Curriculum Activities Developed by Massachusetts Teachers

Topics: Wind, Renewable Energy

Source: Runkle School

Download Activity in MS Word File

Grade Levels: 7-8

Learning Strategies: Hands-on; data collection

Frameworks Connections:

Science and Technology/Engineering

• Earth Science (Grades 7-8)

  The Earth’s Sources of Energy

• Physical Sciences (Physics) (Grades 7-8)

  Heat Energy (Chemical; Mechanical; Thermal; Electromagnetic)

Cost: Free

Description: One teacher developed a curriculum unit for middle school students that focuses on the design, construction, redesign and performance evaluation of a wind turbine. The unit includes eleven lessons that begin with a study of energy use and resources and concludes with a study of electric circuits that could be powered by a wind turbine. Students have an opportunity to test the performance of their turbine under various wind conditions and to test the performance of redesigned wind turbine blades.