Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
Curriculum Development Final Report: Grades 7-10 Math and Science
The projects and activities contained within include 11 projects and activities for grade 7-10 science classes, 8 projects and activities for grades 7-10 math classes, and 2 general projects suitable for a variety of classes/subjects. Information and websites referenced are noted at the top of each project or activity. Activities are separated according to subject.
Preface:
Notice and Acknowledgements
Abstract and Keywords
Focus Area and Comments
Description of projects and activities, with links to download:
General:
The History of Wind Use: Students will use the Internet to examine how humans have been using the wind to accomplish tasks for a very long time. Research questions are included. Time Frame: 1-2 days
Current Local Wind Projects: Students will use the Internet to examine how humans have been using the wind to accomplish tasks for a very long time. Research questions are included. Time Frame: 1-2 days
Science:
Wind in Our World Poster: This is a research and demonstration based carousel activity geared toward lower level classes. In teams of 2 or 3, students will gather materials from one of a variety of topics about the use of wind as a renewable energy resource in our world. Each team will become an “expert” on that topic. They will put together a colorful poster on the topic they have chosen and present the information they have learned to the class. Time Frame: 3-5 days
What’s Inside a Wind Turbine?: The purpose of this assignment is to introduce to students the mechanical parts that make up the inside of a wind turbine. A diagram and glossary are provided for the students to examine and learn from. A future lab assignment will involve building a wind turbine that will light up a light bulb. Time Frame: 1 class
Wind Energy Basics: This exercise is oriented towards basic and inclusion classes. Students will use the Web to gather information about the use of wind and wind energy in the world. Questions to research are included. Time Frame: 1-2 days
How Wind Works: An activity on wind energy basics and how wind power is used. Students use the Internet to gather information and answer questions on wind energy. A good pair and share activity. Time Frame: 2 days
What Is Wind?: A research and lab activity that examines the properties of wind. Additional questions considered: Why is it windy at the beach? Time Frame: 2-3 days
Build a Simple Anemomether: In this activity students will build a simple wind anemometer to measure wind speed and make it work with the energy of the wind. It is an example of what is called a vertical-axis wind collector. Students will build an anemometer, count the revolutions per minute of their wind instrument and then use the circumference formula to find the wind velocity. Time Frame: 2-3 days
The Simplest Wind Machine Ever: Students will learn that the basic pinwheel they played with as a child is so much more than a toy. Activity includes creative thinking towards design analysis and improvement. Time Frame: 2 days
Design a Machine that Does Work: Project requires that students have a scale model of a working windmill available. Kits can be purchased. Students build windmills and then harness the mechanical power of the turning blades to accomplish some task. Time Frame: 1 marking period
Make a Toy that Runs on Wind Power: A design and construction project that allows students to use their imaginations and have some fun. Students design and construct an original toy that works in the wind. Time Frame: 1-2 weeks
The Best Blades for the Job: Project requires that a small wind turbine with rotor be available to test the effectiveness of different types of blade constructions. Electrical output will be measured. Working windmill towers are available through various educational catalogues. Students will design, construct, test and evaluate their ideas. Time Frame: 1 week
Let's Light up Some Lights!: A three part project for groups or the whole class.
Part 1 has students building a working generator that uses wind power to make electricity.
Part 2 involves an exploration of blade design with respect to electrical output.
Part 3 provides a shocking and dramatic demonstration of the effectiveness of wind generated electrical power. Students will build a scale model of their community, or some part of their community and light it with the electricity generated by their scale model wind turbine.
Time Frame: most of a school yearMath:
Using Electricity Creates Pollution, You Know!: A 5-part investigative activity that correlates the amount of electricity used at home and at school to the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Requires algebraic computations. Time Frame: Total 5 parts: 1-2 weeks
Pollution Comparisons: Activity uses data collected to compare the quantities of pollutant produced by different types of fossil fuels in the generation of our electricity. Activity requires some research, reporting, and graphing. Time Frame: 1-2 days
The U.S. and the Rest of the World - Let's Compare Electricity Usage!: Requires work with circle graphs and percents. Working from a data chart, student will compare electrical generation and usage across the globe. Time Frame: 1-2 days
How Much Electricity Can the Wind Generate?: Activity requires students to be able to calculate the area of a circle, construct a circle graph and use basic formulas. Using these tools, students will calculate the amount of electricity a single wind turbine can generate with different wind speeds and rotor blade lengths. Time Frame: 1-2 days
Scale Models of Wind Towers: Project involves drawing a scale model of a lattice tower and constructing an accurate scale model based on their drawing. Special attention will be given to the role of angles and triangles in the strength of construction. By use of comparison, students will draw conclusions on attributes that contribute to strength of construction. Time Frame: 1-2 weeks
Wind Obstructions at Your School: Students will have to go outside to do this project. After drawing a site plan of the school, they will use the length of shadows and the concept of proportionality to calculate the heights of wind obstructions. Time Frame: 1 week, less if work is shared by teams
Calculate Your Tower Height: Using site plans and the formula provided, students will calculate the height a wind turbine would have to be to effectively catch the wind at a given site. Time Frame: 1 day
Feasibility Study: This is a long-term project that uses all the skills learned from previous projects and activities. Though written for Southeastern Regional, it can be adapted for your school. Project involves estimating the average wind speed at the school, calculating the height the wind tower would need to be, deciding on a tower location, costing the price of construction, and presenting the information to school administrators. Time Frame: 1 school year