Learning Goals
Learning Goals:
- Students will define “clean energy” and explain at least 4 types of alternative energy sources
- Students will compare local energy sources and national energy sources to potential energy sources being used or developed.
- Students will experiment with wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen fuel cell model vehicles to explore alternative fuel sources.
- Students will measure voltage produced and record data in a table format.
- Students will discuss pros and cons of the different types of energy.
Materials List
Handouts
- Engineering Design Process Journals
- Engineering Handout: Criteria & Constraints
- Wind Engineering Test Handout
- Activity Expectations Slides
Classroom Supplies
- Scissors
- Masking tape and/or hot glue guns
- Rulers
- Safety goggles
- 2 Multimeters
Group Supplies (3-4 students)
Wind Turbine Activity
- 3 Straws or dowels
- Thin cardboard (can easily be cut with scissors)
- 1-2 Large box fans
- 1 Windmill stand and drivetrain assembly (may include generator)
- 1 motor per wind turbine stand (if the stand does not have a generator)
- Kidwind protractors
- 1 Kidwind hub (example)
Solar Boat Activity
- Styrofoam
- Plastic bottles
- Cardboard
- Plastic containers
- Plastic bags
- Cardboard tubes
- Foam
- Pool noodles
- Milk cartons
- 1 Solar cell (example, example)
- 1 DC motor (example, example)
- 2-3 Propellers in various styles (must attach to DC motor)
- 1-2 Large watertight troughs (recommend 6″ deep, 12-14″ wide, 48″-60″ long) alternatives: kiddie pool, under the bed storage bins.
- Craft sticks
- Straws
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Activity
- Hydrogen fuel cell model (example)
Important Links
- Lesson Plan
- U.S. Energy Information Administration website
- Slideshow: Wind Turbine
- Video: Energy Island, Samso, Denmark
- Book: Energy Island by Allen Drummond
- Optional: Book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (Young Readers version)
- Wind Turbine PVC pipe design
- Video: What could hydrogen do for you?
- Video: Fuse School: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Video: Science Garage: “How the Toyota Mirai Charges in 5 minutes: Hydrogen Fuel Cells”
- Video: Driving a Hydrogen Car: Is This Really “The Future?”
- Video: Are hydrogen-powered cars the future? Academics and advocates say yes