Exploring Different Forms of Water Power

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Learning Goals

Learning Goals

  1. Model different ways water can be used to generate electricity.

Essential Question:

  1. What are the different forms of renewable water power besides hydro electric dams?
Materials List

Handouts

Group Supplies (2-4 per group – one activity per group)

  • Large whiteboard or poster board
  • Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy Exploration Kit,
  • Kidwind Firefly
    • Kidwind Firefly kit
    • 4×4 square paper and scissors or propeller
    • pencil or other mount
  • NEED Model Wave Generator
    • Clear plastic tubing
    • 2 cylindrical magnets
    • Fishing line
    • Hot glue gun
    • Magnet wire
    • Pool noodle slice (3-4cm thick)
    • Sandpaper
    • Galvanometer
    • Waterproof duct tape
    • Anchoring mechanism or object
    • Alligator clips
    • Ruler
    • Scissors or utility knife
    • Marker
    • Large trash can or tub of water for testing
  • Air Buoy
    • Bucket with hole cut in the bottom
    • Plastic tube (i.e. tennis ball container)
    • Motor
    • Fan blades
    • Razor
    • Hot glue gun
    • Pool noodle
    • Corrugated plastic
    • Large trash can for testing

Important Links

Lesson 7 of 8 / Time: 3 periods of 45-60 mins

This Lesson appears as a part of the following:
Water Power Implementation Toolkit

Students will build a model of a Marine Wave Generator (Kidwind Offshore Floating Wind Buoy, NEED’s Model Wav Generator Buoy, or Air Buoy) and test it to collect data and observe how water power is converted into electricity.

 

Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

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