Phenomena: Moving Water Can Generate Electricity
The gravitational potential energy of water to harness kinetic moving water to turn turbines which generate electrical energy.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Water Power
This lesson introduced Water Power by engaging students’ prior knowledge of energy, electricity, and water. It is adapted from NEED’s “Energy of Moving Water” materials
Lesson 2: The Basics of Energy, Electricity, and Water
This lesson allows student groups to jigsaw background information on energy, electricity, and water. It is adapted from NEED’s “Energy of Moving Water” materials.
Lesson 3: Exploring Electromagnets
Students build and test an electromagnet to increase their understanding of the relationship between magnets and electricity and how magnets can create energy.
Lesson 4: History of Hydroelectric Power/What Does a Dam Do?
Students will learn about the history of hydropower and the types of dams in use today, using the Hoover Dam as a case study.
Lesson 5: How Variables Impact Hydroelectric Output
This hands-on lesson uses a gravity-fed hydroelectric water source with two different piping setups for students to test the effect of penstock size and elevation drop on hydroelectric output.
Lesson 6: Turbine Blade Design Engineering
This teacher-adapted lesson is based on the NEED Project’s Energy of Moving Water unit where students apply engineering design to determine the voltage produced by hub/blade combinations and how the number of turbine blades affects electrical output.
Lesson 7: Future Water Power Technologies
This teacher-adapted lesson is based on the NEED Project’s Energy of Moving Water unit where students learn about new technologies being developed in the hydropower industry.
Lesson 8: Hydropower Dams: Learning Through Stakeholder Research
Students explore the risks and benefits of hydropower by assuming the role of a stakeholder, conducting research, and presenting to the class their findings. Students learn through taking notes on a T chart and comparing and contrasting arguments for and against building a dam.