Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power

US DOE WInd Turbines
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Intended Grade Level(s):
7-8
Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Wind Energy
Learning Goal(s):

• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which wind turbine configuration will generate the most power

Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-PS3-1,
MS-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
6-8.RST.3
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Lesson 5 Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power.pdf
PDF icon Student Sheet 5 -Measuring Power Generation in Wind Turbines.pdf
PDF icon Wind Assessment - How windy is it where you live.pdf
PDF icon windbasicpvcwindturbine.pdf
File National and State Wind Rating Maps.pptx
Description:

Now that students are familiar with how mechanical electricity generation works, they will build a wind turbine powered by a box fan. Different teams will test different turbine variables to see how the amount of electrical power is affected. After each team completes testing their chosen variable, the highest wind turbine configurations from each team will tested against one another. The turbine that generates the most power from this lesson will then compete with a photovoltaic cell of approximately equivalent cost to see whether wind or solar is the most economical (in the next lesson). 

Science Kit Material(s) Used:
Advanced Wind Turbine Kit
Multimeter
Other Material(s) Used:
Paper handouts