1. Wind Turbinesin the Classroom Hands-On Alternative Energy Engineering Matt Hardy matth@edenpr.orgGrade 3 Teacher, Eden Prairie Schools Joe Rand joe@kidwind.org KidWindProject kidwind.org
2. Agenda Project Background Current state of wind energy (U.S. & Globally) Joe Rand, Kidwind.org Classroom Activities Build the Tower Engineer the Blades Turbines in Tandem (Wind Farm)
3. My Background BA, Computer Science, U of M, Morris Web Development M. Ed., U of M, Twin Cities 3rd Grade, Eden Prairie (6 yrs.)
4. Project Background Go Green/Impact Project “High-Tech Environmental Engineering” 2-3Weeks Hands-on, inquiry based, highly motivational Funded by a generous grant from the Foundation for Eden Prairie School (FEPS) Tied to Magnets and Electricity curriculum “Alternative” energy is becoming mainstream
15. Daily Plan Build the base (tower) Free inquiry: cut/glue/test – does it spin? Controlled design: independent variable Discuss “ideal” designs “Turbines 2.0 ” Redesign, with advice from peers Other testing devices Day 1: Day 2: Day 3-5: Day 6: Day 7-10:
17. Part 2: BladeDesign Students design blades out of various materials Try to make their rotor turn
18. Measuring Performance Multimeters (volts = speed) LEDs - “The Squid” (volts) Water Pump (power: volts x amps) The true test of a turbine’s utility
19. Test YourBlades Always uncrimp/recrimp hub Don’t press/pull dowels too hard Danger zone = sideways Wear safety goggles when testing Use multimeter to quantify speed
20. ImproveYourBlades SHORTEN THE BLADES - No bigger than fan CHANGE THE PITCH - Try flatter (Twist?) USE FEWER BLADES - 2, 3 or 4 blades. USE LIGHTER MATERIAL - balsa wood rules! SMOOTH SURFACES - watch tape & rough edges FIND MORE WIND - Use a utility fan BLADE SHAPE - Narrow tips
23. Polarity Determine positive/negative wires Red/Black don’t matter! Test turbine with multimeter: Red-RedBlack-Black If the voltage reading is positive (no “-” sign), then the red wire is positive Otherwise, the black wire is positive Put a piece of tape on the “+” wire to remember DO NOT CHANGE THE PITCH OF THE BLADES
24. Wait for the Wind Watch the weather forecast for a windy way Head out to the field! Hold onto those blades (hand on the hub)! Arrange the turbines in a line, facing the wind
26. Connect the Turbines Place a “jumper wire” between each turbine. Start at one end of the line Clip + to - , + to - , + to - , + to - … until you reach the last turbine. Connect a LONG wire from the last turbine’s free wire back toward the first turbine. Connect a multimeter to the first turbine’s free wire and the long wire from the last turbine. Release the hubs. Stand back and admire them!
