Mini Wind Turbine Activity

SKU: TGMWT
Mini Wind Turbine Activity - Shop 4-H
Mini Wind Turbine Activity - Shop 4-H
Mini Wind Turbine Activity - Shop 4-H

Mini Wind Turbine Activity

SKU: TGMWT

Design a turbine to harness the power of the wind and convert it into electricity. Start with your example build, testing through inquiry and experimentation. Then, iterate new designs and additions to transform the wind turbine into your own unique design.

Create the blades utilizing recycling bin materials. Adjust the angle, pitch and amount of blades to observe the electrical output of your wind turbine. Then use our Testing Kit to measure just how much energy your wind turbine creates. We included plenty of extra components to try different designs.

This activity is a favorite for kitchen table innovation, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, scout troops, camps, 4-H groups, and maker spaces. It's a wonderful activity for parents, grandparents or teachers to work on with their kids.

This educational product pairs well with the Chapter 4 activity in The Power of the Wind Curriculum and is suitable for all ages, however youth 12 and under may require adult supervision.  

Activity Documents

Click on the flowchart to view documents from each category.
Always download the PDF version of documents (unless you need to edit them - then download DOCX).
 
Go Guide:
Go Guide:
PDF DOCX
Give it to your students and go! This is the essential document to get students started with the Mini Wind Turbine, and it culminates in the Voltage Challenge.
Labs:
Blade Design Lab:
PDF DOCX
Create an experiment to investigate the variables that affect turbine blade design, then use the results to build a better wind turbine! Ages 8+.
Challenges:
Go Guide:
PDF DOCX
Design your turbine to generate the greatest voltage, turn into the wind, or be more environmentally friendly! See the Go Guide document for challenge instructions.
Engineering Notebook:
Simple Version
Full Version
Available at two different learning levels, Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities.
Other Resources:

 

STEAM Market-It Challenge:
PDF DOCX
Add the STEAM Market-It Challenge to any completed activity to teach students how to turn their design into a retail product. Students will learn the 4 'Ps' of marketing - Product, Placement, Price and Promotion. Students have the option of completing a commercial, a billboard or retail packaging as a summative assessment.
Engineering Notebooks:
Simple Version
Full Version
Available at two different learning levels, Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities.

Optional Tools

Make even more innovative Turbines with these optional tools!

Multi-Cutter

Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items,
etc.

Reamer

Ream teeth from
holes so dowels
spin freely.

Screw Driver

Drive screws
into holes.

Mini Hammer

Tap dowels into
other components.

Slip Joint Pliers

Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.

 

    Mini Wind Turbine Components

     

    What comes with Mini Wind Turbine?

    1x Hole Plate
    2x Perpendicular Blocks
    1x Nut (#10)
    1x Screw (#10 25 mm)
    1x Mini Hub Screw
    1x Mini Hub Cover (red)
    1x Mini Hub Base(red)
    1x Motor (1.5V - 3V)
    1x Motor Mount (1.5V - 3V)
    3x Chipboard (22 cm x 5 cm)
    6x Project Sticks (250 mm)
    6x Project Sticks (100 mm)
    1x dowel (300 mm)
    1x Dowel (150 mm)
    1x Dowel (50 mm)

     

    This is an educational product and not a toy. It is intended for use by ages 6 and above with adult supervision.

      Science, Math & Engineering Standards

      Our engineering kits fit proposals, grants or lesson plans with ease! Explore more resources below:

       

      NGSS Standards Spreadsheet:
      PDF DOCX
      NGSS standards matrix for all activities.
      ITEEA Standards Spreadsheet:
      PDF DOCX
      ITEEA standards matrix for all activities.
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      Regular price $7.99
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