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The Power of the Wind and New Mexico 4-H

The Power of the Wind and New Mexico 4-H. Karen Paige Northern Stars 4-H Club NM 4-H Adult Leaders Forum November 5, 2011. Wind Power Curriculum Basics. Based on national curriculum, not NM curriculum

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The Power of the Wind and New Mexico 4-H

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  1. The Power of the Wind and New Mexico 4-H Karen Paige Northern Stars 4-H Club NM 4-H Adult Leaders Forum November 5, 2011

  2. Wind Power Curriculum Basics • Based on national curriculum, not NM curriculum • Curriculum can be purchased or downloaded at www.4-h.org/curriculum/wind (certain sections only) • Introduces engineering concepts • Involves hands on activities for a range of ages divided into logical sections, for easy group or individual work • Interested 4-H members can take the project further with ideas in curriculum and online

  3. Curriculum Chapters and Activities • Think like an engineer: Design a wind powered boat • Study the wind: Make a wind speed gauge, learn the Beaufort wind scale • Use the wind: Design pinwheels, Lift a load with wind, compare high and low solidity turbines, Wind power and electric motors and generators • Geography and wind: Where does wind blow, Where are wind farms located • Wind in art and design

  4. Chap. 1 -Think like an engineer • Encourage kids to keep a scientific notebook • Introduce a design issue to think about • Activity: make a wind powered boat • Follow Engineering Design Process: • Step 1 Define the problem • Step 2 Research how others have solved it • Step 3 Brainstorm solutions, pick one • Step 4 Create & test prototype • Step 5 Redesign solution • Step 6 Finalize design, make final drawings • Step 7 Communicate design in words and drawings • Step 8 Define new problem and start over

  5. Chap. 2 – Study the wind • Observe wind’s effects • Estimate wind speeds • Use the Beaufort Wind Scale which correlates appearance of wind on land with approximate wind speed • Activity – make a tetraflexagon to help interpret Beaufort Wind Scale

  6. Chap. 3 – Use the wind • Activity – Design a better pinwheel • Things to try: • Make them smaller or larger • Try three fold symmetry, four fold symmetry, more • Try various stiffness of paper • Things to discuss: • Define what “best” means? Faster? Stronger? • Change only one variable at a time

  7. Chap. 3 – Use the wind, to lift a load • Activity – Use the wind to lift a load • Challenge: Design and build a wind turbine to lift at least four pennies in a cup • Use Engineering Design Process • More challenge: Design turbines with high and low solidity and compare • We will try these challenges later on! They were harder than initially expected!

  8. Chap. 3 Use the wind, with a motor/generator • Activity – Turn rotor blades attached to shaft of a motor (use 1.5-3 V motor, available at Radio Shack). Use a multimeter to measure the voltage (potential to make electricity) generated when blades spin. Engine is acting as generator now. Turbines that can generate 1.0 volts can probably light a small LED. We had problems getting a cork to stay on the turbine shaft and blades to stick in the cork. Any ideas?

  9. Chap. 3 Use the wind, with a motor/generator • Activity – Attach battery to motor and watch rotors spin. Engine is acting as a motor now. Take apart a motor and see how the motor works to generate electricity This is how kinetic flashlights work also!

  10. Chap. 3 Use the wind The science behind wind turbines: When electrons flow through a wire a magnetic field is created around it. When a magnetic field moves past a wire, electrons are pushed through it, thereby generating electricity.To generate lots of electricity, many wires are used, a coil of wire.

  11. Chap. 3 – Use the wind When the north pole of a magnet passes a coil, current flows in one direction. When the south pole of a magnet passes a coil, current flows in the opposite direction. When the magnetic field is at 90 degrees to the coil windings, the most electric current is generated. When the magnetic field is parallel to the coil windings no electric current is generated.This cycle causes an alternating current to flow. The voltage and current generated depends on the strength of the magnets, the number of turns of wire in the coils, the distance between the coils and the magnets, and the speed of the magnets passing the coils.

  12. Chap. 4 – Geography and wind • Maps of available wind power and existing wind turbines from U.S. Department of Energy site – www.windpoweringamerica.gov • Discuss what geographic features contribute to strong wind power. • Discuss where wind turbines are located in NM. • A speed of 8 mph (3 m/sec) is needed to start a generator. A speed of 15 mph (7 m/sec) is needed to produce electricity.

  13. Chap. 5 – Wind in art and design • Poetry, literature, kinetic sculptures • Design your own wind machine

  14. How can NM 4-H use this curriculum? Let’s brainstorm! • National curriculum not currently a project in NM 4-H • Excellent club project as a monthly group activity • Individuals could enroll in a Self Determined project – maybe Electricity?

  15. Summary • Excellent hands-on project for individuals and groups • Comprehensive, easy-to-use curriculum • Many resources available on line • Teaches STEM skills • Not a NM 4-H project, yet… • Let’s try the experiments now!

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