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Lesson 10: Energy - 1 Grades 9-12 (could adapt these ideas for K-8) |
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| Possible Questions How do we use the wind to help us in our every day lives? Where does wind-energy come from? What is the relationship between motion and energy? And with "useful" energy? Teacher help: Beginning/introduction: Whole class introduction with questions; Compare how Rickey sculptures use wind energy to produce motion. Directed discussion - why the needs for renewable energy use, drawbacks of wind-energy (variable, not much for each “wind-energy generator”) Middle: group discussions and writing their ideas about the questions raised - these could focus on the mechanics of wind-mills, how rickey sculptures direct the wind energy, etc (Hands-on) Students construct a Rickey-style windmill Summing up the experience: Whole class discussions How effective were the models in producing motion? - how would you improve your models? (note, not every group need be successful) Is efficiency important? - Can we make them better? Extensions: How much energy can we produce from the wind? How do the new “wind-farms” compare with “old-fashioned” windmills? Are we going to need more “wind farms” in the future? Can we compare wind-energy with other forms of energy? (renwable and non-renewable) Where does the wind come from? |
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