Teams design and build a windmill, under budget, that can lift an object. The groups evaluate and reflect on their own design, then on those produced by other teams. The goal is to determine which design is the most efficient, functioning windmill, able to lift the load and stay together in the wind for at least one minute. 

Concepts

wind, energy, engineering design, design

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have teams identify the potential and kinetic energy within their designs
• Create a class windmill that takes into account the results of the individual team windmills

Classroom Considerations

• The constant wind source needs to be placed in such a way that no additional air currents will affect the windmills
• Must create a budget and cost of materials prior to the activity

Pros

• Aligned to a wide number of grade level standards
• Engaging activity

Cons

• There is an inconsistency in the distance the wind source will be from the windmills
• Blade shape construction may be a difficult task to accomplish with the available materials