Throughout The Power of the Wind curriculum, you will guide youth to use the engineering design process to find solutions to problems related to wind power. Youth work on teams to analyze problems and find solutions that balance options and constraints. They test what they've made to see how it works, then make adjustments and test further, as necessary. Although designed for groups, this project adapts for individual project work with an adult. Throughout the design process, as an adult facilitator, you will cultivate independence and mastery by guiding and asking questions in a caring environment. The challenges are designed to assist youth to learn by doing and apply findings to local community needs.
As you prepare to lead group activities:
Read the activity in the youth guide.
Prepare for a discussion that will generate a large number of ideas.
If time allows, try the activities yourself before you do them with youth.
Introduce youth to the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. Point out the remarks throughout the youth guide from Sue Larson, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and Assistant Dean and Director of the Women and Engineering Program.
Use the maps and tools at the National Renewable Energies Laboratory to encourage youth to explore wind energy resources in the United States. Help them analyze the information they find.
Weather Wiz Kids: You can use this web site for information and discussion about wind and its causes.
The History of Wind Power: Early History through 1875. Learn about the history of wind power and talk with youth about the developments over time.
Wind power in the 20th Century: The 20th Century marked large scale generation of electricity through the power of the wind.
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living:This encyclopedia is a large, free, on-line resource aimed at providing accurate information on living in harmony with our planet, particularly with regard to green energy and architecture. It is part of The Worlds of David Darling website and is maintained and updated on a full-time daily basis by the astronomer and author David Darling.
Multimeter Tutorial: Solar Schoolhouse: View this video for the basics on how to use a digital multimeter.
How Stuff Works: View the visual representation of how wind power works.
All About Energy Quest: This animated resource can be introduced to the youth you are working with. They can explore videos, learn about renewable energies, and think about how to reduce their energy usage.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): Learn about NREL's research and development of renewable fuels and electricity that advance national energy goals to change the way we power our homes, businesses, and cars.
Windustry promotes progressive renewable energy solutions and empowers communities to develop wind energy as an environmentally sustainable, community-owned asset.
Chapter 4 How Do Geography and Community Influence Wind Power Projects?
Wind with Miller: This resource can be used to explain the cause of wind. Have youth view the Danish Wind Industry's animation to learn about wind and its causes.
U.S. Department of Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy: This web site has information about individual states, publications, videos, and web resources. Encourage youth to research why some states have more installed wind power capacity than others.
Wind Powering America: Wind Energy for Schools: Here you will find information about the Wind for Schools Project, where school wind projects are located across the United States, where you can find higher education or continuing education wind programs, teaching materials, and informational resources.
Chapter 5 How Does Wind Inspire Creativity and Design?
National Gallery of Art: View the art of Rembrandt and his depiction of dutch style windmills. Encourage youth to compare modern wind turbine photography to windmill landscapes of the late 1800's.
Theo Jansen has created Strandbeests, a unique "species" that moves by wind power and can survive on its own. Check out the videos of his creation.
The Futures Channel: Connecting Learning to the Real World. View a short film on the Wind Business. Learn what it takes to engineer these state-of-the-art wind farms.
The NEED Project: The mission of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, businesses, government, and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. Find the link to their monthly newsletter, Career Currents, and share the newsletters with youth.
GreenLearning designs premier learning resources for Canada's innovative teachers. Help youth participate in their own learning while gaining a more holistic and hopeful understanding of today's complex energy and environmental issues.
Check out EcoLogic Lofts online: A new condominium residence in Chicago. They are seeking LEED Certification and plan to utilize many green features to provide stylish homes that reduce residents' carbon footprint. Talk with youth about LEED Certification. What do they think it means? In addition, encourage them to think about the engineering design process as it relates to the development of this new condominium.
Cielo Wind Power: Get answers to frequently asked questions about wind power.
