CONTEXT:

The Earth has provided people with many resources for energy throughout history. While many of these resources have been exploited, other excellent sources of power have been ignored. The wind is one of these overlooked energy sources.

Everyone has witnessed the positive and negative effects of moving air or wind on our structures and the environment. Human beings have attempted to harness this invisible power to make their lives easier for nearly 5,000 years. In Egypt, wind was first used to propel watercraft.  In ancient Babylon, stationary wind devices were used to convert wind into useful forms of energy and motion. Wind turbines and windmills later emerged throughout Asia and Europe.  Since the 1300's the Dutch have used windmills to drain land that lies below sea level.  Farmers throughout the world have used windmills to pump ground water to feed livestock and to sustain crops.  In the early nineteenth century, fossil fuels such as coal and oil became the standard source of energy.  With the invention of the steam engine, the use of wind power and other alternate sources declined.

Today, there is renewed interest in wind power because of the devastating environmental effects of fossil fuel power. Wind has been an ineffective economic source of energy, but new methods are making wind power a more efficient, competitive and promising source of clean alternative energy.  As we move into the twenty-first century, it will become more apparent that alternative energies are essential, not just desirable. Our cultures are feeling the effects of years of environmental abuse, but new ways of packaging, shipping and recycling can make a difference. Our next task is to control our energy consumption. Can you think of other sources of clean and natural energy? How are these other energies used?

CHALLENGE:

EXPLORATORY
Research and model a historical wind machine. Display how a person?s life was made easier because the machine was available.
INTERMEDIATE

• Design and model a wind-powered sculpture that is appealing to the eye, is environmentally friendly, and incorporates some form of sound.
• Design and make a safe toy for a young child that is powered by the wind. Your design should be some type of mechanism that incorporates movement and color.

ADVANCED
Design and make a wind machine that utilizes the wind as an energy source (e.g., an electric fan) and is capable of producing work (moving a given load).

MATERIALS:

EXPLORATORY

• Cardboard
• Paper, various weights/colors
• Masking tape
• Drinking straws
• Craft sticks/Balsa wood
• Kite string
• Other found materials
• Scissors, glue, fasteners, etc.

INTERMEDIATE

• Cardboard
• Paper. various weights/colors
• Masking tape
• Drinking straws
• Paint, crayons, markers
• Rubber bands
• Craft sticks/Balsa wood
• Kite string
• Found materials (cans, bottles, recycled items)
• Bells, noise makers etc.
• Scissors, glue, fasteners, etc.

ADVANCED

• Cardboard
• Paper 8.5" x 11"
• Masking tape
• Drinking straws
• Drinking cups
• Straight pins
• Pencil with eraser
• Kite string
• Stopwatch
• Scissors or X-acto knife
• Glue
• Marbles

CRITERIA:

Your success on this Challenge will be based on your completion of the activities below. Three general criteria for your performance will be: your participation in the activity; the accuracy of your measurement and model construction; and the performance of your design.  Your teacher will help you understand how your performance will be graded.

EXPLORATORY

• Locate and document at least three examples of wind machines from the past.
• Write a brief paragraph that summarizes the benefits that each wind machine provided to human beings during the specific time period.
• Choose one of the historical wind machines, and provide an explanation of its operation.
• Construct a model of the chosen wind machine demonstrating how it made life easier.
• Test and present your design.

INTERMEDIATE
ONE:

• Research windmills and other wind-powered machines.
• Research sculptures, mobiles and other three-dimensional art.
• Gather found materials, recycled items and sound devices (bells, noise makers).
• Draw several sketches of a wind-powered sculpture; choose the best design and illustrate what it will look like in a garden or park environment.
• Construct your design using only the materials provided.
• Test and present your design.

TWO:

• Research wind powered machines and vehicles.
• Brainstorm ideas for a wind-powered toy, safe for a child.
• Sketch several plans that will use color and movement effectively.
• Design your project; gather necessary materials, construct the project.
• Test and present your design.

ADVANCED

• Research wind-powered machines, structures and other devices affected by wind.
• Research and review simple machines and how they help to make life easier.
• Brainstorm ideas to use wind power to transfer energy so that a given load may be lifted, pushed, or pulled from one point to another.
• Use those ideas to design and construct a win-driven vehicle.  Decide upon a set of materials that all participants must use.  A fan can be the wind source.
• Test and redesign, if necessary, so that the greatest load will be transported the greatest distance in any given amount of time.