CURRICULUM SUGGESTIONS
FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Participation: This is a project for the whole class, though the activity could also be done in smaller groups.
Object: To learn about and understand the wind and wind power.
Wind: Begin the class with some simple questions about the wind. What do the students think that wind is? Where do they think it comes from? Talk about the effects wind can have on the earth and on communities. What problems can wind cause? What are some of its benefits?
Plan some walks where the students can observe the wind. Using their senses, what do they notice? From their own experience, can the students identify any trends in the wind’s movement? Why do they think these trends might exist? Does the wind vary by season? Does land topography matter? Does proximity to the ocean make a difference?
Explain that wind is a kind of solar energy and that temperature is a large part of what dictates the air’s movement. You can use our articles to help describe these concepts. Ask the students to think of some examples to illustrate this: hot air balloons, for example, or the way air moves in a house (are attics usually hotter or colder than basements?). What other things can the students think of that might affect the wind?
Wind Power: Ask the students where electric power comes from. Do they know exactly what happens when they flip a light switch?
Explain briefly how some types of power are produced and distributed. Then explain why wind power is different.
Ask the students what they think is beneficial about electricity generated by the wind. Given what they have learned about the wind and about power, what factors seem important to consider when building a wind farm? Where might a wind farm be situated to gather the most wind? Why?
Activity: Though the students won’t actually be creating their own power, they can site and design a wind farm, using pinwheels the students have made. Together, talk about the process of wind energy production and what things need to be considered when constructing a wind farm.
FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Participation: This is a project that students can work on together or in small groups.
Object: To think about the implications of power production, taking into account the economy, the environment, land type, and community opinions.
- Tell the class that they are part of a community that will settle in an undeveloped land. They must come up with ways to generate power.
- Lead the students in a discussion about the implications of each power production method. For instance, what resources are available? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
- Organize small groups of students to research one of the possible power options to delve deeper into the process and its effects.
- Optional: ask students (individually or in groups) to write reports on how different energy production methods actually work.
- Have the groups present their findings and give an argument for the power method they have been assigned.
- Discuss the class community’s energy options, weighing the impacts.
- Using ballots, tell the students to vote on the source of power of their choice. Lead a discussion on the results of the vote.
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