Wind Pump Activity 2.0

$17.98

Type:

TeacherGeek is pumped about environmental engineering with this amazing STEM | STEAM wind turbine pump activity. This physical, interactive activity combines scientific concepts of work, fluid mechanics, simple machines and aerodynamics with an environmental engineering edge. Great for classrooms, clubs or your backyard, it's a true STEM | STEAM | Maker experience. Kids watch in awe as their wind-driven turbines power the geared transmission to operate a hydraulic pump, moving water from one level to another. Explore alternative energy methods through the engineering & design process, as blade materials, angle and pitch are adjusted and redesigned using recycling bin components or 3D printables. Utilized by countless schools, programs and Google for their annual Wind Challenge, the TeacherGeek Wind Pump is an engineering marvel - and undeniable value. A wind stand is necessary for this project - purchase separately or construct your own!

At A Glance:

  • With TeacherGeek, kids design and build their own hydraulic-powered, geared Wind Pump using real tools, environmental engineering and fluid pressure
  • Features FREE document resources - build guides, labs and engineering + design challenges to inspire competitive innovation
  • Compatible with recycling bin components, arts + crafts elements, 3D printers or additional materials for endless solutions
  • Encourages creativity, critical thinking, problem solving - empowers kids to become inventors, engineers and architects
  • Explores concepts of hydraulic + pneumatic power, work, fluid mechanics, simple machines, aerodynamics, environmental engineering, renewable energy

Age Level:

This is an educational product, not a toy. It is intended for use by ages 9 and above with adult supervision.  

Additional Materials:

Other materials (recycling bin stuff, or whatever else you have available), arts & crafts elements, tape, scissors
Materials for blades (e.g. cereal boxes, chip board, card stock)
Fan 
TeacherGeek Tool Set (SKU: 1823-84—This can be re-used, and shared by students)
 

Documents:

Download the Build Guide:

Wind Pump Build Guide
Basic build for the Wind Pump

Blade and Hub Build
Build guide for the turbine's blades

Wind Stand Build Guide
Build Guide for pump's stand

Download the Wind Stand Build Guide:

Build Guide - PDF
Build Guide - Editable Word Document

Download the Fluid Power Lab:

Fluid Power Lab - PDF
Fluid Power Lab Answer Key - PDF, password-protected

Download the Engineering & Design Challenges:

Simple Engineering Notebook - PDF
Engineering Notebook - PDF

Example Wind Lift Engineering Notebook
Example Wind Lift Engineering Notebook Pages

Other Useful Resources:

TeacherGeek Quick Start Guide
Guide for using TeacherGeek products

Printable Ruler
See how your Wind Pump measures up

Printable Protractor
Find the angle on your blades

Types of Wind Turbines
Helpful handout to explain the different types of wind turbines

Videos:

Wind Water Pump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3z1ibvV0L8

Wind Turbine Water Pump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTsEB7yuuBE