Wind Pump 2.0
The whole class is at the edge of their seats – staring – as turbine blades tremble, gain speed, and start to whirl! Gears are spinning faster and faster as the cylinder pulls in water, then pushes it out. It’s working – you’re pumping water! You try different blade designs, gear ratios, isolate variables, and raid the recycle bin for blade materials. With each new design, your understanding grows. Challenges and optional labs push your designs to new heights. Get pumped for alternative energy with the Wind Pump!
This updated (2.0) version of the original TeacherGeek Wind Pump has been revamped to encourage kids to make even more innovative designs. The original version is discontinued, but you can find the original documents here.
The Reamer is included, but you must supply the Phillips-head Screwdriver.
Scroll down to "Things You'll Need" for more info.
This activity was recently updated! Check your label to make sure you're on the right page.
Click here to go to the original Wind Pump page! (You're in the wrong place.)
You're in the right place! Scroll down to find documents and videos.
Age Range
Customize this activity for the highlighted ages with tons of free labs and challenges!
This is an educational product and not a toy. Adult supervision is required.
Videos
Documents
Click on the flowchart to view documents from each category.
Go Guide:
Give it to your students and go! This is the essential document to get students started with the Wind Pump, and it culminates in the Steady Wind Challenge.
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Go Guide: PDF | DOCX |
Start here! Build your Wind Pump, evolve your design, and begin an engineering challenge! |
Labs:
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Energy & Power Lab: PDF | DOCX |
How powerful is your pump, and how does it transform energy? Answer these questions, and more, in this optional lab. Ages 14+. |
Challenges:
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Steady Wind Challenge | Variable Wind Challenge | Elevation Challenge | Environmental Challenge |
These challenges are embedded right in the Go Guide! You don't need to download any extra documents. |
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Engineering Notebook: Simple Version Full Version |
Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities. |
Other Resources:
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STEM Rubric: PDF | DOCX |
Use the STEM Rubric to assess any TeacherGeek project. |
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STEAM Market-It Challenge: PDF | DOCX |
Add the STEAM Market-It Challenge to any completed TeacherGeek activity to teach students how to turn their TeacherGeek design into a retail product. Students will learn the 4 'Ps' of marketing - Product, Placement, Price and Promotion. Students have the option of completing a commercial, a billboard or retail packaging as a summative assessment. |
|
Engineering Notebooks: Simple Version Full Version |
Available at two different learning levels, TeacherGeek Engineering Notebooks are designed to help students cycle through the Design & Engineering Process and help them innovate and invent new designs. Use an Engineering Notebook page for each iteration of design. We recommend keeping extra copies of this on-hand for kids during activities. |
Things You'll Need
You're going to need some stuff, but don't sweat it! You probably have it already.
Click a tab below to choose how you will complete this activity - that determines what you'll need.
You're in the right tab!
TeacherGeek Tools
REQUIRED
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
optional
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
INCLUDED!
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- Fan (To provide wind)
- 2 Cups & Water (You'll pump water from one cup to the other)
- Scissors (To cut Slide Stop)
- Duct Tape
- Stopwatch
- Recycling Bin Materials (What can you use for turbine blades?)
You're in the right tab!
You will need to pre-cut the dowels for this activity, or your kids can cut them (with adult supervision).
TeacherGeek Tools
REQUIRED
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
REQUIRED!
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
REQUIRED!
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- Fan (To provide wind)
- 2 Cups & Water (You'll pump water from one cup to the other)
- Scissors (To cut Slide Stop)
- Duct Tape
- Stopwatch
- Recycling Bin Materials (What can you use for turbine blades?)
You're in the right tab!
Make sure you have the right components - check the Go Guide (see above).
You will need to pre-cut the dowels for this activity, or your kids can cut them (with adult supervision).
TeacherGeek Tools
REQUIRED
Screw Driver
Drive screws into holes.
optional
Slip Joint Pliers
Grab nuts, bend
wires, etc.
REQUIRED!
Multi-Cutter
Cut dowels, strips,
recycling bin items, etc.
REQUIRED!
Reamer
Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.
optional
Mini Hammer
Tap dowels into
other components.
Other Supplies
- Fan (To provide wind)
- 2 Cups & Water (You'll pump water from one cup to the other)
- Scissors (To cut Slide Stop)
- Duct Tape
- Stopwatch
- Recycling Bin Materials (What can you use for turbine blades?)
Activity Pack Components
What comes with the Wind Pump?
The table shows what comes in each single kit. To see what comes in a 10-pack, just multiply by 10.
Science, Math & Engineering Standards
TeacherGeek products fit proposals, grants or lesson plans with ease! Explore more resources below:
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NGSS Standards Spreadsheet: PDF | DOCX |
NGSS standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities. |
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ITEEA Standards Spreadsheet: PDF | DOCX |
ITEEA standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities. |
