Mini Wind Turbine Activity

$7.49

Type

Design a turbine to harness the power of the wind and convert it into electricity. Start with your example build, testing through inquiry and experimentation. Then, iterate new designs and additions to transform the wind turbine into your own unique design.

Create the blades utilizing recycling bin materials. Adjust the angle, pitch and amount of blades to observe the electrical output of your wind turbine. We included plenty of extra components to try different designs.

You need a Phillips-head Screwdriver for this activity pack.
Scroll down to "Things You'll Need" for more info.

 

A Multimeter is necessary for testing.
Get the Mini Wind Turbine Test Kit for best results.
Scroll down to "Things You'll Need" for more info.

Age Range

4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18+

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 their Mini Wind Turbines.

Go Guide:
English: PDF DOCX
Spanish: PDF DOCX
Start here, build your Turbine, and start the Voltage Challenge!

Labs:

Blade Design Lab:
English: PDF DOCX
Spanish: PDF DOCX
Create an experiment to investigate the variables that affect turbine blade design, then use the results to build a better wind turbine! Ages 8+.

Challenges:

Design your turbine to generate the greatest voltage, turn into the wind, or be more environmentally friendly! See the Go Guide documents for challenge instructions.

Voltage Challenge & More:
PDF DOCX
Challenge instructions are included in the Go Guide document.
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.

Other Resources:

 

STEM Rubric:
PDF | DOCX
Use the STEM Rubric to assess any TeacherGeek project.
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 using the activity packs you can purchase on this page?
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.

optional

Reamer

Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.

optional

Mini Hammer

Tap dowels into
other components.

Other Supplies

  • Fan (to create wind)
  • Digital Multimeter (to measure generator voltage)
  • 4x Alligator Clip Leads (optional - to make connecting the meter easier)
  • 2.7 Ohm Resitor (optional - to smooth voltage data)
  • Tape
  • Recycling Bin Materials (for more creative turbine blades)
  • Scissors

Get the Multimeter, Alligator Clip Leads, and Resistors in the Mini Wind Turbine Test Kit!

You have a Maker Cart?
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.

optional

Reamer

Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.

optional

Mini Hammer

Tap dowels into
other components.

Other Supplies

  • Fan (to create wind)
  • 2.7 Ohm Resitor (optional - to smooth voltage data)
  • Tape
  • Recycling Bin Materials (for more creative turbine blades)
You have Bulk TeacherGeek Components?
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.

optional

Reamer

Ream splines (teeth),
from holes so
dowels spin freely.

optional

Mini Hammer

Tap dowels into
other components.

Other Supplies

  • Fan (to create wind)
  • Digital Multimeter (to measure generator voltage)
  • 4x Alligator Clip Leads (optional - to make connecting the meter easier)
  • 2.7 Ohm Resitor (optional - to smooth voltage data)
  • Tape
  • Recycling Bin Materials (for more creative turbine blades)
  • Scissors

Activity Pack Components

What comes with the Mini Wind Turbine?

The table shows what comes in each single kit. To see what comes in a 10-pack, just multiply by 10.
Component Quantity
#10 25mm Screw 1
#10 Hex Nut 1
Chip Board - 22 cm x 5 cm (8.5 in x 2 in) 3
Dowel - 30 cm (12 in) 1
Dowel - 15 cm (6 in) 1
Dowel - 5 cm (2 in) 1
Hole Plate 1
Large Bamboo Project Stick 6
Small Bamboo Project Stick 6
Mini Hub Assemby (Red) 1
Perpendicular Block 2
Small 1.5-3V Motor 1
Small 1.5-3V Motor Mount 1

Science, Math & Engineering Standards

TeacherGeek products fit proposals, grants or lesson plans with ease! Explore more resources below:

 

NGSS Standards Spreadsheet:
PDF DOCX
NGSS standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities.
ITEEA Standards Spreadsheet:
PDF DOCX
ITEEA standards matrix for all TeacherGeek activities.

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