The Low Carbon Partnership
Solar Power
QCA Unit: |
D&T-6C (Adapted) |
Subject: Design & Technology
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Designing and building a model wind turbine |
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About the Unit: |
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| The focus of the unit is to design, make and develop a model of a wind turbine. This unit enables pupils to gain an understanding of 1.An important mechanism that produces electrical energy i.e. a turbine and generator. 2.Then, using belts and pulleys, to learn how to increase the amount of energy generated with a simple gear system. Pupils can then be introduced to computer control in the context of commercial wind turbines. |
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Where the Unit Fits In: |
Expectations
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| This unit is made up of some of the lessons from the Our Planet series on Wind Power for Key stage 2. If you are planning to teach the whole series of lessons, then you need not look at this document - it is specifically designed for those teachers wishing to simply teach the Design and Technology strand. Please note that if you are planning to teach the Science or Geography unit alongside it, you will find some of the same lessons used because they cover two subjects (e.g. D & T and Geography). In this case combine the 2 units and teach the lessons consecutively. Prior Learning It is helpful if the pupils have: •learnt about electrical circuits and a variety of electrical components •made models with rotating parts e.g. wheeled vehicles and a variety of models made with construction kits This unit builds on Design and Technology Units 2A ‘Vehicles’, 3C ‘Moving monsters’, 4C ‘Torches’, 4D ‘Alarms’ and 5C ‘Moving toys’. It also builds on Science Units 2F ‘Using electricity’, 2E 'Forces and Movement', 4F ‘Circuits and conductors’, 4E 'Friction', 6G ‘Changing circuits’ (short unit) and on IT Unit 5E ‘Controlling devices’. |
Most Children Will:have become familiar with the principles of how a turbine can generate electrical energy; have investigated several turbine designs;; have harnessed the rotation produced by turbine to generate electrical energy, have used belts and pulleys; have designed, made, evaluated and modified their model; and know that commercial wind turbines employ computer control |
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Some children will not have made so much progress and will:Have made a model turbine with a rotating part, which may or may not generate electrical energy |
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Some children will have progressed further and be able to:have analysed possible designs to some depth, displaying an awareness of which factors may have improved or constrained performance; have produced a working model which can rotate at different speeds; have produced a model whose appearance and finish is of a high standard; have communicated their design ideas clearly and implemented improvements |
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| Designing a model wind turbine Lesson: KS2 Wind 5a |
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Lesson ObjectivesTo understand the basic components in wind turbine design.To design a table top wind turbine that rotates and generates a small amount of electrical energy. |
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Learning OutcomePlanning an enquiryPupils: suggest ideas for investigation e.g. the turbine structure might be stronger if filled with sand or if the blades are light. It might generate more electricity if it is taller with longer blades. |
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| Building a model wind turbine Lesson: KS2 Wind 5b |
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Lesson ObjectivesTo make a model wind turbine.To understand how the blades are used to turn the motor and generate electricity. To generate some electricity using your model wind turbine. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomeMaking a wind turbinePupils: recognise that wind turbines work more or less effectively as electricity generators depending on the design of the structure and blades and show this in their designs create designs that show knowledge of air friction and of relevant properties of materials e.g. different materials may be better blades than others e.g.. Wood/paper/card/plastic |
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| Testing a model wind turbine Lesson: KS2 Wind 5c |
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Lesson ObjectivesTo test wind turbine designs making a series of observations.To adjust and make modifications to their turbine designs in a systematic way. |
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Learning OutcomeCollecting and interpreting dataPupils: collect and record data carefully identify how strongly the results show a trend making particular reference to sample size Explaining results and considering evidence Pupils: suggest reasons for any differences in the speed of blades turning depending on materials used using scientific knowledge where possible e.g. the longer, lighter blades turn more quickly in light wind but bend too much in heavier wind. |
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| Improving a model wind turbine Lesson: KS2 Wind 5d |
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Lesson ObjectivesTo know that gears of various kinds are used in some everyday objects.To use a belt and pulley system to increase the speed of generator rotation in the model turbine. |
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Learning OutcomeConsidering the problem to be solvedPupils: test and adjust designs systematically record ideas describing and explaining designs and adjustments made using scientific knowledge |
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| Assessing a model wind turbine Lesson: KS2 Wind 5e |
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Lesson ObjectivesTo evaluate their wind turbine model and compare with other designs.To suggest some ways their model could be improved. To try and establish that useful electricity is being generated. To know some of the ways their model differs from commercial designs including computer control |
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Learning OutcomePresenting and evaluating the designPupils: evaluate the quality of the final product making suggestions for improvement e.g. adjusting pulleys/gears |
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