CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE 5. Review the turbulence and height graphic on the master. Ask students what other examples of land and manmade features might cause turbulence. Ask students to brainstorm ideas for how engineers might get around this e.g., (make turbines taller than trees or buildings, put the turbines in empty space that is clear, etc.). 6. Review the map image and the bullet points. Ask students to point out where they might put a wind turbine and why they think these spots might be good spots for a wind turbine. (They should choose a spot where there are no buildings or trees close by in the direction of the wind. The area south of the river might look empty, but a house is in the way in the direction of the wind. Thus, the western portion of the map is best.) 7. Explain to students that they will become the engineers. Pass out the Siting and Mapping activity and explain that they will analyze the map using the siting information they have just learned. It may be helpful to keep the master projected as students work. 8. Once students have completed their map shading and written their paragraphs, place students into small groups or pairs. Have students share thoughts with the small group or buddy. Ask students if they learned anything from each other. You may choose to discuss the best siting options as a class, or move on to the Engineering Expertise activity without reviewing. 9. Pass out the Engineering Expertise worksheet as an assessment. Explain the email chain to students and allow them to construct their responses. It may be necessary to remind students that in this case, these emails are professional correspondence and should include good sentence structure and the vocabulary they have learned during the unit so far.
Note This activity is designed for younger students using just one turbine, however, the activity and map could be easily modified to include more turbines and more obstacles to create an added challenge for older students.
Extensions Give students an opportunity to perform a "walk about" on the school grounds, creating a map and siting possible locations for a turbine. Pull historical weather data and ask students to create a wind rose for your school.
Activity 11: Submit an Estimate Suggested Grade Levels Intermediate, grades 6–8 Secondary, grades 9–12
Objective Students will be able to work in teams to prepare a plan and submit a bid for installing a wind turbine on a residence.
Materials Submit an Estimate worksheet, page 48
Procedure 1. Make copies of the worksheet for groups. 2. Give students the Submit an Estimate worksheet. Students will work in small groups to prepare an installation plan and submit a bid. In the bid, students should make a case for why they should be chosen to install the turbine. 3. Items to consider when assessing student work include contingency, permitting, insurance, and bonding.
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