Wind power

摘要

Math concepts are required in the student windmill challenge and can be simplified for the younger students. Skills as simple as reading a ruler to one-quarter-inch accuracy need to be taught in order to measure and cut the dowels for the gearbox. This provides a great opportunity to integrate a lesson about fractions and have students apply their knowledge. Reading a ruler is often overlooked, but is an invaluable life skill that most secondary students mistakenly believe they have mastered (Schrage, 2000, p. 57). In order to test the windmill, the students must be able to collect data, which is then translated to determine which windmill is considered the best performer. To determine the top-performing windmill, the students need to analyze the science concepts using mathematics. Even though the end product is analyzed to determine the best design, the focus really needs be on the utilization of the design process. The friendly competition is a powerful tool in student motivation.