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Wind Lesson Plans

Elementary(K-6)

Making a Pinwheel

The student will be able to observe how the pinwheel works in different windy conditions, or how it works when they change the direction the pinwheel is facing.

Making a Wind Serpent

The student will be able to follow directions and help one another in creating a wind serpent. Also be able to discuss what happens when wind hits the wind serpent.

Catching the Wind

The student will conduct experiments to learn about how energy works in our world, observe changes that occur due to the forces of energy, and work in groups to explain the phenomena they observe.

Propeller Design

The student will be able to work with others and follow multistep instructions. By doing so the students will create a propeller that spins with a gentle breeze.

Wind Vane

The students will learn how to construct a wind vane and understand the parts of a wind vane. Students will learn the four directions. Students will understand how wind vanes are used to measure wind direction and be able to tell the wind direction from their own wind vane. Students will understand that wind direction and weather are correlated.

Making an Anemometer

The student will be able to build a working model of an anemometer and test for Revolutions Per Minute.

Vertical Axis Turbine

The student will be able to to follow multistep directions and be able to work within small group to complete construction of a vertical axis wind turbine

Weather Station

Students will be able to describe weather and understand how the weather affects their daily lives, observe and record weather related data, construct instruments for measuring weather, be able to explain how each instrument is used to measure weather and make predictions about weather using averages.

Anemometer with Data

The student will work in groups and develop an anemometer.

Intermediate(7-9)

Find Average Wind Speed

Students will be able to identify wind deformation of trees and, by using a chart, estimate the average annual wind speed for the area in which the tree was grown. The students will learn to recognize shrub deformation by wind. The students should be able to locate the crown and base of the shrub. The students will be able to measure the displacement of the crown and use a constant to estimate average annual wind speed from the amount of displacement.

Wind Raft

Students will demonstrate what they have learned about wind by using that information to write a RAFT.

What is Wind Energy

The student will be able to understand and simulate wind formation.

Wind Power (Can we get Permission)

Following the activity the students will have a real life experience of what the controversies are to erect wind turbine and have the some idea of the work involved in getting permission to erect one, this will be demonstrated by them completing the activity.

Wind Power Growth

Students will be able to convert between fractions, decimals, and percents. They will also be able to calculate percents and find parts or whole amounts. Students will become familiar with the growth of wind power across the US.

Wind Power Cost

Students will be able to solve proportions. They will also understand the cost of a small wind turbine.

Turbine Height

Students will be able to use proportions to estimate height. They will also learn about the height of wind turbines.

Predicting Power

Students will be able to represent and organize data in scatter plots and tables, calculate measurements of center, and formulate predictions from given data.

Tip Speed Ratio

Students will be able to calculate ratios and rates, to use unit rates as a method of comparison, and to convert rates.

Wind Energy Unit

SWBAT define the meaning of renewable energy, identify forms of renewable energy, identify the parts of a windmill, show understanding of renewable energy importance through the use of group presentations.

Secondary(9-14)

Wind Power and Turbines

Students will understand the mechanical workings of large wind turbines, and will be able to name those parts.

Model wind turbine

Students will collaboratively use the scientific method to determine optimal blade designs for small scale wind turbines. Students will design and build electrical generation wind turbines

*Note: Lesson Plans have a suggested grade level. They are not vested lesson plans and they have not been peer-reviewed. Please feel free to modify and use as needed to fit your grade level.