Power of the Winds

This STEM activity is suitable for elementary and middle school levels. Through this activity, children can learn about more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. Indeed, a wind turbine is a system that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. Wind energy is a sustainable energy source that is independent of external resources, environmentally benign, and has the potential for higher efficiency. Wind energy is similar to generating electricity from a water mill.

Purpose of the Activity:

leaf Directing children's interest towards nature

leaf Promoting awareness of "Nature" and "Environment" among children

leaf Increasing children's sensitivity to harmless energy sources derived from nature

leaf Educating children about cleaner and more efficient energy sources

leaf Ensuring that children are informed about different energy sources

Once Upon a Time

Tako's grandfather had to go to Ankara for work. Tako and Ruka wanted to go with him. Ankara is where the mausoleum of our great leader and the founder of our country, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is located! Tako really wanted to go there, and his grandfather couldn't refuse him. Of course, they couldn't leave Ruka alone at home either. Because whenever Ruka is left alone at home, she always manages to make a mess and do unexpected things.

They made their preparations and set off in the car. Ruka was so excited that she didn't take her eyes off the road for a moment. While eating the sandwiches they prepared for the journey, she kept asking Tako about everything she saw and found interesting along the way.

The atmosphere quieted down a bit. Tako thought Ruka was tired, but suddenly Ruka started screaming! This scream even scared Tako's grandfather.

What's wrong, Ruka? You shouldn't scream like that. You scared us!

But... I've never seen something so big before! Why did they build something like this? Is it very hot outside?

What do you mean, Ruka? Why did you say that?

Isn't it to cool down the air? Like the one you have at home, blowing air around?

Hahahaha, oh Ruka! These aren't for cooling down the air; they generate electricity from the power of the wind. Wind turbines spin the blades, and that's how they produce electricity. It's like the world's most beautiful power plant. It doesn't harm nature and produces plenty of electricity.

I still don't understand, Tako. How do you get energy from the wind?

It's actually simple, but let me show you. I think we both know what we're going to do!

We're going to do an experiment, I know!

Yes. When we go to Ankara, we can do a little activity there. You'll understand it easily. First, let's get there...

Finally, they arrived in Ankara. First, they settled into their place to stay and went to a restaurant for dinner. On the way back, Tako asked his grandfather to go to the stationery store. They bought the necessary materials and returned to their place. Tako didn't bring his apron, but they still made their preparations and started the activity. Let's join them in doing this activity!

Materials

Cardboard Scissors Glue Ruler Pipette Clip Tape Thread Pencil

Activity

Step I

Have you ever made a windmill before? Let's make one, but we'll make a slightly different windmill. You can ask for help from adults in cutting activities.

First, from our craft paper, we carefully cut out a perfect square. Using a ruler and pencil, draw lines from one corner of the paper to the opposite corner. Cut halfway along each line from the corners towards the center.

Step II

Using scissors, as shown on the side, cut from each corner towards the center where we marked the lines. Try to cut directly on the lines for smoother rotation of our windmill.

Step III

You need to pay attention to this step. Otherwise, you might make a mistake, and your windmill won't spin. We need to make small holes exactly where the "x" marks are shown on the side of our paper. The holes shouldn't be too small; they should be big enough for a straw to pass through. We will make a total of 5 holes. First, pierce the paper with a pin and then widen the holes a bit more. We will fold the paper from the corners where we placed marks inward. Attention! We will just fold, not crease. If we crease it, our windmill will not spin as we want it to.

Step IV

Take a straw. This straw should not have a bendable corner. If it has a bendable corner, you can cut that part directly. A piece about 10-15cm long will be sufficient for us. By putting adhesive dough on one end of the straw, completely cover the tip. By placing the straw through the hole in the middle of the windmill we bent from the sides, it is stuck on the windmill's front side without a straw. You can use the adhesive dough in the windmill's back. In this way, the straw and windmill are fixed to each other. This is what we want. It will turn the straw while turning the windmill. We need to get such a square movement. You will understand why in the next steps.

You can cut a string two or three straw lengths. If you make a very small top from the adhesive dough, place the string on the front of the straw like on the adhesive, with will even understand III.

Attention!

Before this activity, you can have a discussion with children about the energy sources we use in our homes. Ask students what they know about how energy is produced and have them explain.

Ask students what a wind farm is and explain that structures that generate energy from wind are called wind farms.

With these windmills made together with the students, you can try to lift different materials (notebooks, larger erasers, pen holders, etc.). You can ask them to explain what materials were lifted or not lifted and why these events occurred (or didn't occur).

Evaluation Questions

yaprak What energy sources do we use at home?

Yaprak What energy sources do we use at school?

Yaprak What responsibilities do we have at home and school to prevent energy waste?

Yaprak If you wanted to produce energy, where would you get your source from?

yaprak Which items in our lives operate with electricity?

yaprak How would a world without electricity be like?

Yaprak Have you ever been to a windy place before?

Yaprak What changes occur when it's windy outside?

Activity File

Scientific Concepts

Here are the scientific concepts related to this activity: Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Wind Turbine. You can explore interesting facts by researching these concepts on your own!