WIND ENERGY ACTIVITY: A
Sail Boat
Competition
OBJECTIVES: Each student will:
1. conduct and apply research to solve a
problem.
2. design and draw tentative problem
solutions.
3. scientific principles and mathematical
analysis.
4. construct a craft to be used in
competitions.
5. participate in the competitions and
present your design concepts
to the class.
INTRODUCTION:
Perhaps more than many other renewable energy
sources, wind energy is expected to continue its dramatic incline of contributing
to the world‑wide energy picture. Although site‑specific, there are
many areas which are benefiting from the rapidly developing technology of wind‑energy
applications. This activity integrates the study of wind energy and
transportation technology while incorporating design, both graphic and verbal
communication, science and mathematics applications:
Two (2) categories of emphasis will be evaluated:
design /construction and speed.
MATERIALS: Sail boat design kit consisting of:
1‑ 2" x 3" x
8" extruded
polystyrene foam
1‑1 /8" x
36" hardwood dowel
1‑ 9" x 9" plastic film (bread
wrapper)
1‑1 / 16" x
3/8" x 41 /2" "Popsicle" stick
2 rubber bands; size 16
1‑ 24" length of cotton
string (medium strength)
1 ‑ Science/
Mathematics Interfaces record sheet
Optional items: hot glue, contact cement, rubber
cement,
white woodworker's glue,
3/4" x 12" cellophane tape
PROCEDURE:
1. Research boat hull and sail configurations to ascertain
which, will
provide the greatest speed.
A minimum of two (2) references are
required.
2. Develop two (2) design sketches of wind‑powered water
craft
incorporating the above
research.
3. Select one of the designed units and construct it using only
the
provided /identified
materials.
4. Test the completed craft for stability, strength and speed
in the troughs
provided.
5. Redesign, reconfigure or reconstruct the craft to improve
its
performance.
6. Retest the design ‑ repeat steps 5 and 6 if necessary.
7. On the day of "the race," bring your craft and
compete according
to your selected position.
8. Verbally present, to the class, a brief overview of your
design
configurations and reasons
for selecting your particular designs.
9. Submit your craft and the design sketches for design
/construction
evaluation by the
instructor.
CONCLUSIONS:
Participants should have determined both hull and sail configurations which will provide the greatest speed in competition. By researching and applying scientific and mathematical analyses along with design principles, the best possible crafts should result.
Prizes are to be awarded to the water craft best
designed and constructed as well as the winner of the speed competition.
REFERENCES: To be determined by the participants. (Be sure to cite them
properly!!)
CROSS‑DISCIPLINE
APPLICATIONS:
Mathematics: estimates, measurement, area,
weight, vectors, speed calculations
Science: hypothesis, forces,
buoyancy, friction, mass
Communication: design sketches/ drawings,
technology journal‑record of progress, class verbal presentations
RULES:
1. Use no materials other than those provided in the design
kit.
2. You do not have to use all of the materials provided in the
design kit.
3. The craft must float on the water without supplementary
support.
4. The craft must use once the wind power provided for
propulsion.
5. Your craft must not be over 12" long.
6. Fun and fair play are essential!!
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
Wind energy source ‑ 16" fan set on slow
speed with Variac set on 70 volts
"Race track" ‑
3 1 /2" high x 4" wide x 10' long aluminum gutter with 1 1
/2"" of water
"Racing distance" ‑
9'
NOTE: The fan and the
"race tracks" will sit on the same level surface.
WIND ENERGY
ACTIVITY : B
Wind Powered Land Vehicle Competition
OBJECTIVES: Each student will:
1. conduct and apply research to solve a problem.
2. design and sketch tentative problem solutions.
3. apply scientific principles and mathematical
analysis.
4. construct a craft to be used in competitions.
5. participate in the competitions and present
your design concepts
to the class.
INTRODUCTION:
Perhaps more than
many other renewable energy sources, wind energy is expected to continue its
dramatic increase in contributing to the world‑wide energy picture.
Although site‑specific, there are many areas which are benefiting from
the rapidly developing technology of wind‑energy applications. This
activity integrates the study of wind energy and transportation technology
while incorporating design, both graphic and verbal communication, science and
mathematics applications:
Two (2) categories of emphasis will be evaluated:
design/ construction and speed.
MATERIALS: Land vehicle design kit consisting of:
1‑ 2" x 3" x
8" extruded
polystyrene foam
1‑1/8" x 36" hardwood dowel
1‑ 9" x 9" plastic film
(bread wrapper)
1‑1/16" x
3/8" x 41/2" "Popsicle"
stick
2 ‑ rubber
bands; size 16
1‑ 24" length of
cotton string (medium strength)
4 ‑ plastic
wheels
1‑ Science
/Mathematics Interfaces record sheet
Optional items: hot glue, contact cement, rubber
cement,
white woodworker's glue,
3/4" x 12" cellophane tape,
miscellaneous fasteners
PROCEDURE:
1. Research land vehicle designs and configurations to
ascertain which
will provide the greatest
speed. A minimum of two (2) references are
required.
2. Develop two (2) design sketches of wind‑powered land
vehicle
incorporating the above
research.
3. Select one of the designed units and construct it using only
the
provided/ identified
materials.
4. Test the completed craft for stability, strength and speed
in the area
provided.
5. Redesign, reconfigure or reconstruct the vehicle to improve
its
performance.
6. Retest the design ‑ repeat steps 5 and 6 if necessary.
7. On the day of "the race," bring your vehicle and
compete according
to your selected position.
8. Verbally present, to the class, a brief overview of your
design
configurations and reasons
for selecting your particular designs.
9. Submit your vehicle, Science /mathematics interface sheet
and the
design sketches for design/
construction evaluation by the instructor.
CONCLUSIONS:
Participants should have determined both chasis and sail configurations which will provide the greatest speed in competition. By researching and applying scientific and mathematical analyses along with design principles, the best possible vehicles should result.
Prizes are to be awarded for the vehicle best
designed/ constructed as well as the winner of the speed competition.
REFERENCES: To be determined by the participants. (Be sure to cite them
properly!!)
CROSS‑DISCIPLINE
APPLICATIONS:
Mathematics: estimates, measurement, area,
weight, vectors, volume speed calculations
Science: hypothesis, forces,
buoyancy, friction, mass
Communication: design sketches /drawings,
technology journal‑record of progress, class verbal presentations
Technology: material selection, craftsmanship,
use of tools and equipment
RULES:
1. Use no building materials other than those provided in the
design kit.
2. You do not have to use all of the materials provided in the
design kit.
3. The vehicle must use only the wind power provided for propulsion.
5. Your vehicle must not be over 12" long.
6. Fun and fair play are essential!!
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
Wind energy source ‑ 16" fan set on slow
speed with Variac set on 70 volts
"Race track" ‑
12' of smooth floors
"Racing distance" ‑
10'
NOTE: The fan will sit on
the same level surface as the vehicle. The center of the fan is 310 mm above
the floor.