Snohomish County PUD

Mr. Wiederspohn

Today we are going to:Think, talk and work

like scientists 10 teams - do 10

different experiments at the same time

Present your findings Divide into 5 teams

of experts A water pumping

contest

The Scientific MethodQPPDC

Sample Investigative Question

How does brand of fishfood affect fishes’ growth rate?Manipulated variable is brand of fishfood

Responding variable is fishes growth rate

What are these things?What do you notice?

Why would we want to build wind turbines?

How does a wind turbine work?

Inputs?

Outputs?

Thinking about your prediction

What do you think you will discover after doing your experiment?

Fill in the blank and circle more or lessTeams 1-8 try to use the words “increase”, “decrease”

You DO NOT change your prediction

When you are finished with your blade testing…

1. Do all testing- data chart filled in

2. Look for a trend (pattern) in the data/Compare your trend with your partner team? Retest if necessary

3. Put all materials back into your box

4. Work together to finish writing the conclusion.

5. (If you finish early)Complete the answers to the questions on page 2

My new job is to be part of an expert engineering team that must design and build the very best set of wind turbine blades. I cannot do this alone, therefore, success depends on all of us experts working together.

To get started have a meeting where each of you shares your recommendation and test data with your group. Record your findings on the giant poster.

After everyone has had time to share their expertise, complete a detailed DESIGN PLAN that the team will follow when building your new set of SUPER BLADES!!

Get your design plan approved by your teacher, then you are ready for your materials and you can start building.

Your Engineering Jobs:

1.Share your data and recommendations with the team

2.Complete a design plan3.Build your blades according to your design.

Remember, craftsmanship is important4.Test/modify your prototype.5.Record your test data, especially your

maximum voltage output.

Blade Competition

TEAMS PUMPING MAX

TIME/AMT VOLTAGE

1

2

3

4

5

What were the 5 different blade variables tested today?Number of bladesAngle/pitch of the bladesWeight/mass of the bladesLength of the bladesShape of the blades

Name other blade variables that were not tested today

What other variables (besides blades) could be tested?

More controlled variables

Advantages of using wind to generate electricity

Disadvantages

5. YOUR OPINION

What blade variables do you think could affect electrical output?

Number of bladesBlade pitchBlade massMaterials usedBlade lengthBlade shape/surface areaBlade twist

You are now an EXPERT!Be ready for your next JOB!

What variable were you testing? Did this

variable have an effect on electrical output?

What blade design do you recommend

would be the best? Show the data that

proves that your recommendation a good one.

Manipulated(changed) variable

This is the variable that you are testing

Responding(measured variable)

This is the variable that you are measuring

Controlled variables

These are variables that stay the same

Testing TeamsWhat is your QUESTION?

Teams 1 and 2 will test Number of Blades

Teams 3 and 4 will test Pitch (angle) of the

Blades

Teams 5 and 6 will test Mass (weight) of the

Blades

Teams 7 and 8 will test Length of Blades

Teams 9 and 10 will test Shape of the Blades

Wind Energy is KINETIC ENERGY

Kinetic energy is the energy of MOTION

Wind is…….. AIR IN MOTION

Wind Turbine Perspective

Science is the study of ENERGY

Energy= the universe

E= mc2

Where are wind projects built?

What creates wind?

How is a wind farm part of the entire electricity-generating

system?

Where are wind farms built?

Conclusion:The ______________ of the blades had an effect on electrical output.

We predicted that ………………. Our results showed that in order to increase electrical output you ……..

What variables do you think affect the power output

from wind turbines?Wind speedGeneratorsSize of turbineGear ratioLocationBlade design

Discussion QuestionsWhat variable has the greatest impact on

power output?

Can the data we collected today be related to

full scale wind turbines? How?

What are some advantages and

disadvantages of wind power?

What is the one thing you will remember the

most about today’s lesson?

Conclusion: Our hypothesis stated that_________ ____________and was (correct/incorrect). Our set up with the highest electrical output at _(#)__ was _________ whereas the blade set up with the lowest electrical output at only __(#__ was __________. Therefore the best blade design would be _____________.