Gone with the Wind Energy: Design-Build-Test Mini Sail Cars!
Students explore the use of wind power in the design, construction and testing of "sail cars," which, in this case, are little wheeled carts with masts and sails that are powered by the moving air generated from a box fan. The scientific method is reviewed and reinforced with the use of controls and variables, and the engineering design process is explored. The focus of the activity is on renewable energy, as well as the design, testing and redesign of small cars made from household materials. The activity (and an extension worksheet) includes the use of kinematic equations using distance, time traveled and speed to enforce exponents and decimals.
Students test their wind-powered sail car.
The use of renewable forms of energy is a major focus for today's engineers. Wind power is one of the simplest and least expensive sources of renewable energy. By designing wind-powered model cars, students experience the iterative steps of the engineering design process while exploring and gaining a better understanding of how wind power may be utilized.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how wind forms.
- Describe different sources of energy.
- Explain that wind energy is a renewable and sustainable form of power production.
- Relate how different shapes and angles affect sail (and wind turbine) design and performance through the testing and improvement stages of the engineering design process.