Support for this online resource was provided by the 3M Foundation. The 3M Foundation invests in tomorrow's leaders to support the environment, energy solutions, and engineering.

Support for this online resource was also provided by the Noyce Foundation. The Noyce Foundation is dedicated to stimulating ideas and supporting initiatives designed to produce significant improvement in teaching and learning in mathematics, science, and literacy for youth in grades K-12. 

This curriculum is a joint project of the Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE), the Collegeof Engineering and University Extension at the University of Illinois.

Click below for downloadable The Power of the Wind Posters!

• 8.5" x 11" Poster
• 11" x 17" Poster

Welcome to The Power of the Wind Youth Guide Online!

You can use this web site to guide your own discovery. Are you interested in wind turbines? How to save energy? How to power a cell phone with your own energy of motion? The beginning of your exploration starts here! Browse through the information that corresponds to each chapter in the print curriculum by viewing the resources below.

 Table of Contents

 The Power of the Wind Glossary

 Engineering Notebook: Use these downloadable notebook pages to jot your thoughts and draft your engineering designs!

Chapter 1
How Can We Think Like an Engineer?

• Engineering Design with Sue Larson: Throughout the curriculum, there are engineering concepts introduced by Sue Larson, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. Are you interested in pursuing engineering as a career?
• Beat the Heat: Design a house in Phoenix, Arizona that is most efficient in keeping you cool. You can choose different windows, roofs, and directions that the house will face.
• Engineer It! Design a Prototype windmill to capture the energy from the wind.
• PBS Kids: Goldburger to Go! Use your engineering skills to figure out this unique contraption.
• EdHeads - Activate Your Mind! Learn how forces and simple machines can work together to create The Compound Machine!
• Inventing Modern America: Find out which inventions came first by linking inventions and inventors together in the shortest way possible.

Chapter 2
How Do We Study the Wind?

•  Tetraflexagon Template: Follow the instructions in the Youth Guide to make your Tetraflexagon!

Chapter 3
How Do We Use the Wind?

•  Pinwheel Template with Rotational Symmetry
•  Plain Pinwheel Template
•  Triangular Pinwheel Template
•  Branded Pinwheel Template: 4-H and 3M
•  4-H Pinwheel Template
•  Swirly Pinwheel Template
• Wind with Miller: Follow Miller, the wind guru and let him show you how wind power works.
• How Stuff Works: View the visual representation of how wind power works.
• Energy in Motion Wind Power Game: Play a fun quiz game that will help you understand wind energy concepts.
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE): How does a turbine work? View an animation of a turbine in action!

Chapter 4
How Do Geography and Community Influence Wind Power Projects?

• Wind Powering America: United States - Wind Resource Maps
• Wind Powering America:Illinois - Wind Resource Maps
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Dynamic Maps, GIS Data, and Analysis Tools
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Installed Wind Power Capacity
• The Altamount Pass Wind Farm: View photos of this wind farm in California.
• Learn about Forest City School's Wind Turbine.
• The Spirit Lake Community School District Wind Turbines: Check out photos of various stages of turbine installation and construction.
• Wind Energy for Schools: Project Locations

Chapter 5
How Does Wind Inspire Creativity and Design?

• National Gallery of Art kids guide: View the works of Rembrant and his depiction of windmills.
• View Wind by Peggy Whitney.
• View Wind from the East by Reynold Weidenaar.
• REImaginations. Wind Power is clean, friendly and often down right gorgeous. REimaginations is dedicated to providing images and artwork that convey the beauty of renewable energy production.
• Theo Jansen has created Strandbeests, a unique "species" that moves by wind power and can "survive" on its own. Check out the videos of his creation.

Energy Games

• Blackout! In each round you'll have a budget to build a wind turbine best suited for the location you are given. Try to generate the most power without wasting money.
• Storm Smarts: Play the Storm Smarts game and find items for Pete to bring in his backpack to protect him.
• Climate Change Game: Pretend you are the president of the European Union. You must tackle climate change and stay popular enough with voters to remain in office.
• Watt's the Answer: A quiz show game that asks the user questions about solar energy.
• Energy Vampires: Explore how much energy different rooms in your house use.
  

Wind Power and Beyond

• The Futures Channel: Connecting Learning to the Real World. View a short film on the Wind Business. Learn what it takes to engineer these state-of-the-art wind farms.
• Wind Powered Rotating Skyscraper: Check out this wind and solar powered rotating skyscraper located in Dubai. Every floor rotates 360 degrees every seven days.
• Wind Powered Water Heater: Look at how students from Oregon State built a water heater powered by wind!
• Smart Planet: Check out this phone charger that charges your phone from kinetic energy! Charge your phone while you work out or dance!
• Energy Efficient Home: Roofus the dog has an energy efficient home. Come explore how he uses energy more efficiently!
• Cielo Wind Power: Get answers to frequently asked questions about wind power.
• U.S. Department of Energy: Build a pizza box solar oven!
• WattzOn: Check out this tool to track your own energy consumption and discover how to reduce your energy use.
• National Geographic: Wind Power