Welcome to the Online Guide for Facilitators!
Throughout The Power of the Wind curriculum, youth are guided to use the engineering design process to find solutions to problems related to wind power. Youth work on teams to analyze problems and find solutions that balance options and constraints. They test what they've made to see how it works, then make adjustments and test further, as necessary. Although designed for groups, this project could be adapted for individual project work with an adult. Throughout the design process, adult facilitators cultivate independence and mastery by guiding and asking questions in a caring environment. The challenges are designed to assist youth to learn by doing and apply findings to local community needs.
As you prepare to lead group activities:
Read the activity in the youth guide.
Prepare for a discussion that will generate a large number of ideas.
If time allows, try the activities yourself before you do them with youth.
Engineering Notebook: Encourage youth to use these downloadable notebook pages to jot their thoughts and engineering designs.
4-H Philosophy
The Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development
National 4-H Curriculum: Facilitator Tips
The Experiential Learning Model
The Power of the Wind: Faciliator Tips
4-H Essential Elements through The Power of the Wind
Chapter 1
How Can We Think Like an Engineer?
Introduce youth to the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. Point out the remarks throughout the youth guide from Sue Larson, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and Assistant Dean and Director of the Women and Engineering Program.
The Engineering Design Process
The Engineering Design Process found in the Youth Guide is based upon this Engineering Curriculum Framework developed by the State of Massachusetts. Read more about Science, Engineering, and Technology.
Chapter 2
How Do We Study the Wind?
Tetraflexagon Template
Make and Use an Anemometer: Guide youth through making and using an anemoment to measure the speed of wind.
A resource from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about hurricanes:Youth can learn about the history of hurricanes and hurricane classification. They can play games, take quizzes, and watch hurrcane videos.
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
Use the maps and tools at the National Renewable Energies Laboratory to encourage youth to explore wind energy resources in the United States. Help them analyze the information they find.
Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the United States
Weather Wiz Kids: You can use this web site for information and discussion about wind and its causes.
The History of Wind Power: Early History through 1875. Learn about the history of wind power and talk with youth about the developments over time.
Wind power in the 20th Century: The 20th Century marked large scale generation of electricity through the power of the wind.
The Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living:This encyclopedia is a large, free, on-line resource aimed at providing accurate information on living in harmony with our planet, particularly with regard to green energy and architecture. It is part of The Worlds of David Darling website and is maintained and updated on a full-time daily basis by the astronomer and author David Darling.
Multimeter Tutorial: Solar Schoolhouse: View this video for the basics on how to use a digital multimeter.
How Stuff Works: View the visual representation of how wind power works.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE): How does a turbine work? View an animation of a turbine in action!
All About Energy Quest: This animated resource can be introduced to the youth you are working with. They can explore videos, learn about renewable energies, and think about how to reduce their energy usage.
U.S. Department of Energy: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): Learn about NREL's research and development of renewable fuels and electricity that advance national energy goals to change the way we power our homes, businesses, and cars.
American Wind Energy Association
Windustry promotes progressive renewable energy solutions and empowers communities to develop wind energy as an environmentally sustainable, community-owned asset.
Chapter 4
How Do Geography and Community Influence Wind Power Projects?
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: The animated map of the United States shows the growth of installed wind capacity between 1999 and 2007.
Wind with Miller: This resource can be used to explain the cause of wind. Have youth view the Danish Wind Industry's animation to learn about wind and its causes.
U.S. Department of Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy: This web site has information about individual states, publications, videos, and web resources. Encourage youth to research why some states have more installed wind power capacity than others.
National Weather Service: A Resource about The Origin of Wind
Jet Stream: Learn more about it here.
Mendota Hills Wind Farm: Share a video of the Mendota Hills Wind Farm posted on You Tube.
Forest City Community School District Wind Turbines: Find statistics, photos, additional links, and more.
The Spirit Lake Community School District Wind Turbines: Check out photos of various stages of turbine installation and construction.
Wind Powering America: Wind Energy for Schools: Here you will find information about the Wind for Schools Project, where school wind projects are located across the United States, where you can find higher education or continuing education wind programs, teaching materials, and informational resources.
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.
National Gallery of Art: View the art of Rembrandt and his depiction of dutch style windmills. Encourage youth to compare modern wind turbine photography to windmill landscapes of the late 1800's.
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.
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 Powering America: Publications
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
The NEED Project: The mission of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, businesses, government, and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. Find the link to their monthly newsletter, Career Currents, and share the newsletters with youth.
The Economist: The Future of Energy. The Power and the Glory
GreenLearning designs premier learning resources for Canada's innovative teachers. Help youth participate in their own learning while gaining a more holistic and hopeful understanding of today's complex energy and environmental issues.
Wind Energy Basics from American Wind Energy Association
The British Wind Energy Association: What happens when the wind stops blowing?
Check out EcoLogic Lofts online: A new condominium residence in Chicago. They are seeking LEED Certification and plan to utilize many green features to provide stylish homes that reduce residents' carbon footprint. Talk with youth about LEED Certification. What do they think it means? In addition, encourage them to think about the engineering design process as it relates to the development of this new condominium.
Cielo Wind Power: Get answers to frequently asked questions about wind power.
A Cleaner Way to Keep the City Running. New York Times article Jan. 2, 2009.
In New York's Times Square, abillboard powered by wind and solar energy! New York Times article Nov. 14, 2008.
Register at Windustry.com to receives updates and information about the latest news on wind power.
WattzOn: Check out this tool to track your own energy consumption and discover how to reduce your energy use.
The Non-turbine Wind Alternative: View this short video about an alternative to turbines.
National Geographic: Wind Power