Choose one of the Bell Ringers provided to display for students to answer.
Introduction to Wind
Summary
Students explore wind energy from the ground up — how turbines work, where wind farms are built, and why intermittency matters for the grid. The lesson runs a full class period and includes a bell ringer, video, vocabulary quiz, data analysis activity, and a hands-on windmill-building lab. A complete teacher guide with answer key is included. Works across middle school, high school, and APES Unit 6.
Activities
Video
Play this short video on wind production to spark curiosity and encourage thoughtful discussion.
Vocabulary + Quiz
Have students review the vocabulary terms, watch the video, and answer the questions in the quiz and cloze notes.
Data Set
Have students analyze a wind energy data chart and answer questions. Review key terms, then discuss trends as a class.
Hands On - Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide to walk students through the process of designing, building, and testing a windmill.
Hands On - Student Guide
Use this handout with students to assist in the process of designing, building, and testing a windmill.
Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide that serves as a walkthrough with answers for the Introduction to Wind lesson.
Answer Key
This short document provides answers to key activities in the Introduction to Wind lesson.
Downloadables