Science of Wind

Summary

This comprehensive Science of Wind lesson plan is designed for high school students, offering an in-depth exploration of wind energy. The resource includes bell ringer prompts to engage students with key concepts, a vocabulary list and video quiz, differentiated reading packets, a quantitative computation activity, and a data analysis exercise on the intermittency of wind power. The lesson culminates in an advanced lab where students build and calibrate an anemometer to calculate wind energy potential.

Activities
Bell Ringer

Choose one of the Bell Ringers provided to display for students to answer.

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Video

Play this short video on wind to spark curiosity and encourage thoughtful discussion.

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Vocabulary + Quiz

Have students review the vocabulary terms, watch the video, and answer the questions in the quiz.

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Reading

Have students read the info sheet on the Science of Wind and answer the comprehension questions.

Extended Reading

Have students read the extended info sheet on the Science of Wind and answer the comprehension and application questions.

Computation

Have students analyze a graph and table to calculate increases in wind energy generation. Review key terms, then discuss trends as a class.

Data Set

Have students analyze a wind energy data chart and answer questions. Review key terms, then discuss trends as a class.

Lab - Teacher Guide

Download this teacher guide to walk students through constructing a functional anemometer to measure wind speed and calculate the wind energy potential of a wind turbine.

Lab - Student Guide

Use this handout with students to construct a functional anemometer to measure wind speed and calculate the wind energy potential of a wind turbine.

Exit Ticket

Display the Exit Ticket provided for students to answer.

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Teacher Guide

Download this teacher guide that serves as a walkthrough with answers for the Science of Wind lesson.

Answer Key

This short document provides answers to key activities in the Science of Wind lesson.

Downloadables
Careers Economics Electricity Environment
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