St. Patrick’s Day Engineering Challenge

Summary

Students design and build a wind-powered turbine that lifts a small load using only fan energy, working through all seven steps of the Engineering Design Process from initial sketch to data-driven redesign. The full lesson includes a Teacher Guide with facilitation notes, materials list, and testing protocol, plus a Student Engineering Log with data tables and reflection questions. Built for middle school, with optional work and power extensions that stretch it into high school.

Activities
Teacher Guide

This Teacher Guide provides step-by-step instructions for facilitating the St. Patrick’s Day Engineering Challenge.

Student Guide

The Student Engineering Log guides learners through the St. Patrick’s Day Engineering Challenge using a structured, step-by-step design process.

Downloadables
Electricity Wind
Access Answer Key!