The ConceptwindmillEnergy comes in many types of forms. These forms have the ability to be converted from one type to another. The reason for conversion is to utilize a specific form of energy to invoke natural processes. This conversion also allows us to harness the energy in one form to be used in a more practical manner in another form.

The Exihibit

Our goal in this project is to teach children about transforming one type of energy into another, and using the converted energy for a specific purpose. Most children have a base knowledge that cars use motors to convert gasoline, the chemical energy source, into movement, the mechanical energy. In our exhibit we use the power of wind as an alternative energy source. By converting the wind energy into mechanical energy we show that energy can be harnessed in whatever form it is in. We used multiple lightweight wooden cars, a fan, and paper materials to allow the children to experiment with making sails to power each car.

Another goal we had was to teach the children about the effieciency of harnessing the wind power that we provided them. The more mechanical energy a car had the farther it moved and thus allowing the children to see the difference in effiecieny of each of the sails.

Each car model came with drilled holes on the top of the car where each child was allowed which spot on the car the sail would be attached. We then had each child make a sail of their own using newspaper, small wooden sticks, and tape. After each sail was made and attached to the cars they were placed one by one in front of a box fan. After turning on the fan, depending on the sail, the car would move a certain distance or not move at all. The place where the car stopped was marked and the process was repeated until each car was finished. We then asked the children why certain cars had traveled farther than others. After hearing each explanation we then explained to the children why each car moved the distance it did and why certain sails worked better than others. We asked them what they could do to modify their design in order to make their cars move farther now knowing how each type of sail worked. This showed them that different designs harnessed the same power from the fan at different efficiencies.

The dimensions for the block used for the model car are:

Width 1.5'', Length 7.0'', Height 1.5''cad

 

 

 

 

Project 3 done by Ben Allen, Chris Chen, Michael Cushman, and Santia Valerio