SCI-Talks Fall 2013

Energy
Title: Wind Energy

Materials:
For each group:
8 10 straws
4 wheels (lifesavers)
Straight pins (approximately 20)
1 sheet of 8 x 11 paper
Several yard sticks or measuring tapes
For the class:
Stopwatch or watch with a second hand

FOCUS Question: How can you use the force of the wind to move a Puff Mobile?

GETTING READY
This investigation gives the student time in creative engineering by using the above materials to
construct a sail car. The sheet of paper is used to catch the energy of the wind. Getting the
Puff Mobile to move demonstrates that wind can be used to perform work. Work is done
whenever a force is used to move something.
The design and modification process is the heart of this activity. Students begin with a
challenge requiring divergent thinking: create a design that will move as far as possible in a
linear direction. As they test and modify, the students will make new predictions about what
design changes will work.

Content/Inquiry ideas to be developed in the lesson:
Students will:
Construct a sail car
Power their sail car by their own wind energy
Record the distance their car travels in 5 seconds of puffing
Modify the car so it will cover a greater distance

This lesson will involve Physical Science (wind energy) as well as Technology (engineering and
design). The math skills that will be needed are: estimation, measurement (time), and graphs.


WORD BANK ENTRIES to post in the Folder Charts:
Wind energy
Design
Engineering
Contact force

ENGAGE
Ask the students if they can design and construct a sail car using the materials provided.
Ask the students how they can put their car into motion.
Ask the students how far they think their car will travel in five seconds.
Discuss the time for trials and explain that they can modify their design.

EXPLORE

Explorable or FOCUS Question: How can you use the force of the wind to move your Puff
Mobile?

After students have discussed the question, as the FOCUS question, it will be written
somewhere in the room for the students to see. Have students write it in their
notebooks along with the date.
Students will be organized into groups and they will be challenged to build a car that, by
blowing, will move along a predetermined distance.
The construction materials and the two activity sheets will be distributed to the groups.
Students will be reminded that the paper and straws can be cut, but all components (at
least 8 of the straws) must be used.
Students shall construct and name their Puff Mobile.
The class shall determine racing rules such as starting position, number of puffers
allowed, able to change the puffer, etc.
On the Puff Mobile sheet, students will estimate and record the distance their vehicle
will travel and decide who will be the puffer.
Time travels will be conducted.
Ask the students, How can you improve your design for greater distance or speed?
Students will revise their design, record their changes and be ready for the final race.




EXPLAIN
What caused the Puff Mobile to move?
Why is the wind considered a contact force?
What did the wind contact with this activity?
Did you modify Puff Mobile perform better than the original? Explain.

ELABORATE/EXTEND
Have each group report their best distance and make a class bar graph of the data.
Combine the successful ideas from all of the groups and build an even better Puff
Mobile. Challenge the Sci-talks instructors to a race.
Try a 30 second race. A number of puffers will be necessary for each Puff Mobile.
Design a Puff Mobile that will move on water. Agree on the materials that can be used.

EVALUATE
What other modifications would you like to make to your Puff Mobile since you have
had some time to think about it?
Students could collect information to discuss how wind is currently used as a source of
energy.
Conclude with a SCIENCE TALK. Encourage students to share their answers to the
questions with the class.





Reference:
This lesson was adapted from a lesson entitled Puff Mobiles, which was developed by the
AIMS Education Foundation, Fresno, California in 2010.