Wind vs. Coal

This lesson, from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, focuses on the production of wind energy and connects "Newtonian Mechanics, electromagnetism, and environmental concerns in an engineering design process." Students design a wind turbine for the conversion of kinetic energy into rotational mechanical energy and then electric energy. This wind generated energy is compared to coal and discussed as an alternative. 

The lesson, intended for students in the 11th and 12th grade, takes about a week to complete, including three days for researching and designing the wind turbine and two days for reporting the results of their designs. Students should have a prior understanding of Newtonian Mechanics, electrical power, generators and motors, and the Law of Conservation of Energy. Upon completion of the lesson, students will have developed an understanding of the application of the work-energy theorem, the dynamics of fixed-axis rotation, and the place of various concepts in real world energy generation.