WY Field Trip - Wind Farm - For Teachers

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From NSTA (National Science Teachers Association)
Close to the Wind: The Beaufort Scale.
Written and illustrated by Peter Malone.
G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group.
ISBN 978-0-399-24399-8,

This beautifully illustrated book, filled with magnificent paintings and detailed diagrams, vividly portrays the 13-point wind scale created by British naval officer Francis Beaufort. The Beaufort scale is brought to life through the fascinating letters of a midshipman at sea and his encounters with the effects of the wind.

From NSTA
From Windmills to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
by Sally Morgan
Grade Level: 6-9
Heinemann Library Chicago, IL 2007
ISBN: 9781403495556

Subjects: History and Nature of Science | General Science | Other Reviewed by Adah Stock 8th Grade Science Teacher

Each of the six books in the Chain Reaction series illustrates how one historical scientific discovery led humans to new understandings of the physical world. Each book is directed toward middle school students but could be appropriate as an introduction for older students because content is integrated with the history of science. This 64-page volume includes a timeline, brief biographies of key scientists, a glossary, further readings and websites, a thorough index, and a series of appendixes. The layout stands out; the book is filled with a combination of graphics that includes charts, diagrams, graphs, and photos. The text is not overwhelming and shares space with the graphics and one of three types of dialog boxes---either a question (?), a quotation ("Talking Science"), or a statement ( "That's Amazing"). Key terms are in bold print and can be found in the glossary. This volume is about various forms of alternative energy. The first chapter is a brief historical overview starting with fossil fuels and the problems associated with them. Included is a brief introduction to alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, water, nuclear, geothermal, biopower, and fuel cells. Each chapter deals with one of the types of alternative energy, including its history and what the future might hold. This is a great introduction to the historical development of the science of physics.

Wind
Clay Ferris Neff, ed.
Greenhaven Press 2007
ISBN:0-7377-3580-5

Essays from a variety of authors about History, Benefits and the future of Wind Energy.

Energy for Keeps: Electricity from Renewable Energy. An illustrated guide for everyone who uses energy.
Compiled by Marilyn Nemzer, Deborah Page, Anna Carter
Grades: 6th through adult
Energy Education Group.

Teacher Information

http://www.energyforkeeps.org/about_EE.html

Wind Power
by Christine Petersen
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (September 2004)
ISBN-10: 051621943X
ISBN-13: 978-0516219431

From Booklist Reviewed with Christine Petersen's Solar Power. Gr. 3-5. Petersen provides readers with a lucid picture of the sun and wind as natural forces before introducing some of the technology (windmills, turbines, solar panels) used to harness energy on a large scale. A few more diagrams (how a windmill works) would have been helpful, but the captioned photos are well chosen, and the science and the explanations of the technology are eminently clear. Each book ends with a forecast of the future that informs kids about the advantages and disadvantages of such renewable resources and speculates on their use in years to come. . Stephanie Zvirin Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From NSTA
Energy Essentials: Renewable Energy
by Nigel Saunders and Steven Chapman
Grade Level: 5-8
Raintree Publishers Chicago, IL 2004
ISBN: 1410904970

Subjects: Physical Science

Reviewed by Nancy McDonough 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher Energy Essentials is a series of timely books that fill a needed gap for middle school physical science. Renewable Energy presents information on a topic often included in content for grades 6-8 in a clearly organized and manageable manner. Although reluctant readers are the obvious audience for this book, all middle grade students new to the topic of energy transfers would benefit from studying it. "Fast Facts" boxes deliver information bits that students will recall: "The population of the United States uses its entire weight in crude oil every week," and "On the coast, the wind blows in from the sea during the day and out to sea at night." Sentences are short, and challenging vocabulary is defined in a "Word Store" at the bottom of each page. Even advanced concepts like kinetic energy are made accessible by descriptions and examples from everyday life – in this case, flying a kite on a windy day. Pages are visually appealing, illustrated by colorful photos and diagrams. It includes current information about hydroelectric power, tidal barrages, and wind farms. It ends with search tips for the Internet and a comprehensive glossary. This series is ideal for integrating informational reading skills into science lessons, broadening and extending physical science content, or linking science with language arts. Review posted on 12/15/2004

Energy
by John Stringer
Publisher:Evans Brothers, 2006
ISBN;-13:978- 1-58340-979-4

Covers: Energy in the 21st century., How to be energy efficient, and what you can do to help.

The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills
by Gretchen Woelfle
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1st edition (June 28, 1997)
ISBN-10: 1556523084
ISBN-13: 978-1556523083

From School Library Journal Grade 4-8. This combination of science, history, and activities centers around the use of wind as a source of power. The historical information is excellent, and includes Persian windmills of 1000 years ago, Dutch windmills of the 17th century, and modern wind turbines. Amusing anecdotes and intriguing facts are woven into the text, keeping it lively. An American farmer brags about all of the tasks his windmill accomplishes, including sawing wood, running a washing machine, and powering a pipe organ. A fascinating section on a windmiller's daily life reveals how the expression "rule of thumb" came to be. Black-and-white historical prints, photographs, and diagrams appear throughout. The mechanics of various windmills are briefly explained, but the emphasis is more on what the machines can do rather than on how they work. The well-balanced presentation offers worldwide coverage and objective information regarding the pros and cons of wind power compared to other sources. Each chapter ends with instructions for several projects. Some, like making a wind sock and wind vane, are directly related to wind power. Appendixes include a list of windmills and turbine sites, energy associations, environmental groups, and related career opportunities. Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From NSTA
Science Sampler: A first energy grant – Pinwheel electrical generation
By: John Schaefers Science Scope, Oct. 07
Grade Level: Middle School

This is an interdisciplinary activity – with art, science, and math classes involved – where students design their own pinwheels, and then attach their design to a DC generator (motor). Prior to testing their designs, students are introduced to basic circuitry,... [view full summary] This is an interdisciplinary activity – with art, science, and math classes involved – where students design their own pinwheels, and then attach their design to a DC generator (motor). Prior to testing their designs, students are introduced to basic circuitry, voltmeter usage, heat measurement, wind speeds, data collecting, recording, and analysis.

http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/4/ss07_031_02_74

Teachers' Domain, an online library of more than 1,000 free digital media resources from public television for the classroom and Professional Development."...resources include video and audio segments, Flash interactives, images, documents, lesson plans for teachers, and student-oriented activities." Lessons are linked to standards.

These some of the links from Teachers' Domain:

Snapshots of US Energy Use Grade 3-12. "In this video segment adapted from NOVA/FRONTLINE, experts estimate the amount of energy that is burned during daily activities, and how much CO2 those activities contribute to the atmosphere."
Teachers' Domain, Snapshot of US Energy Use, published September 26, 2003.

Energy Production Grade 6-12."examine the role of energy in our daily lives -- that is, how we produce the energy that we use to power our cities, our homes, and our schools, and at what cost."

Energy Sources Grade 3-12.Identifyalternative energy sources, including their benefits and limitations.
Teachers' Domain, Energy Sources, published December 17, 2005.

Designing Future Cities: Alternative Energy Grade 3-8 "...from ZOOM, students take on the role of city planners and, with the help of professional engineers, work out design solutions that incorporate innovative energy alternatives."

As the Rotor Turns: Wind Power and You Grade 6-8."Students will get acquainted with the basics of wind energy and power production by fabricating and testing various blade designs for table-top windmills constructed from one-inch PVC pipe and balsa wood (or recycled materials)."

Off the Grid Grade 3-12. "This interactive activity ...presents three ...scenarios and challenges users to d esign systems that will generate electricity by harnessing the wind." Teachers' Domain, Off the Grid, published May 9, 2006

The KidWind Project is a team of teachers, engineers and scientists committed to innovative energy education.Lesson Plans to teach about wind energyincuding: information about wind energy, free lesson plans, and ideas for building an educational wind turbine.