Hipp to be Green

This week the class is working on building a larger model of a wind turbine, which was on display at the convention. This model will stand approximately five feet high.  In addition, the students are using the smaller wind turbine model to test their blade designs to ascertain which design is the most efficient. Then the design will be upsized so we can install it on the larger model.

After the students complete their design they are required to prepare a spreadsheet and graph of the test results. The blades are tested at zero, 15, 30, 45 and 90 degrees from the vertical axis in the clockwise and counter clockwise direction. During the test, the fan is placed at a given distance from the test blades with the test speed of the fan cycling through low, medium and high. This method will provide the students with enough data to create a good spreadsheet and chart.

The energy for the model will be supplied by the solar panels array we are going to construct. Yes, you will have to stay tuned to find out what happens next. Will the experiment crash and burn?  Will the train run off the track?  Or will the great panel in the sky save the day?  STAY TUNE!!!!!

It has been almost a month since the convention, but I’d like to reflect back on our experience as presenters in the Great Ideas Forum.

First, who would have thought there is more to the convention than free pens and bags?  I must admit I was completely taken back by how much interaction there was at our booth. It felt great to talk to teachers that are doing some type of Wind Turbine or windmill project in their classrooms, or looking for projects to do.  Most of the teachers taught science, but when we discussed how we had math, science, art and tech all intertwined, they would comment that they would go back to their school and try to incorporate it.

Some hindsight, if I get the opportunity to be a presenter again. Set up everything Wednesday night. Try to condense everything into one bag so when you leave on Friday it is manageable. I would have a LOT more pictures of the students working at various stages of the project. We had most of the photos on DVD’s but for some reason they wouldn’t play. Also I would bring a few more easels or some type of backing that would stand, to display more samples of the students’ work. Personally I would pack a little cooler with drinks and snacks, mostly for Thursday. I found we had a constant flow of people in the booth on Thursday and I didn’t want to leave; I was enjoying talking to everyone. Also the lines at the food stands tended to be long. Friday was much slower and that is the time I had the chance to go and check out the convention. I found myself stopping to ask more questions at the various booths this year than in the past. I know that was because I liked it when people stopped to talk to us or had some interest, and would just asked us a question and then moved on.

Overall it reinforced my opinion of teachers. NO not that they just want free stuff, but that the GREAT majority are hardworking individuals that are constantly trying to learn and improve. See you at the next convention.