Definition:
Renewable energy (sources) or RES get their energy from natural flows of energy (on-going
natural processes), such as flowing water (hydroelectric), sunshine, wind, biological processes and geothermal heat flows.
Most renewable forms of energy, other than tidal power and geothermal, come from the Sun. Some forms are
stored solar energy such as wind power and rainfall which are considered short-term solar-energy storage;
the energy in biomass is accumulated over a period of months, as in straw, or through many years as in wood.
Capturing renewable energy by plants, animals and humans does not permanently deplete the resource.
Fossil fuels, while theoretically renewable over a period of time, are exploited at rates that may deplete
these resources in the near future.
Renewable energy is cost effective compared to nuclear energy and fossil fuels, both financially and environmentally.
Presently the cost per watt is about $4 to $5 and projected to be about $1 by the year 2015.
Hydroelectric and Wind "Farms" have already proven to be
commercially successful.
Are our children really aware of their stake in making a difference in our environment? Do they know how to move from awareness to action so that they can contribute to the future of our planet? Renewable energy education in the classroom bridges this gap.
The pre-packaged discount kits are our most popular. You are welcome to put together your own package, email us for a quote along with your name and telephone number to: madeline@super-science-fair-projects.com
Become the Difference ... Become the Solution
Build a fully functioning, electricity-producing scale model wind turbine.
Renewable energy education in the classroom
is the perfect place to begin bringing forth awareness as to how we can make a difference in preserving our planet's natural resources. Chemistry, physics, earth science and social studies classes are perfect venues.
oppDARPA-RA-10-03-cfda12.910.pdf - Form to Apply for the STEM GRANT. Be patient, this is a huge document and even though the download says it is done and there is a white, blank page, it is still downloading.
If you need help filling out the form, go to Grants.gov, click on the contact tab at the top of the page and call them. The people are very helpful.
Let's look at some activities and experiments for the classroom using the PicoTurbine Windmill...
Read... See... Do...
Did you know that is the process that medical interns at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL go through before they
do surgery. Scary! But it tells you that this is the best way for people to learn.
With the Picoturbine Educational Windmill Kit you can do the following:
With a simple picture wire you can show how wind power can produce heat. We think of wind as cold. But when the
mechanical energy of wind is turned into electricity it easily produces heat.
Divide your class into groups. (After all, scientists work in groups.)
Each group can change one variable of an experiment. Then each group can present their project to the class and see which
variable is more productive. Examples: 1) Change size or shape of blades. 2)Change the material used for the blades.
Which one produces more heat?
Which one produces the most electricity?
Which one starts up faster with less effort? You can use a hair blow dryer to produce the "wind."
For High School Thru College
The booklet that comes with the PicoTurbine Educational Kit includes information and formulas on how power can be
extracted from various wind speeds.
There is also information and formulas for producing electricity using alternators.
Which produces more energy... a wind turbine or a hybrid (wind/solar)?
Renewable energy education in the classroom is a must
for our planet's future.
We invite you to contribute new ideas to Renewable Energy Education In the Classroom
by emailing us at madeline(at)super-science-fair-projects.com
Pico (pee'ko) very small Turbine (ter'bine) a motor driven by curved vanes
"The PicoTurbine can produce 1/3 watt -- that's a lot of power when converted to education!"
Designer, J. Stephen Pendergrast.
Duke University year after year visits India to host a project where kids are instructed on Renewable Energy education. Each year they use PicoTurbine Windmill Kits and do many different tests to see how Wind Power works.
