Learning Experience 1.11
Wind Turbine Design
Name:
Date:
Class:
This assessment requires you to complete 2 parts:
Part A: Design a wind turbine and report.
Part B: Essay on wind power.
PART A: DESIGN A WIND TURBINE AND REPORT
Your task is to design a wind turbine that will be the most efficient at
converting wind energy into mechanical energy.
You can make your wind turbine out of any household materials you would
like, but it will need to be designed in such a way that is can be easily
attached to a piece of dowel and still turn freely.
Your wind turbine will be judged by how many complete rotations it makes in 2
minutes when it is placed 50cm away from a desk fan.
What might affect your wind turbines ability to turn?
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Number of blades
Construction material
Length of blades
Angle of the blades
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You might like to construct your wind turbine out of:
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Aluminum pie dishes
Styrofoam cups
Stiff card
Plastic
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You will need to conduct preliminary tests in order to get the best design. It is
important to not only have a good design, but you must be able to show the
process you took to find it.
Therefore you will need to submit a report that must include the following
sections and sub sections
Preliminary Tests
o Identify the variables you tested.
o The method you used to trial your designs.
o The results of these trials in table and graph form.
Final Design
o A material list identifying all equipment you used in the final
construction.
o The method you used to construct your wind turbine.
o A labelled diagram of your turbine.
o A justification of why you chose this final design.
As well as your report you must also submit your wind turbine to be tested.
PART B: WIND POWER ESSAY
The second part of your assessment requires you to plan, draft and present a
2 page essay that considers:
“What is the potential of wind power to reduce our current dependence on
fossil fuels to meet energy needs in Australia?”
You will need to follow the I.C.P. ladder process to guide the planning and
development of your essay task. Given the loose essay topic provided you are
charged with the responsibility of refining this topic into a viewpoint statement
that your essay will cover. As part of your planning you will need to ensure
you develop your 3 Levels of Focus Questions to guide your research and
essay structure. You must use the paragraph framework to draft your essay
paragraphs. A paragraph plan framework is provided.
You will need to submit the following
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A completed A3 I.C.P. Planning sheet.
All note-taking addressing all focus questions and your paragraph plan.
A paragraph plan outlining the main idea of each paragraph.
A completed paragraph framework for each of your paragraphs
A final copy of your completed essay.
A resource list showing where you got your information from. You need
to have used at least three different resources.
Due Date: _________________________________________________
Name:
Part B: Wind Power Essay – Plan
Date:
Class:
Initial Essay Topic:
“What is the potential of wind power to reduce our current dependence on
fossil fuels to meet energy needs in Australia?”
My Refined Essay Topic:
Essay Plan
Points I want to make in my introduction:
Main Idea 1:
Supporting Evidence:
Main Idea 2:
Supporting Evidence:
Main Idea 3:
Supporting Evidence:
Main Idea 4:
Supporting Evidence:
Points and viewpoints I want to make in my conclusion
Marking Key: Investigating Scientifically
Preliminary Tests
PLANNING
CONDUCTING
PROCESSING
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Independent &
Dependent
Variables
I can identify the
independent
variable
I can identify
independent & dependent
variable
Method
I can write a
method in simple
ordered steps
I attempt to
identify the
independent &
dependent variables
I can write a method
in ordered numerical
steps
When I plan the experiment I
show a good understanding of
the independent and
dependent variables
I can analyse a problem &
thoroughly plan my
investigation and may modify
my technique through
preliminary testing
Organising
Observations
I organise my
observations in
simple formats: as
pictures, words,
numbers. I can fill
in provided tables
I can draw and
complete a simple
observations table
Use of
Equipment
I attempt to use
equipment in a
proper and safe
way
I can make
statements and
comparisons eg.
rankings
I use equipment in a
consistent and safe
manner
I compare events
in words
I can thoroughly design a
method which clearly
specifies what is to be
recorded. I might include
a control and repeat
trials
I can draw a table which
included repeat trials &
averages. I show correct
units. My variable
measurements change in
gradual amounts.
I can draw and complete
complex matrix-designed
tables.
I can demonstrate
consistency and accuracy
when measuring and using
equipment
I make measurements
with appropriate accuracy
and I make more than
one measurement for
each test. I use correct
units.
I use preliminary tests to
modify technique and select
the right equipment to
enhance accuracy.
I make sufficient
measurements for reliability
and select the most
appropriate unit.
I can graph my
findings
I can calculate averages
and draw an appropriate
graph; type and averages
I can draw graphs with labels,
line of best fit and well
balanced scales
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Method
I can write a
method in simple
ordered steps
I can write a method
in ordered numerical
steps
I can thoroughly design a
method which clearly
specifies what is to be
recorded. I might include
a control and repeat
trials
I can analyse a problem &
thoroughly plan my
investigation and may modify
my technique through
preliminary testing
Evaluating
Findings
I comment on
whether what
happened was
expected.
I can identify
difficulties within
my investigation
I can make sound
suggestions for improving
my investigation
I can explain improvements to
my measurements, use of
equipment, repetition of trials,
replicates and uncontrolled
variables in the investigation.
I can indicate additional
variables/measurements to be
made.
Measurements
Data Processing
I can make simple
measurements made
and attempt to use
of units.
Final Design
PLANNING
EVALUATIN
G
Applications
I attempt to give an
application
I can suggest a related
application
I propose and explain a
specific applications
The source of this Investigating Scientifically Marking Key is unknown.
Rubric
Level
2
3
Earth and
Beyond
Identify uses for
wind.
Relate the
location of wind
farms to their
importance to
Australia.
Energy and
Change
Resources
Describe the
different ways
wind power can be
used
Categorise
energy resources.
Recognise that
wind power is an
energy source for
many different
requirements.
Relate emissions
to the changes
they cause to the
atmosphere.
4
Understand that
natural resources
can be used to
provide energy
requirements.
Predict the
changes in
emission levels
with the
widespread use of
wind power.
Assess wind
power as an
alternative energy
resource to oil and
Recognise that
people engage in
different
activities, utilising
energy resources.
Understand that
different energy
resources and
activities can be
grouped into
categories.
Explain how
people manage
and use energy
resources.
Compare different
sources of energy
in terms of their
ease of use, cost
and effects on
living things and
the environment.
Understand the
link between
emission levels
and the
greenhouse effect.
5
Identify ways
energy resources
are used.
Analyse the
efficiency of
applications that
use wind power in
Categorise
different forms of
activities people
engage in,
utilising energy
resources.
Examine
alternative
choices to
utilising available
energy resources.
Explain how
people’s
circumstance and
decisions reflect
their choices in
accessing energy
resources.
Examine how
access to energy
resources can be
managed more
effectively.
Examine the link
between energy
resource
availability and
Investigation,
Communication
and Participation
With teacher
direction you can
follow an
investigation and
collect information.
You are able to
describe what you
have found out and
present this from
your own point of
view.
With teacher
guidance you can
select aspects of a
topic to investigate
and record
information from
more than one
source.
You are able to draw
simple inferences
from his information
to support a point of
view.
You can negotiate
an investigation and
collect and record
accurate information
from different
sources and points
of view.
You are able to
combine this
information to
support and make
simple
generalisations in
your presentation
which presents an
informed opinion.
You can plan an
investigation and
use appropriate data
collecting and
coal.
terms of energy
input and output.
usage.
Explain how wind
power is utilised
now and how it
might be utilised
in the future.
Evaluate the
factors that
determine the
availability of
energy resources.
Use a greenhouse
model to describe
how human
activity and
resource use can
impact our global
environment.
Examine how
people can
manage their
available energy
resources more
effectively.
Predict possible
trends in global
warming if the way
wind power is
used changes.
recording
techniques.
You use discipline
language to explain
patterns in the
evidence and to
draw conclusions.
Your presentation
shows that you have
considered facts,
opinions and
motives for
particular
viewpoints.