Harness the Wind

Students are required to use at least two materials, but not all are mandatory.

• Card stock
• Plastic cups (e.g. red Solo cup)
• Small cup (e.g. Dixie)
• 3-4 ft of string
• 1 wide straw
• 1 dowel rod
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Rubber bands
• Pennies
• Handheld fan or blow dryer

1. Design a windmill to lift a small cup of pennies using the materials provided. The windmill should include blades, rotational shaft, base, and bucket (small cup) to lift the pennies.
2. Test the windmill using a fan or blow dryer and refine your design.

• How many pennies can your windmill lift?
• Try different blade designs for your windmill. Do different blades change how your windmill operates?
• Research how windmills provide clean energy to power our homes. Have you seen a wind farm in your area?