Designing and making an electric windmill or fan
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 3 (end of Year 6) | |
| Grade B | Lesley Courtney |
| Grade C | Drew Kendall Ariel Jules |
| Grade D | Robyn Darcy Casey |
Foundation Statement strands
The following strands are covered in this activity:
Description of activity
Students design and make a windmill or fan turned by a simple electric circuit.
Instructions:
- Students select and use the materials provided by the teacher to design and make a windmill or fan.
- They investigate ways that these materials can be connected to make an electric circuit that will turn the windmill or fan.
- Students record their findings and make a drawing of their windmill or fan and electric circuit.
- They test their design and reflect on the results.
Suggested materials
1.5 volt batteries, an electric motor, a switch, aluminium foil strips or wires, sticky tape paddle pop sticks, paper, glue, paper cups
Prior learning
This task is a small part of a Science and Technology unit of work on electrical energy. In this learning unit students have engaged in a variety of first-hand experiences which will increase their understanding of electrical energy (electricity). They have conducted investigations with simple materials such as wires, batteries and light bulbs to make simple circuits. Students have researched and tested insulators and conductors, and devised a switch that will turn a light bulb on and off.
Outcomes
Physical Phenomena (PP S3.4)
Identifies and applies processes involved in manipulating, using and changing the form of energy.
Designing and Making (DM S3.8)
Develops and resolves a design task by planning, implementing, managing and evaluating design processes.
Using Technology (UT S3.9)
Evaluates, selects and uses a range of equipment, computer-based technology, materials and other resources to meet the requirements and constraints of investigation and design tasks.
Criteria for assessing learning
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- select and use appropriate materials and tools to design and make a working windmill
- use drawings to record their observations and circuit design
- suggest improvements to their design.