Grade Levels: 6th
Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
Summary:
Students will observe a model waterwheel to investigate the transformations of energy involved tuning the blades of a hydro-turbine. They work as engineers to create model waterwheels while considering resources such as time and materials, in their design.
Objective:
Students will be able to
- Identify dams as a source of hydropower.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of human-made dams.
- Explain how engineers design and redesign hydropower technologies.
Materials:
- Water or soda bottle with holes drilled in the cap and the bottom of the bottle to fit wooden dowel, 1 per group
- Duct tape
- Wooden dowel
- String
- Fin materials (cardboard, index cards, straws, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, spoons)
- Plastic wrap
- X-Acto Knife (teacher use only)
- Scissors
- Water
Adapted from “Water Power” by TeachEngineering.org and “Water Wheels and Hydropower” by zSpace.com