Science Investigatory Project

(SIP)
Mini Wind Turbine

Leah Bartolome
Adviser

Shaller Gacadan
Researcher

Kalinga State University

December 2022

Table Of Contents
Title Page ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

Abstract & Summary ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

Introduction & Terms and Concepts …………………………………………………………………………. 4

Questions & Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Abstract

Alternative energy sources are a big deal these days. One such source is the wind. Find out
how a wind turbine can use the power of the wind to generate energy in this science project.
You'll design various blades to find out which produces the most energy, and put the wind to
work for you.

Summary

Difficulty

Intermediate

Time Required

Under 2days

Material Availability

Readily Available

Cost

Low (not over 30php)

Safety

Very safe for children at the age of 9+

Introduction

Nowadays, the need for reliable sources of energy has a lot of people talking about wind
power. Wind power is collected using wind turbines, It’s a tall pole structures with a machine at
the top that looks like a very large fan. Instead of blowing air, however, turbines catch the air.
When the wind blows, it makes the blades of the fan, called rotors, spin around, which moves
the turbine on the inside and generates electricity. Basically, the wind does work on the turbine
when it makes it spin. Work is an application of energy, which makes something move. The
energy from the wind's work is taken by the turbine and converted into electricity for use in
homes and cities.

What is it about the shape of a rotor on a wind turbine that makes it spin easily in the wind? Is
it because of the aerodynamics of the rotor its shape and curvature? In this science project, you
will investigate the efficiency of the rotors of a turbine by making a small turbine model and
several rotors, varying their shapes and curvatures. You will determine efficiency by
measuring energy output using work. The wind turbine model will do work on a small weight by
hauling it up from the ground to the top of the turbine. This will represent the energy output of
a wind turbine. You will measure the output of each rotor design by how much weight it can
haul its the rotor that hauls the most weight is the most efficient design. What are you waiting
for? Let's put the wind to work!

Terms And Concepts

 Wind Power

 Wind Turbine

 Work
 Aerodynamics
 Efficiency
 Energy
 Tower
 Foundatio
 Questions

 How does a wind turbine make energy from wind?

 Why does a wind turbine need to have a good aerodynamic design?
 Why is a demonstration of work (hauling a weight) the same thing as generating
electricity?

Bibliography

This is a children's science dictionary, which can be used to look up the terms listed in the
Introduction:

- Kleinedler, Steven. The American Heritage Children's Science Dictionary. Boston: Houghton

Mifflin Company, 2003.

This is a more standard science dictionary, which also can be used to look up the terms listed in
the Introduction:

-Kleinedler, Steven, ed. The American Heritage Science Dictionary. 1st ed. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin Company, 2005.

This website provides an excellent picture of the aerodynamics of wind turbines, and gives an
explanation of wind -power:

-Layton, J. (2008). How Wind Power Works. HowStuffWorks, Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2008.

This science fair project is based on the demonstration found on pages 28-29 of this book. How
is this science fair project different from the demonstration found in the book?

-Parker, Steve. The Science of Air. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2005.

Here is a website with a good general explanation of what wind turbines are and how they
work:

- Alliant Energy. Wind Power. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2012.