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Renewable Energy Solutions: Rise of the Megacranes

Videos

Grades9, 10, 11, 12Engineering

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Provided by PBS
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What it is

  • This video follows the design and operation of the PTC 210 DS, one of the world's largest cranes, and shows how machines like it make the construction of giant offshore wind turbines possible.
  • The video frames these engineering feats within the larger challenge of transitioning the world's energy production to renewable sources quickly enough to meet climate targets.

Teaching tips

Prerequisites:
  • Ensure students are familiar with clean energy sources, especially wind.
Preparation:
  • Consider printing the provided viewing questions and giving them to students ahead of time.
Classroom Implementation:
  • To hook students into the video, have them predict how giant cranes could be related to climate change solutions.
Extensions:
  • The resource has extension activities linked on the right side of the video.
Literacy Connections:
  • The resource provides a brief glossary for new vocabulary terms mentioned in the video. Consider working these vocabulary terms into existing vocabulary procedures.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
  • Physics:
    • The load-moment and pulley concepts offer a natural link to a physics lesson on force, distance, and mechanical advantage.
Sustainable Development Goals Connections:
  • Use this resource to make connections to SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 13, Climate Action.

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Hosted on pbslearningmedia.org

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