Renewable Energy Lesson: Engineering Project
Lesson Plan
1 hour 15 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Science
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Written by Ashley Nelson, Lindsey Pockl
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn the story of William Kamkwamba and consider how they can help their communities. Students then build their own renewable-powered device and share their project with the broader school community.
Inquire: Students listen to a read aloud of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a story about a Malawian boy named William Kamkwamba who helped bring energy to his community.
Investigate: Students engage in a project to build a renewable-powered device.
Inspire: Students write about their project and share their project with the broader school community.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Students learn the inspiring story of William Kamkwamba and how he brought power to his community.
- Teachers can expand the discussion of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind into an ELA or Reading block using the following resources:
- Teachers can expand conversations about equity and justice using the following resources:
- The Investigate and engineering section of the lesson can be extended beyond one day or class period.
- Some students may need more time to finish their projects. Consider alternative times for students to build their projects before school, at recess, after school, or at home.
- This lesson may need to be postponed if it is not sunny or windy enough on that day.
- Engineers from the community can be invited in to share their expertise and experience with students as a guest speaker or to give feedback to students as they work on their projects.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 4 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy Unit.
- You will need to procure a copy of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind for this lesson. Additionally, videos of the book being read aloud can be found on YouTube if needed.
- Supplies are needed for the design portion of the lesson. Depending on the materials the teacher has available, there are many options for this part of the lesson. There are links to each activity below and notes about the activity. Students can create their model independently, as a class, or in small groups.
- These activities need specialized supplies:
- Simple Wind Generator - Build a working wind generator. This needs a small hobby motor, an LED light, and a fan or windy day.
- Solar House - Build a model of a solar-powered house. This needs a solar panel, a battery pack, LED lights, and a sunny day.
- Solar Wobble Bot - Build a small robot that moves with solar power. This needs a solar panel, a small hobby motor, and a sunny day.
- These activities can be created with readily available supplies:
- Wind Car- Create a car that moves with the wind. This needs skewers, cardboard, bottle caps, and a fan or windy day.
- Solar Oven - Build a solar oven. This needs a pizza box, a black trash bag, and a sunny day.
- These activities need specialized supplies:
- It may be best to check with your administration or team teachers to see if your students can display their projects in a common area. Also, a “please do not touch” sign may be necessary for the display so your students’ creations do not get broken.
Differentiation
- You may not have enough specialized materials (small solar panel, hobby motor, etc.) for all students. Students can work in groups to share these limited materials.
- If you decide to have your students present to another class, encourage every student to have a speaking part.
- Students can be encouraged to bring in materials from home. Be mindful of students who have nicer materials and how other students feel if they are using school materials only.
- Students can research current examples of their chosen project or other renewable-powered devices.
From the scientist review
This lesson engages students to build a renewable energy product. It contains clear illustrations on how to create a product, test it out, and share the innovation with an audience. There are no misconceptions in this lesson. It is advised that this lesson be used in the classroom.
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About the teacher writers
Ashley Nelson
K-2 Science and Technology Teacher
Ashley has been teaching for 16 years and has taught in Vietnam, Thailand, California, and Virginia. She is passionate about teaching STEM, computer science, and technology and empowering teachers to try new things in their classroom practice. She is also a certified Yoga and Mindfulness teacher and believes we must take care of our inner world to care for our external environment properly. She lives in Richmond, Virginia and loves vegan cooking, climate change activism, and connecting to the natural world.
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
