Resources

Students learn the concept of resources and the ways of using and conserving some of the common resources we use in our everyday life. In the process, the students learn to build a land yacht and a windmill that utilize an unconventional and naturally renewable energy resource. In addition, the students learn to read electric meters, develop written plans for estimating and implementing a home conservation program. Each unit includes supplies necessary for 20 students to complete 10 one-hour hands-on sessions, instructional DVDs, activity sheets, lesson plans, and program completion certificates. (Note: the pictures do not show the program in its entirety.)

• Week 1-10: You are in charge of doing a compete energy audit of your home. Simple things can make a big difference as you become the “energy auditor”. You’ll learn how to read the crazy meter outside that tells the electric company how much to charge you. You learn great ways to slow down the spinning dials.

• Week 2-3: How do batteries work? We use all the time, but usually don’t understand how that little device can store so much energy. You’re going to be the smartest kid on the block, because you are going to build a battery capable of lighting a small LED.

• Week 4: Renewable and nonrenewable resources. You’ll be an expert after this activity in determining what should and should be recycled and renewed.

• Week 5: You’ll be a hero at home, when you can actually demonstrate how much a leaky faucet can cost if it’s allowed to drip, drip, drip. Stopping the drip, can save your family lots of money.

• Week 6: Polymers and Plastics. Did you know that most everything made of plastic starts out as a tiny bead? You’ll be putting on your detective hat as you use science to determine what beads become what plastics. You’ll also learn a lot about many different plastics and that characteristics and capabilities.

• Week 7-8: Wind is a resource that we have barely tapped into. You’ll be designing, building, testing and competing your very own land yacht racer. Will yours be faster than everyone else’s?

• Week 9-10: This is a fun project that will have you designing a windmill that will generate more micro-horsepower than anyone else’s windmill. It’s up to you to figure out the blade design and configuration.