Plan
- What will your hydroelectric turbine look like?
- How can you ensure that moving water will move the turbine?
- What do you know about real-life hydroelectric dams and turbines?
Do
- Head outside to an area that will have water run off during the rain (or that you can create a current in) - a culvert, small stream or home's downspout would work. Design and create a hydroelectric turbine will which spin during the next rainstorm.
- Throw on your rain gear, and head out during the next rainstorm to see your hydroelectric turbine in action
Review
- How effective was your turbine? What would you improve for next time?
- Was the flow of water an issue for your turbine (too little or too much water)?
- How do real hydroelectric turbines ensure a consistent flow of water?
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Remember to submit your activities on our Scouts for Sustainability Take Action Map
Materials
- Various material which could be used in turbine design (cardboard, tinfoil, fabric, plastic wrap, corks)
- Skewer or straw (to allow for turbine rotation)
- Tape and or glue
- Scissors
Keep it Simple
- If you’re looking for a quicker activity, you can make a turbine that works under the faucet. This way, you’ll have more control over the flow of the water.
Take it Further
- See if you can use your turbine to perform a task – like moving or pulling an object.
