A water wheel and a simple AC generator are combined to construct a hydroelectric generator that will enhance students’ engineering skills and allow for a full appreciation of a monumental development from the Industrial Revolution!
In the modern day, we are well accustomed to having electricity in our homes, schools and offices; this energy comes from many types of power plants. At the budding of the industrial revolution in the 18th century, the main source of industrial power was produced by water wheels. Initially used to convert the potential energy of free-flowing water to mechanical energy, the discovery of induced electric currents led to the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. Student understanding increases as they actually see how energy from falling water is converted into electricity. A water wheel and a simple AC generator are combined to construct a hydroelectric generator that will enhance students’ engineering skills and allow for a full appreciation of a monumental development from the Industrial Revolution!
Complete for 24 students working in groups of 4.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Asking questions and defining problems Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Obtaining, evaluation, and communicating information
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer HS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
Crosscutting Concepts
Systems and system models Energy and matter Structure and function
Performance Expectations
HS-PS3-3. Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
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