Can you build a vehicle powered entirely by wind?
In this hands-on workshop, students will design and construct their own wind-powered vehicles using everyday materials such as cardboard, paper, straws and skewers. They'll explore how moving air can generate force and discover how sail design influences the movement and performance of their creations.
As they build and experiment, students will investigate how different sail shapes, sizes and positions affect speed, stability and the ability to carry loads. They'll put their vehicles to the test, comparing designs to discover which can travel the furthest and transport the heaviest loads using only wind power. Through testing and refinement, they'll explore how engineers harness renewable energy to create practical solutions.
This workshop combines mechanical engineering, physics and creative problem solving in an engaging experience that demonstrates the potential of wind as a renewable energy source.
Learning Outcomes
Renewable energy and sustainability
Understand how wind energy can be harnessed to produce movement and explore its applications in sustainable technologies.Forces and motion
Investigate how wind resistance, friction and aerodynamic forces influence vehicle movement and performance.Problem solving and iteration
Test vehicle performance, compare results and refine designs to improve speed, distance and load-carrying capacity.Design and creativity
Experiment with different sail shapes, sizes and construction techniques to develop efficient and effective wind-powered vehicles.
