Minds On
Riddle
What is more powerful than an elephant, but lighter than a feather? It howls but has no mouth. It flies but has no wings. You can tell when it has visited, but you cannot see it.
Press ‘Answer’ to access the answer to this riddle.
The wind!
Energy is hard to notice, but we can notice what energy can do for us. Wind is the same: we can feel it and we can notice if it has moved or changed something.
Wind energy
This learning activity highlights people, places, or innovations that relate directly to the province of Ontario. Enjoy the exploration!
Most farms produce fruits, vegetables, grains, or meat. Some farms produce energy. The wind farm in the following image produces energy for the community in Goderich, Ontario.
Ontario uses wind power as part of our energy plan because this is energy that we can gather from the world around us. The wind is turning the windmill, which helps to make energy for us.
Check out the following video of wind turbines in Kingston, Ontario.
What do you think is making the wind turbine spin around?
Press ‘Answer’ to access what is making the wind turbine spin.
Wind is making the turbine spin! Wind is a type of energy. The meaning of the word energy is being able to move or change something.
Action
Exploring the wind!
We are now going to design and build or describe a paper or cup pinwheel so that you can notice the wind in action.
Before thinking about your design, explore these pictures and definitions of the engineering design process. For this activity you will be using these steps: ask, brainstorm, plan
Press the following tabs to access these steps.
In Science we ask questions to help us figure out what the problem is.
Brainstorming is when you think about ideas like how to solve a problem.
When you plan something, you think about the steps you have to follow and the materials you will need.
Create your design!
When creating designs, you need to make many decisions. Some materials you can use for this activity are:
Safety reminder
When using materials like scissors or a push pin, please ask an adult to assist you.
Use the following checklists and record a description or drawing of your design and materials in a format of your choice. Using labels helps to explain your plans for building.
Design checklist
When I create a design, I…
Include in your design…
Pinwheel design
Explore the following video to learn how to design and build a pinwheel!
Explore this video of pinwheels turning. As you explore, take note of how the pinwheels spin.
Did the pinwheels spin fast or slow?
For the sentence, select the missing word from the dropdown menu.
What do you think made them spin like that?
Record your answer in a method of your choice.
Station selection
How could you choose where to place a windmill so that it spins in action?
You might think about…
- Does it spin evenly or is it starting and stopping?
- Where might it spin faster?
What does the pinwheel need to make it spin? How will you share your results? You could make a drawing of where the windmill might spin fast and add your descriptions.
Hamza and the Rangers go for a walk along the seaside on a windy day. They notice people having fun on the water.
Match the type of power to the activity where it is used.
People can’t see the wind, but they can notice how it affects the world around us.
What do you notice moving with the help of the wind?
Check off all that you notice.
Consolidation
Share your learning
How would you explain to someone that both energy and wind are invisible, but they can change or move things?
Share some ways you can have fun with the wind too!
You might start your sentences with:
- I can notice the wind when it…
- The wind can help us…
- The wind moves…
Record your voice, make a video, or create a drawing to explain how your pinwheel works.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.