Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Identify the factors which provide an optimum location for the placement of a wind turbine
• Locate on a map the current locations of wind farms in Canada as well as the ideal locations for wind farms in Canada
• Explain the importance of wind energy to Canada

Teaching Process

· (Prior to the lesson) Make a paper windmill and test it out at various locations around the school campus to ascertain good and poor wind turbine locations.

· At the beginning of the lesson, ask students to identify the paper windmill. Some students would have played with such a toy as young children.

· Introduce the concept of a wind turbine.

· Distribute the materials and instructions to enable each student to make his/her own paper windmill.

· Provide students with a sketch map of the school campus with 5 - 7 locations where they can test their windmills (prepare this ahead of time).

· When students return, moderate a whole class discussion whereby students evaluate each site on the school campus – mark the ratings on the overhead map.

· Discuss the factors that make a site suitable for wind energy generation.

· Discuss whether your specific location in Canada is well suited to wind energy production.


Second Lesson (computer lab)

· Distribute the outline maps of Canada and the worksheet entitled “Wind Energy in Canada.”

· Guide the students as they work through the computer/web-based activities on their worksheet.

-Discuss the results of the students’ web-based research into current wind energy production in Canada and its potential for the future.

Teachers Notes

*Student worksheet is located at the bottom of the attached lesson plan

Instructions for Students

· Identify the teacher’s new toy.

· Follow the instructions to construct your own paper windmill.

· Once completed, find the locations highlighted on the sketch map of your school campus by your teacher.

· At each site, test its suitability for a wind turbine using your model windmill – hold the windmill up high above your head and give the site a rating based on how fast the windmill turns (1 is poor and 10 is excellent).

· For each site, list the factors that made it a good or poor windmill site.

· Rate each site in a whole class forum.


Second Lesson

· With reference to the map located at http://www.canwea.ca/farms/wind-farms_e.php write the number of wind energy plants in each province/territory on the outline map of Canada provided by your teacher.

· Complete the activities on the worksheet.
Prepare to contribute your findings to a discussion in a whole class forum.

Assessment/Evaluation

Collect student work and assess their understanding of the site factors which contribute to wind energy production in Canada.