Climate Education
Wind Power: Blowing In The Breeze
November 19, 2024
Guide for Middle Schoolers
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Time to blow your socks off with wind power!
What is Wind Energy?
Have you ever felt the wind blowing through your hair? Well believe it or not that wind can be turned into electricity!
Big machines called wind turbines help capture the wind’s power. Most wind farms, where many turbines are found, are on land, but some are built in the ocean too! There are two main types of wind turbines:
- Horizontal-axis turbines – These are the tall ones that look like giant fans.
- Vertical-axis turbines – These look like spinning egg beaters!
How Do Wind Farms Work?
The electricity a wind farm can make depends on two things: how fast the wind blows and how many turbines are on the farm. The more wind and the more turbines mean the more electricity! It’s like having more friends to help you blow up a lot of balloons—more wind equals more power!
A Leader in Wind Energy
Germany is a superstar when it comes to wind energy! By the end of 2023, they had over 28,677 wind turbines on land, producing enough electricity to power 50 million homes. That’s like lighting up a whole city! Germany also has 29 wind farms offshore, in the ocean, making them one of the top countries for wind energy.
Learning About Wind Energy
In Germany, schools and universities are teaching students all about wind energy. Students can choose special degrees focused on wind power, especially at places like the University of Bayreuth. Other schools like the University of Oldenburg and Leibniz Universität Hannover also offer degrees related to wind energy. You can become a specialist in wind energy!
Cool School Projects for a Green Future
To help save energy, schools in Germany are getting creative! One project called Clever fürs Klima helps schools reduce their energy use by at least 10% each year. Another project, Halbe-Halbe, rewards schools that save energy with money back! In one school year, 14 schools saved 40,000 euros, which they could use for fun new projects.
Wind Energy in U.S. Schools, Too
In the United States, wind energy in schools is picking up some speed too. Over 30 states, more than 100 schools are already using wind energy systems.
Globally, there are also many schools that utilize wind power. In New Zealand, Raglan Area School is powered by wind, inspiring students and community members alike to think about innovative ways to create a cleaner, greener future!.
By using wind energy, these schools not only help the environment but also save the school money while teaching students about important topics like clean energy, engineering, and science!
The Future Looks Breezy
The world is getting really good at using wind energy, and that’s super exciting! When we harness the power of the wind, we help our planet in many ways. First, wind energy doesn’t create any smoke or pollution, which means we get to breathe cleaner air. This is important because it helps keep us healthy!
Plus, using wind energy helps fight climate change, a big problem that makes our weather change in strange ways. By reducing the bad greenhouse gasses that can harm our planet, which are created by old fashioned fossil fuels, we’re making sure it stays beautiful for you and future kids. And guess what? Building more wind farms also creates jobs for people, giving them new opportunities! So, by investing in wind energy, we’re not just helping ourselves today; we’re taking care of the Earth for tomorrow!
So, next time you feel the wind, remember—it’s not just for flying kites; it’s also powering our homes and your schools!
If you are a student and want to learn more about the other renewable energy sources you can here in The Middle Schoolers Guide to Renewable Energy and consider exploring these books:
Solar Story by Allan Drummond, best for ages 4 to 8. This book is based on the origin story of a solar installation in Toucan, Mali. This follows the changes solar energy has on a community.
The Boy Who Harnessed Wind, Young Reader’s Edition by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, best for ages 8 to 12. The book takes place in a place where resources are limited. Following the main character, readers experience courage, hope, and resiliency.
Planet Power: Explore the World’s Renewable Energy by Stacy P. Clark, best for ages 8 to 12. What is renewable energy? Clark discusses wind, solar, hydro, geothermal —in a way that is both accessible and exciting.
Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy Future by James Morton Turner, best for ages 12 to 16
This is a bit more in depth! James Turner discusses the extraction of raw materials like lithium and cobalt, the environmental costs of battery production, and the broad scaling of supply chains. He emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in battery innovation. Furthermore, he covers the need for sustainable technologies to meet the world’s demand for electricity.
