Blowing in the wind

Middle school technology class takes hands-on approach to alternative sources of energy awareness CENTRAL VALLEY — Students in Jodi Cavanaugh’s seventh grade technology education at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School are getting an early start in the importance of being aware of alternative sources of energy. Students have completed activities and projects which center around solar and wind energy, learning about the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy, according to Cavanaugh. Currently, the class is exploring wind energy, looking at the different ways that the wind’s energy can be harnessed, including sailing vessels and windmills. Students are in the process of finalizing their windmill projects by designing rotor blades for their turbines, Cavanaugh said. They are looking at different shapes and the numbers of blades to see how much electricity they can generate. “It shows me there’s more to electricity than I thought,” said seventh grader Steven Schechtel. “I like the projects. I take it as a sense of competition. I’m hoping, at least, to generate at least one watt of energy. That’s enough maybe to power a light bulb.” Classmate Breya Curry agreed: “This shows me a new way to use wind energy.” Cavanaugh went from station to station, discussing students’ creations and explaining how energy could be generated from their use. “These alternate sources of energy put less polluents in the air,” said Cavanaugh. “In this day and age I wanted to not only introduce them to alternative energies but give them some hands on experience to it. Modern turbines are a very simple technology that can produce enough energy to take care of our electrical needs. Most importantly that they do not hurt our environment as they work. “You just need wind.” - Nancy Kriz