Life around the Turbines
Build a load bearing wind turbine:
Aim: For groups to design and build a load bearing turbine with varying rotor blade sizes in order to test how
design may influence the amount of energy produced.
By following the instructions below you will be able to build your own load bearing turbine in the classroom. We
offer two methods to build the base of the turbine which require different materials and result in the
construction of more or less robust bases. The shaft and rotor base use can be the same.
Shaft and rotor base (One per team or individual)
Materials:

1 wooden rod <1cm diameter (~35
cm)

1 piece of cardboard cut into a
circle (~7.5 cm diameter)

PVA glue

1 drawing pin/ small nail
Instructions:
1. Stick the piece of cardboard to the end of the rod, securing it with the glue and small pin. Reserve.
Base Method A (quick and easy to make less robust)
Materials:
•
1 small plastic bottle (with lid)
•
1 piece of cardboard cut into a rectangle
(~30x10 cm)
•
1 small load (lightweight toy, paper clip,
etc)
•
1 piece of string (~50 cm)
•
Tape
•
Split pins or Stapler
Instructions:
1. Cut a big window on the side of a small plastic bottle, as shown in the picture above.
2. Make a hole on the bottom of the bottle just wide enough for the rod to go through. Leave the lid on
the opposite end as it will work as a stopper for the rod.
3. Use the split pins or stapler to secure the bottle to the cardboard rectangle, along the edge of the
window.
© MBA Education. For non-profit use only.
www.mba.ac.uk/education
Life around the Turbines
4. Tape the base to the edge of a table top.
5. Place the rod through the hole and attach the string to the rod as shown in the figure above.
6. Attach the small object to the other end of the string.
Base Method B (Takes some time to make but more robust)
Materials:
•
2 drilled wooden blocks (~4.5x4.5 cm)
•
1 wooden rectangle (~30x10 cm)
•
1 back stopper of your choice (small bent flat
pack furniture spanner, screw and washer, or extra
wooden block)
•
1 small load (lightweight toy, paper clip, etc)
•
1 piece of string (~50 cm)
•
PVA glue
•
Tape
Instructions:
1. Cut a wooden base that measures approximately 30x10 cm.
2. Prepare two 4.5x4.5 cm wooden blocks and drill a whole right through the centre of each block. Ensure
both holes are at the same height and align with each other.
3. Use PVA glue to stick the blocks to the base, ensuring the holes are aligned.
4. For the back stopper, you may use an extra piece of wood or, as shown in figure B, bend a spare flat
pack furniture spanner to a 90˚ angle and then screw it to the base with a washer. Regardless of the
method chosen, just ensure the stopper is aligned with the holes in the blocks.
5. Place the rod in through the holes and ensure the rod can spin.
6. Attach the end of the string to the rod using tape and as show in the figure.
7. Attach the small object to the other end of the string.
Once your turbine bases are ready, get students into small groups (one shaft and rotor base per group). Provide
teams with a range of materials including card, scissors, tape, paper, straws etc. Ask teams to design and build
their own turbines using the base you have provided. Using a fan to make the blades spin, test the different
blade designs, using a timer to test how long does each one take to lift the small object at the end of the string.
Discuss the differences with the class.
View a film of the turbines in action here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmPqsLXgPVo&feature=youtu.be
© MBA Education. For non-profit use only.
www.mba.ac.uk/education
Life around the Turbines
Building a turbine
A selection of finished turbines
© MBA Education. For non-profit use only.
www.mba.ac.uk/education