Weld a Water Wheel

This is a hands-on learning experience focused on electricity and its connection to natural resources. Through this trip, students will learn about the importance of protecting and maintaining natural resources while exploring the concepts of renewable and nonrenewable resources. Additionally, they will discover how a water wheel can be utilized to harness renewable energy. The students will participate in a hands-on welding workshop to create a waterwheel. They will be guided by trained professionals who will teach them the basics of welding and its applications. Students will have the opportunity to test how much electrical energy their welded water wheel is able to create.

Grades 6-12

Half-Day

Price

This course typically costs between $30 and $60 per student.

Location

These classes are held in Innovation Academy's state-of-the-art classroom at The Garden, or on-site at your location.

Schedule

This course runs for 4 hours. It can also be combined with other courses or activities for a full-day or multi-day event.

Audience

We can typically accommodate 10-50 students for this field trip.

  • 6.4 - The student will investigate and understand that there are basic sources of energy and that energy can be transformed. Key ideas include:

    • A - the sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth;

    • B - Earth’s energy budget relates to living systems and Earth’s processes;

    • C - radiation, conduction, and convection distribute energy; and

    • D - energy transformations are important in energy usage.

    6.9 - The student will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Key ideas include:

    • A - natural resources are important to protect and maintain;

    • B - renewable and nonrenewable resources can be managed;

    • C - major health and safety issues are associated with air and water quality;

    • D - major health and safety issues are related to different forms of energy;

    • E - preventive measures can protect land-use and reduce environmental hazards; and

      F - there are cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies.

  • CH.6 - The student will investigate and understand that the phases of matter are explained by the kinetic molecular theory. Key ideas include:

    • A - pressure and  temperature define the phase of a substance;

    • B - properties of ideal gases are described by gas laws; and

    • C - intermolecular forces affect physical properties.

    CH.7 - The student will investigate and understand that thermodynamics explains the relationship between matter and energy. Key ideas include:

    • A - heat energy affects matter and interactions of matter;

    • B - heating curves provide information about a substance;

    • C - reactions are endothermic or exothermic;

    • D - energy changes in reactions occur as bonds are broken and formed;

    • E - collision theory predicts the rate of reactions;

    • F - rates of reactions depend on catalysts and activation energy; and

    • G - enthalpy and entropy determine the extent of a reaction.

  • PH.8 - The student will investigate and understand, through mathematical and experimental processes, that electrical circuits are a system used to transfer energy. Key ideas include:

    • A - circuit components have different functions within the system;

    • B - Ohm’s law relates voltage, current, and resistance;

    • C - different types of circuits have different characteristics and are used for different purposes;

    • D - electrical power is related to the elements in a circuit; and

    • E - electrical circuits have everyday applications.