Hydrokinetic (Tidal/River) Turbines for the Classroom
Dr. Sue Molloy and Dr. Aaron MacNeill have designed a mini tidal or river turbine system for use in classrooms and in rivers and streams. Simon Herbinger, EIT, helped our team streamline a low cost, PLA 3D printed, Lego brick and wood system that sustainably fits in with the concepts of design and maker space activities currently used in elementary and secondary school curriculum.
The system has been demonstrated at student and teacher workshops in Nova Scotia and will be used at similar workshops in New Brunswick and British Columbia this summer (2019).
For recent updates on our workshops and demonstrations see photos below
The system has been demonstrated at student and teacher workshops in Nova Scotia and will be used at similar workshops in New Brunswick and British Columbia this summer (2019).
For recent updates on our workshops and demonstrations see photos below
Turbine Kit $100(Cad) + Tax & ShippingThis turbine kit comes with 3D printing files for replacement parts, Lego parts for construction and easy replacement and exercises for the classroom
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Electronic Analysis Kit $TBD (Cad) +tax & shippingAdd-on Kit to bring data from the turbine into any computer for plotting and analysis teaching.
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Testing - how-to and tips
TBC
Running the test - Tip 1We run tests with these kits in flowing water. This can be a stream, a hose with good pressure or a pond pump such as this one from Amazon - Pump
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Running the test - Tip 2An LED light bulb and cables are included in the test. Make sure to place the turbine in direct flow so that the turbine will turn quickly enough to light the bulb.
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Recent News
Grades 4 and 5
We had a demonstration before the end of the 2018/19 school year in a grade 4/5 split class. We built the turbines (1 per 3-4 kids) and ran them in the staff kitchen sink with a pond pump used to push the blades and we measure the power produced with a multimeter. We didn't get into the details but went through the process - the kids loved it! |
Demo of kits at the Ocean Teacher Training Workshop NS, July 2019
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