An investigation on how operational wind turbines are used in secondary classrooms

Through a review of literature, it was found that many schools in the United States are installing operational wind turbines, but it was unclear how teachers were using them in their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classrooms. In order to identify how these operational wind turbines were being used and to create a list of expectations for schools with operational wind turbines, this exploratory study surveyed STEM teachers from all across the United States. A stratified random sample was created using a U.S. Department of Energy database of schools with operational wind turbines. Administrators from the selected schools identified STEM teachers to complete a questionnaire. Teachers provided information about the curriculum they use to teach about wind power and energy concepts, class activities that incorporate operational wind turbines, and how they value operational wind turbines as an educational resource. It was found that a training program for teachers in wind power and energy and operational wind turbines is a critical component to a school\u27s plan if they expect teachers to teach about this subject. A list of activities incorporating operational wind turbines is reported in this paper as well as teachers opinions about using operational wind turbines in class. Also, a need was identified for the design of a wind turbine that is based around education and incorporates a simple, user-friendly interface and is accompanied by specific curriculum that illustrates how to teach about STEM concepts using an operational wind turbine