Power of the Wind

The Power of Wind: Energizing Our Future is a pilot project designed to ignite youth learning, curiosity, and leadership in renewable energy. 4 groups of youth (11-13 years of age) in eack of the six participating states will explore the wind energy resources in their state and local communities, using hands-on learning to gain a deeper understanding of the science, engineering and technology behind wind energy production. 

Youth will be challenged to see the ‘big picture’ surrounding renewable energy and to create service learning opportunities that help others in their communities make sense of this new frontier. Adults will be trained to engage youth in the Power of Wind curriculum using inquiry-based strategies.

The Power of Wind: Energizing Our Future will be piloted in six states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri and Texas.  These six states are in the top twenty states for annual wind energy potential as measured in billions of kilowatt hours in the United States (American Wind Energy Association, 2008).

 

ON-LINE NETWORK

A private on-line network has been created for the participants in the pilot project to share ideas, discuss issues, share pictures and videos, and list your events. You can interact with participants from all 6 states or with members from your state only.

At this time, only those involved in the pilot project will receive access to this network.

Join the Network

As a first time user, you will have to apply for membership into the network. The network moderator will ask you to submit verification that you are working on this project and approve your membership.

 

SCHEDULE

June-September 2009:
- Youth and adults explore a site or visit with a wind energy scientist
- Youth and adults work through nine additional lessons
- Master Explorers will use curriculum/project training offered via webinar to train new Adult Explorers
- Youth and adult groups will connect across sites and states through Access 4-H to exchange project ideas, resources, questions, etc
- Refine lessons, resources, online approach based

September 2009:
- “First Wind Energy Lesson” repeated via webcast with existing 4-H afterschool groups/clubs participating from each state
- Training Team and Design Team joint meeting at University of Minnesota to review progress and plan for 2010

October-December 2009:
- Continued implementation of project with revisions across states

October 2009:
- Aggregate implementation measure data across states

December 2009:
- Recognize volunteers in various roles across the project

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

Roles for this project include: Design Team, Training Team, Advisory Group, Master Explorers, Adult Explorers, Youth, State Contacts, and Volunteer Manager. Read the descriptions.