Tag Archives: Renewable Energy

P6M, Renewable Energy, science, Technology, visits

A Visit to Whitelee Windfarm near East Kilbride

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On November 3rd 2011 P6M visited Whitelee Windfarm. The weather was good to us and we enjoyed a great day. This windfarm is the largest on-shore windfarm in Europe. At the moment there are 140 turbines with 75 more planned for the near future. Each turbine can produce enough electricity to service 1 300 homes.

In the morning we explored just a small area, making our way along the tracks until we got to the reservoirs. The wind turbines were gigantic and although you could hear a whooshing noise as the blades turned they weren’t noisy. Whilst standing underneath the turbine you could easily carry on a conversation without having to raise your voice. We were enjoying ourselves so much that we had to get back to the visitor centre quickly to get our lunch before the second part of the visit began.

In the afternoon we split into two groups. One group went on the tour and into the exhibition inside the visitor centre whilst the other group went into the workshop to conduct an experiment to find out how many blades and what shape blades would give the best output.

collaboration, P6M, Renewable Energy, Technology

Solar Power

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As part of our topic work we have been investigating solar power.  We have some small photovoltaic cells that converts light to electrical energy to power a small motor.  Before the October holiday we wired up the photovoltaic cells to the motor and got it working.  We had a go at wiring it up the opposite way and found that the motor whizzed around in the opposite direction.

Today we worked in our groups to make a working model using solar power.  We had some very grand ideas and found with the materials we were using our ideas didn’t always work and we had to make some adaptations – some minor and some major. In the end each group managed to make a model they could be proud of. All the models had a moving part powered by solar power and everyone was very pleased with their afternoon’s work.

Look at our photos. What do you think?

Active Maths, collaboration, P6M, Reading, recycling, Renewable Energy, Technology

Shieldhill Wind Farm

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The children in Primary 6 have made there own wind farm.  They worked in pairs to read and follow the instructions to make a windmill. The task involved close reading, careful measuring and manipulating the parts to fit together. When they had made one they made another. After careful design and decoration they look absolutely fab. Do you agree?