British Science Week - Wind Turbine Challenge
Students in KS3 took part throughout the week took part in an engaging British Science Week engineering challenge, where they designed and constructed their own wind turbines.
Working collaboratively in teams, students explored how wind energy, as a renewable resource, can be harnessed to generate electricity. They investigated how variations in blade design, including size, shape and angle, influence performance, and applied this understanding to improve the efficiency of their models.
Following the construction phase, students tested their turbines under controlled conditions and evaluated which designs produced the greatest energy output. They then reflected on their results and refined their designs accordingly, engaging in an iterative process similar to that used by professional engineers.
This hands-on activity supported students in developing a deeper understanding of energy transfers (kinetic to electrical), as well as key principles of engineering design, problem-solving and evaluation, while also promoting teamwork and resilience.
Students were also encouraged to justify their design choices using scientific reasoning, explaining how specific adaptations improved performance. This helped to strengthen their ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly and apply their knowledge in a practical context.
“Today my group built a wind turbine that spins. We showed good teamwork, with everyone taking on a different role. I was responsible for making the turbine, and we wrapped the cardboard in white paper to improve the design. I think it looks superb. We also added a back support to make it more stable.”
Diana, Dunya, Victoria and Safiya, Year 8
