Going For A Spin - Making a Model Steam Turbine

Students explore how various energy sources can be used to cause a turbine to rotate and then generate electricity with a magnet.

Go To:

http://energyforkeeps.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pages-1-7-from-ch2_activiti…

Marilyn Nemzer

Deborah Page

Anna Carter

Energy Education Group

Notes From Our Reviewers

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Teaching Tips

Be sure to go over safety precautions beforehand. Thermal gloves should be used whenever possible.

Educators will need to build the model first in order to understand where students might get stuck or injured.

Educators should point out that reversing the action of the apparatus in Part B demonstrates how electric motors work (also a feature of hybrid cars).

Be sure to remind the students to keep their bare skin away from the steam (page 7 of activity).

About the Science

Hands-on activity that demonstrates how turbines work.

Good at demonstrating the relationship between magnetism and electricity.

About the Pedagogy

Good selection of assessments to prompt student thinking and analysis.

Good hands-on activities to gain a tactile understanding of how a generator works.

Student answer sheets are missing, but the activity can be done without them.

Building (kinesthetic) type activities increase participation of students with different learning styles.

Technical Details

Necessary materials are commonly found in a classroom or at home.