Wind Power: 20 Projects to Make with Paper - Hardcover

Dobson, Clive

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554076595 ISBN 13: 9781554076598

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2010

Synopsis

A beginner's guide to wind power and an invitation to experiment with wind and its potential as an energy source.

Wind-powered generators are now used worldwide as a reliable source of "green" energy. How does wind create power? What is wind? What scientific characteristics make pinwheels, windmills and wind turbines spin? What makes them turn faster and more efficiently? Will we ever see a day when every home is powered by its own wind generator? This new book answers these critical questions and many more in clear, non-technical language.

Wind Power provides 20 unique projects for youth that use, adapt and illustrate the power of the wind. Artist Clive Dobson provides a basic scientific understanding of wind power and the ways in which it can be harnessed for vital tasks that require energy.

The book encourages young readers to experiment with wind so they can experience the properties of moving air on various windmill shapes and discover through trial and error what makes them effective for toys, artwork, kinetic power and even for generating electricity.

This ideal beginner's guide to the power of the wind offers:

• Real-life examples of wind power from history and current everyday uses
  
• 20 projects for all ages and skill levels, from a simple two-blade pinwheel to a sophisticated six-sail windmill to a modern turbine with airfoil blades
  
• Clear illustrations and photographs that complement the step-by-step construction instructions
  
• Hands-on experience that provides a clear understanding of scientific principles
  
• Inspiration for beginners to experiment with wind
  
• Reflections on the modern use of wind power in building a sustainable future

The creative challenges in this compact book of projects will inspire future generations to become more self-sufficient.

About this title

About the Author

Clive Dobson is a sculptor, artist and builder whose range of work reflects his concern for the rapidly changing environment. He is co-author of Watersheds.

Reviews

Grade 6–10—Dense verbal descriptions of how wind power works from when it was first used to propel boats down the Nile to modern-day wind farms might challenge all but the most dedicated readers, but those who stick with them will get a general idea of the theory behind windmills, their detriments and benefits. Vivid color photographs and illustrations appear on each spread to depict the history of windmills and illuminate the concepts described. These include Bernoulli's Principle, Betz's Law, and explanations of turbulence and vibration in relation to size. A full spread is dedicated to the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. Descriptions and projects resemble pinwheels, but demonstrate horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. Dobson explains that it is testing that will teach readers the most, so he diminishes the project steps to encourage more trials. Model materials include those as simple as watercolor paper, pushpins, and beads and that require tools such as scissors, rulers, X-Acto knives, and compasses. Others involve steel rods, wood, wire, bearings, and cap nuts and tools such as drill presses, handsaws, and French curves. Documented with clean photography and geometric illustration, these projects have great potential to inspire experimentation, especially for students skilled in geometry and graphic arts. All but one of the additional print resources are adult materials; the websites, including Wikipedia, are uneven. While not specifically science-project oriented, this volume could serve as support material for wind energy projects.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1554076595
• ISBN 13: 9781554076598
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 96