Year 9 Alternative Energy

What do I have to do?
Research into ‘alternative energy’. You will gain a basic knowledge of the different types of alternative energy. You will then research the ‘off shore’ wind farm off Lynmouth on the north Devon coast. You will produce a wind mill to promote the Atlantic Array Scheme. Surface graphics and windmill will be produced.
How long will it take?
The project will run for 12 weeks.
What will I learn?
An understanding of alternative energy sources.
A basic knowledge of the ‘wind farm’ and its social and environmental issues and its working.
How to develop design skills in response to a specific client and situation.
How will my work be assessed?
Level 3- You must show a basic knowledge of different types of alternative energy sources with an attempt to present their findings and design work for a POS with limited success.
Level 4- You must show a good understanding of alternative energy types. You must have designed and made a ‘windmill’ with surface graphics that display appropriate design and some design ability.
Level 5 - You must display good presentation standards and a consistent level of effort and understanding of the topics covered. Research, appropriateness of design, make and presentation.
Level 6 - You must show excellent research, understanding and appropriate design capability and a as a direct response to the research. Presentation will be excellent throughout.
How might my parents assist me in the completion of the task?
Planning… students will benefit from assistance with their time management and planning a organised approach to the task.
Research… an enthusiastic interest in what the student is looking at and checking their understanding of the technology and principles involved will aid in the clarity and cementing of the ideas in the students mind.
Week 1… Part One… Begin project… Students to gain an understanding of ‘alternative energy’. What it is, what types there are, and why we need it?… Internet research. Book research.
Week 2… Start to break down the sources into their groups… 1- Geo-Thermal… What is it? How does it work? What does it look like?
Week 3… Hydro Electric… What is it? How does it work? What does it look like?
Week 4… Wind Farms… What are they? How does it work? What does it look like?
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE THIS IN A PROJECT FORM. PRESENTATION OF THEIR CHOICE. THEIR OWN WORDS, FOUND IMAGES, ADVANCED STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO EXPLORE THE WHOLE PICTURE… ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THESE METHODS OF GENERATING POWER. WORK WILL BE CHECKED AT THE 4 WEEK PERIOD.
Week 5… Part Two… Mini project. The ‘Atlantic Array Scheme’. Initial research into the project to understand what it is, where it is and its aims.
Week 6... Begin to produce written and visual information to inform the reader all about the ‘scheme’. Introduction as the what the scheme is. Initial background information.
Week 7… More in depth research and presentation about the wind-farm. How it works. How power is produced. How many homes can it feed… etc.
Week 8… Arguments and conclusions. Are there any people that think the wind-farm should not be there? Is there another side to the issue? What do you think? Students should show a balanced view and give a concluding comment about what they have learnt.
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE THIS IN A PROJECT FORM. PRESENTATION OF THEIR CHOICE. THEIR OWN WORDS, FOUND IMAGES. THIS WILL BE SHARED AS A CLASS IN WEEK 8.
Week 9…. Part Three… A Point of Sale to promote ‘Farm Energy 2’. Students will be asked to begin designing a new corporate identity (logo) for the ‘Farm Energy 2’ project.
Week 10… The new ‘logo’ must now be finalised and students are to understand it will be put onto a specific ‘point of sale’ to promote the new wind farm. This will be a small hand held windmill; the pattern of which is supplied. Designs must be produced to be implemented on the windmill. The surface graphics MUST include the new corporate identity logo.
Week 11… Trialling the making. Students should test their surface graphics and make a maquette of the final windmill checking the graphics work and can be seen once the windmill is made. All failed and rough attempts should be handed in and used in the project.
Week 12… Alterations and the making! Students are the make their windmill.
ALL WORK WILL BE HANDED IN IN WEEK 12. THE 3 PARTS ARE TO BE PRESENTED AS 1 WITH ALL WORK, INCLUDING THE DESIGN WORK AND TESTING OF PART 3 TO BE PRESENTED WELL AND CREATIVELY.

IT WILL BE ENCOURAGED FOR THE STUDENTS TO VIEW EACH OTHERS WORK AND COMMENT POSITIVELY ON WHAT THEY SEE AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS.