Build a Hydro Generator

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published by the GreenLearning Canada

This resource for secondary physical science gives step-by-step instructions for building a water-powered electric generator from plastic spoons. The model closely resembles real micro-hydro designs, and can produce enough electricity to light a small light bulb. The 9-page construction plans may be freely downloaded and are organized for first-time builders. Comprehensive background information is provided on water power and renewable energy. All materials can be readily purchased from hardware or grocery stores. Links are also provided to animated tours of hydroelectric plants and giant turbines. This item is part of a collection of K-12 projects on renewable energy sources and clean energy technology.

Registered teacher-users have access to a complete lesson plan with tips for teaching.

Please note that this resource requires Flash.

http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Classical Mechanics - Work and Energy = Conservation of Energy = Mechanical Power = Work Electricity & Magnetism - Electromagnetic Induction = Motors and Generators Other Sciences - Engineering - Environmental Science	- High School - Middle School	- Collection - Instructional Material = Activity = Laboratory = Lesson/Lesson Plan = Project

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Educators - Learners	- text/html - application/flash - application/pdf - image/gif	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Safety Warnings

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2007 The Pembina Institute
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: clean energy, energy, energy sources, generator, green energy, hydroelectric energy, hydroelectric generator, mechanical power, renewable energy, water power
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created November 27, 2007 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: September 27, 2012 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: January 1, 2007
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4E. Energy Transformations

6-8: 4E/M2. Energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways: 1) thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one; 2) mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance; 3) electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or 4) by electromagnetic waves.
6-8: 4E/M4. Energy appears in different forms and can be transformed within a system. Motion energy is associated with the speed of an object. Thermal energy is associated with the temperature of an object. Gravitational energy is associated with the height of an object above a reference point. Elastic energy is associated with the stretching or compressing of an elastic object. Chemical energy is associated with the composition of a substance. Electrical energy is associated with an electric current in a circuit. Light energy is associated with the frequency of electromagnetic waves.

4F. Motion

9-12: 4F/H3a. When electrically charged objects undergo a change in motion, they produce electromagnetic waves around them.

4G. Forces of Nature

6-8: 4G/M3. Electric currents and magnets can exert a force on each other.
9-12: 4G/H5c. The interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for many modern technologies, including electric motors, generators, and devices that produce or receive electromagnetic waves.

8. The Designed World

8C. Energy Sources and Use

6-8: 8C/M2. Different ways of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy have different environmental consequences.
6-8: 8C/M8. People have invented ingenious ways of deliberately bringing about energy transformations that are useful to them.
9-12: 8C/H6. The useful energy output of a device—that is, what energy is available for further change—is always less than the energy input, with the difference usually appearing as thermal energy. One goal in the design of such devices is to make them as efficient as possible—that is, to maximize the useful output for a given input.

12. Habits of Mind

12C. Manipulation and Observation

9-12: 12C/H1. Follow instructions in manuals or seek help from an experienced user to learn how to operate new mechanical or electrical devices.

Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12

Key Ideas and Details (6-12)

RST.6-8.3 Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

Craft and Structure (6-12)

RST.11-12.5 Analyze how the text structures information or ideas into categories or hierarchies, demonstrating understanding of the information or ideas.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (6-12)

RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
RST.11-12.9 Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (6-12)

RST.9-10.10 By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9—10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=6184">GreenLearning Canada. Build a Hydro Generator. GreenLearning Canada, January 1, 2007.</a>

AIP Format

(GreenLearning Canada, 2007), WWW Document, (http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator).

AJP/PRST-PER

Build a Hydro Generator (GreenLearning Canada, 2007), <http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator>.

APA Format

Build a Hydro Generator. (2007, January 1). Retrieved March 15, 2025, from GreenLearning Canada: http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator

Chicago Format

GreenLearning Canada. Build a Hydro Generator. GreenLearning Canada, January 1, 2007. http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator (accessed 15 March 2025).

MLA Format

Build a Hydro Generator. GreenLearning Canada, 2007. 1 Jan. 2007. 15 Mar. 2025 <http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {Build a Hydro Generator}, Publisher = {GreenLearning Canada}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {15 March 2025}, Month = {January 1, 2007}, Year = {2007} }

Refer Export Format

%T Build a Hydro Generator %D January 1, 2007 %I GreenLearning Canada %U http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D January 1, 2007 %T Build a Hydro Generator %I GreenLearning Canada %V 2025 %N 15 March 2025 %8 January 1, 2007 %9 text/html %U http://www.re-energy.ca/hydro-generator

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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

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