Alternative Energy-Lego Generators

1: Stuff you need before the lesson:

• 1 motor per student
• 1 LED bulb per student
• 3-5 gears per student
• 2-4 axles per student
• 1x2ft bin(s) of legos for 6-10 kids

2:Opening Concepts:

• Explain that we are making generators using lego motors
• Discuss different types of generators and their use: ask students to name some electrical generators (windmills, turbine, gas generators)
• Introduce the concept of human powered generation (hand cranks, bicycles, treadmill, etc)
• Introduce the concept of "passive" human generation (merry go round generator similar to play pump (playpumps.org): Why is passive better?

3:Focus of the lesson:

• Create a generator that powers an LED with legos
• make an emphasis on passive generators ("merry go" generator, exercise equipment-treadmill, bike, swing set)

4:Teaching:

• Have kids create a type design that can power the LED when gears are moved
• When finished with the first design, ask students what else they can make that can power a LED
• Give more examples of what can be made to power the LED (swing, windmill, propellers on a plane) 

5:Wrap Up:

• Dismantle legos and place back in bins
• Separate gears and axles and put in proper containers

Circle up/review:

• ask the kids what a generator is
• ask the kids to name some types of generators and explain how they are used

Feedback:

• ask kids if they enjoyed the activity
• if not, ask kids what would have made the activity more fun

If we finish early we will ask them to help another student or encourage them to fix flaws in their design or build something new

Activity Sheet: Click for full size

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