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A PVC Windmill Project for Grade School

Windmills are machines that transfer the energy of the wind into rotational energy. They have had many uses throughout history, from milling to pumping water. Wind turbines are used as an alternative source of producing electrical power. Model windmills are commonly made as science projects for school. Higher grades assemble more advanced windmills with small motors. However, windmill projects for grade school age students are less complicated and can be built using PVC pieces.

Base
- Connect two pieces of straight PVC pipe into the sides of a T-connector with the center connector pointing upward. Place two T connectors at the end of those two straight pieces and slip a straight piece of pipe into those T connectors. Slip PVC elbows onto all four ends, with the elbow facing down. This makes a solid base.
Center pipe
- Slide a straight PVC pipe into the center T connector that is facing up. Place an elbow at the top of the center pipe.
Spinner assembly
- Place an end cap on the other end of the elbow. Use a nail to make a hole in the center of the end cap. Do not leave the nail in the end cap at this time.
Propeller assembly
- Place the nail through the center of a model or toy airplane propeller from the front end going inward. Once the nail is all the way through, insert the nail back into the hole in the end cap. This completes the windmill model.

Insects & Science