Hobbies And Interests
Water Wheel History Project
Water power propelled many countries, including the United States, into the industrial revolution, according to Jennifer Esty, member of Connecticut Now and Then Teachers Institute. Challenge your students to discover how water wheels were used by their own community. Alternatively, have your students write a research project on a famous water wheel. The 42-foot Old Mill water wheel in Rome, Georgia, for example, is a famous water wheel that would suit a written history report well. Teaching your children about historical uses for water wheels contextualizes water wheel projects that require constructing their own water wheels.
Water Wheel Lift
A water wheel utilizes the power of water in numerous ways. One prominent purpose of traditional water wheels was to lift heavy objects. Challenge your students to construct a water wheel to lift an unopened soda can 2 feet off the ground. Give the students complete control over the design of their water wheels, allowing them to experiment with different design and material possibilities. As a result each student will come up with her own unique water wheel design. Award the highest grade to the student who creates a water wheel that lifts the soda can with the least amount of water and the fastest.
Water Wheel Irrigation
In the past water wheels were used for irrigation purposes. Challenge your students to transport a particular amount of water from point A to B using only a water wheel and their own trough systems. Give your students complete control over the constructions of the water wheels and troughs so they can experiment with materials and designs. Award the student who transports the water the fastest and with the least amount of waste the highest grade. Guide a group discussion after testing everyone's designs to determine what worked and what didn't.
Water Wheel Generator
A water wheel generator is simple to make and is the perfect project to teach students about circuits, electricity and water. With a steel conducting rod, copper wire and magnets a regular water wheel is transformable into an electric generator. Challenge your students to generate enough electricity with a water wheel to power one LED light. Instruct your students on the basics of creating a basic electric generator and electric circuit. Give them free reign over the water wheel construction. Give the student who lights his light bulb the brightest and quickest the highest grade. Compare water wheel and generator models to discuss what's most effective and how the models could be improved.