Learning Goals:

1. Describe hydropower as a source of renewable energy.
2. Discuss the history and uses for a waterwheel.
3. Explain how engineers design and redesign hydropower technologies.
4. Use counting to measure the rate of revolution of a waterwheel

Handouts

• Waterwheel Worksheet

Classroom Supplies

• Water source
• Pouring container to hold ~ 2 liters water
• Sink or outside area that can get wet

Group Supplies

• 1 empty, clean two-liter plastic soda bottle (ask students to bring from home or collect from recycling center)
• 1 Pair of scissors
• Tape
• 6-8 Large index cards (4 x 6-inch size works)
• Waterproofing materials to wrap over the index cards (aluminum foil, plastic wrap, etc.) so that the index cards do not disintegrate in the water
• Pen or marker
• Wooden dowel, ~¾-inch (2 cm) diameter (to fit into the bottle opening with a little room to turn) and longer than the length of the soda bottle; dowel can be re-used (Alternative: If large-enough dowels are not available, use smaller dowels and drill holes into the bottle cap big enough to accept the dowel and allow it to spin.)
• Timer, clock or watch (to count seconds elapsed)
• String

Important Links

• Lesson Plan
• Lesson origin on Teach Engineering