subject: Wind Energy For Kids [print this page] Explaining wind energy for kids is possibly one of the most important things you can do for them. It is becoming increasingly clear that their generation will be the one that has to deal with these enormous energy issues, very much unlike what we have had to deal with in the present generation - hence our current problems of shortage around the world.If you want to get into the details of wind energy for kids so you can explain to your children what it is all about, then you need to stick to the basics and not overcomplicate things. There is so much awareness of the concept of renewable energy solutions among the younger generation anyway that they may already know a lot more than you think they know!
The main things to discuss and have them understand are:The power that is moving around us every day - It is vitally important for young people to understand the latent energy in our natural environment. Using a wind turbine to illustrate this point and the science behind extracting that power with such a device can be a very visual representation of how renewables work in practice.
How simple a wind turbine kit really is - The sun heats the ground and as the heat dissipates during the day, that causes irregular patterns in the air throughout the atmosphere. Those irregular patterns manifest themselves eventually in wind patterns. This is not the only cause of wind but it is a simple explanation and accounts for the majority of wind phenomena we see.What it means for the planet - It is important to explain to kids that by taking advantage of renewable energy, they are taking on a lot bigger ideological responsibility than they may realize.
By converting their energy habits from public utilities to renewable energy sources, you need to let them know they are taking part in a movement that could eventually eliminate pollution in large cities. This is not a pipe dream and we must realize that one day we will not be burning these fossil fuels because they will no longer be available to burn, so kids have the ability to be game changers one day in this field.
The long-term thinking you need for a project like this - This is very different than much of the other project oriented work children will do throughout their lives. If you work for a large company, then it is very common to only allow projects to get funded that have payback less than only a few years. It is not uncommon for a home wind turbine projects to take 7 or 8 years to pay itself back. However, the strength of the start of project is that once you've invested the money in the device all the savings belongs to you for as long as you maintain the device.
That is what you need to make very clear to them - you are investing in a "future you".
In summary, to deal with wind energy for kids it is important to understand and communicate the simplicity of the system and how your children can be constantly vigilant about making full use of their immediate environment for powering their world, instead of depending on others, like Middle Eastern governments that do not seem to have our best interests at heart.
