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Wind,
Water & Sun
A Primary Experience
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Field
Trip
Thistledown Farms
91455 River Road
Eugene,OR 97404
(541)-689-2019 |
Thistledown Farms sells a wide variety
of plants, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, it has wonderful examples
of Wind (an old working windmill that pumps water), Water (a working waterwheel
that doesn't actually do any visible work other than go around because of
the force of the water), and Sun (solar) energy (a variety of greenhouses
that are kept at various temperatures through the use of open doors, solar
gain, and heaters) at work all in one place.
The owners were very accommodating
in allowing me to bring several classes out to conduct scientific experiments.
While it did not require any actual work from their staff for us to be there,
they were very interested in what we were doing and as we finished, the owner
brought out one more form of energy for us to observe -- two big mules. The
kids were delighted.
Activities for this trip:
1.
We did a general tour with the entire group when we first arrived
to reacquaint students with the concepts and vocabulary of wind,
water, and solar energy. Parents and siblings were invited to participate.
Each activity takes about 20 minutes. Parent volunteers were trained
as instructors for the other groups. |
The
objective of the field trip was to reinforce with visual and hands-on
activities, concepts and vocabulary that were taught in the classroom.
This trip also gave the teacher an opportunity to check student understanding
of the wind, water and solar energy. |
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2A. Waterwheel observations.
Students need a pencil and small (1/4 sheet size) pieces of tag. Have
them observe the waterwheel action and generate a list of jobs
they think a waterwheel could do. Have them draw
a picture. This activity tended to finish before the other
two so they also spent time looking at all of the animals at
Thistledown. |
2B.
Windmill observations and experiments.
(a) Have them observe the windmill and discuss what is moving the fins.
Show them how the pipe connected to the windmill works the pump.
(b) If the windmill is actually hooked up and pumping water, use a
plastic bucket and have students guess how long it will take to fill
the bucket. Try it.
(c) With a model of the windmill in
the Energy Kit, have each student try and blow hard enough to wind
the string up and raise the weight. Be
careful of lightheadedness. |
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2C.
Solar observations and experiments.
Stand outside the greenhouses and have students guess whether or not
it is warmer outside or inside. Go inside the greenhouse with thermometers
and see if it is warmer or colder. Check the thermometers you brought
with you -- what is happening to them? Discuss why this is happening.
How does a greenhouse get warm?
(Note, you get better
answers if the heaters are off and students can't use them as answers.) |
During
this part of the field trip, one of the greenhouse workers showed
us a robin's nest with three eggs in one of the hanging planters.
It seems the mother robin was using a little solar gain to help hatch
her eggs. |
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