Module 4: Illuminate

We’ve reached the final stage of the engineering design process – improve.

In the last module, you performed a series of vigorous tests to collect data and determine whether your turbine was fit to power a town. The improve stage is about using all of your knowledge and data to supercharge your turbine’s performance before the final challenge.

Jump into your activity booklets to get started.

Now that your turbine prototype is the best it can be, it’s time to discover the third and final step in electricity’s journey, use!

Electricity travels near and far to be used in our communities. And even though Aotearoa is leading the charge with the use of renewable energy, using too much electricity can still be harmful to the environment.

That’s why it’s important for everyone to do their bit to become energy smart.

Being energy smart means thinking about how you use electricity and finding ways to use it more efficiently, so you’re not using more than you need. Here are some top tips on how to get started:

Can you think of any more ways to save energy?

Your town is relying on your STEM superpowers to turn the lights on! Are you ready to face the ultimate challenge?

You’ll notice that your town has a series of buildings and objects, each attached to a light source.

Each of these things has an important part to play to maintain a thriving community – and they all need power! Your task is to generate and move electricity for your entire town to use. Can your team turn all of the lights on?

Whatever the weather

Did you know, renewable energy from wind turbines only accounts for about 5% of Aotearoa’s energy sources? So, what happens when the winds settle down?

We rely on a bunch of other energy sources to power our communities, so we can keep the lights on, whatever the weather.

In order to turn all of the lights on in your town, you’ll need to add a second renewable generator into your power network – a solar panel.

Light up our town

Are you ready to compete against your classmates to see who can turn on all of the lights?

You’ll start by seeing which turbine is the most powerful on its own. Then, hook up your solar panel and get ready to turn on the lights the STEM way.

Great work power champs! You’re now nearing the end of your epic Power Challenge journey. Show off your electrifying knowledge by creating a set of sweet wonder cards as a tīma (team).

Bright sparks quiz

Let’s make use of your illuminating wonder cards by using them in the bright sparks quiz! Hand your cards over to your kaiako (teacher) and get ready to impress with your power knowledge.

Your quizmaster will read out the best ‘I wonder’ (pātai) questions. When you know the answer, buzz in!

You’ll need to be lightening quick to be the quiz champions.

Mīharo!

By uncovering new ways to harness the power of renewable energy, you’ve helped to ensure we have a sustainable electricity supply for our communities now and in the future. That means we’ve answered the challenge pātai (question):

I wonder how to power a brighter future?

Because of STEM superheroes like you, the future is bright.

Power up your STEM skills one last time and try to light up your power kit.

On the outside of your kit, there are four lights to turn on. Can you use your knowledge on circuits to light them all?

Karawhiua!

Bring your Power Challenge story to life by creating an epic video or poster for the final Power Challenge competition. Make sure you follow these guidelines to be in to win a super sweet prize for your school:

• Be clear rather than clever to help your audience understand your story
• Video guidelines:
  • Plan the beginning, middle and end of your video
  • Think about sound, visuals and script
  • Make sure it’s no more than 3 minutes long.
• Poster guidelines:
  • Plan the poster layout so it’s organised and easy to follow
  • Think about how to use graphics and visuals to enhance presentation.

Send in your entry by 20 October

Get your kaiako (teacher) or ambassador to send a copy of your video or poster to the Wonder Project Community Facebook Group, or to wonder@engineeringnz.org

Now’s the time to tell us what you thought of the Power Challenge! When you complete our survey, it helps us to make the challenge even better for next time.

You can tell us all the good bits, the bad bits and what you think could be better for next time. If everyone completes the survey, your kura (school) will go in the draw to win a prize!

Post-challenge survey

Tino pai rawa atu! You’ve:

• Made final improvements to your turbine
• Competed against each other to light up your town
• Completed student surveys
• Answered the challenge pātai (question) – I wonder how to power a brighter future?