With developing sources of clean, renewable energy becoming even more important, this interactive workshop brings global issues to your classroom in a highly accessible way. We’ll discuss the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources before introducing the challenge: to create the most effective water wheel design.

Children will use our custom-made, 3D-printed kits to design, build and test water wheels, developing several Working Scientifically skills including asking questions, collecting data, observing and drawing conclusions.  Depending on the age group of your class, we’ll emphasise different aspects of these skills, making sure that the learning is always age and stage appropriate.

Children will work in groups of four, as this encourages discussion, questioning, teamwork and communication while ensuring that every child has plenty of opportunities to take part.

The workshop focusses on using hydropower.  If your focus is solar energy, you may be interested in booking our Solar K’nex Workshops, suitable for Y2 upwards.  The workshops can also be run together, as part of a Renewable Energy Day.  Please contact us using the online form to the right to discuss this further.

Curriculum links:

• Key Stage 1 Programme of Study: Working scientifically
• Lower Key Stage 2 Programme of Study: Working scientifically
• Upper Key Stage 2 Programme of Study: Working scientifically
• Year 5 Programme of Study: Forces

Documents:

• Risk Assessment for Water Wheels

Contact our schools team with any questions on [email protected]