This activity asks students to identify the best locations for wind farms based on the connection between surface roughness and wind speed. Students are directed to use a data tool called Global Wind Atlas to identify optimal locations for wind farms.
The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.
Consider assigning the journal article as an official assignment as a part of a semester wide journal curriculum for other puzzles in the "Data Puzzle" section of the University of Colorado CIRES CEEE website.
Students can create a class-wide journal to include all articles. This activity can also be extended by prompting a discussion on how climate change may impact the efficiency and feasibility of off-shore wind (stronger storm systems, sea level rise, etc.)
Review the entire activity before implementing it, especially the Global Wind Atlas. This activity may require less time than listed; however, do not reduce the amount of class time at the expense of student learning opportunities.
This resource, from the University of Colorado, supports students in analyzing and interpreting patterns in surface roughness and wind speed across the United States to identify suitable locations for the construction of future wind farms.
Students will reflect on their own experiences with windy days as it relates to where they were at the time, and then suggest an explanation for where future wind farms should be built by using data from the Global Wind Atlas to support their conclusion.
Students are then asked to think of questions they have about the movement toward off-shore wind energy and investigate and evaluate this technology as a climate solution.
Students in grades 9-12 could be challenged to go deeper into the connections between wind energy and location.
This resource includes a slide deck, teacher and student guide, and answer key. The teacher guide outlines how each section of the activity will support NGSS principles in addition to the suggested time for each activity.
This resource uses a variety of tools including videos, discussion, online simulation, and worksheets that will engage a diversity of learning styles.
The learning outcomes for this activity are clear, and students work towards achieving the objective of the activity throughout the exploratory nature of each step in this activity.
Educators should be able to adapt this activity in any geographic location, given that the data tool is global.
There are no formal assessments in the activity; however, educators could select pieces of the activity to assess using their own grading scale.
All resource materials are available through Google Docs.
The teacher guide provides clear guidance for implementing this activity, however, additional information and supports about the Global Wind Atlas would be helpful. Teachers should take time to explore the Global Wind Atlas to maximize its usefulness in the activity.
