Each group needs:

• a 2-4 inch (5-10 cm) long block of cylindrical wood, at least 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) in diameter, for the horizontal-axis turbine
• a 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) long block of cylindrical wood, at least 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) in diameter, for the vertical-axis turbine
• Wind Turbine Worksheet

For the entire class to share:

• 1-2 multimeters or voltmeters
• 2 double-ended alligator clip wire test leads
• 1-2 DC motors (available at RadioShack [suggested part numbers: 273-223, 273-047, or 273-106] or hobby stores; make sure the shaft does not have a gear on it.)
• drill
• drill bit equal to the diameter shaft of the hobby motor
• 2 blocks of 2 x 4 wood, each about 5 inches (12.7 cm) long
• two 2.5-inch (6.35 cm) nails or screws
• hammer or screwdriver
• one 3-5-inch (7.6-12.7 cm) piece of PVC pipe with an interior diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the blocks of cylindrical wood used for turbine construction
• various materials from which to construct turbine blades, such as foam core board, index cards, plastic bottles, cardboard, particle board, thick poster board, foam board, thin dowel rods, bamboo skewers, etc.
• scissors
• glue
• strong tape, such as duct tape or packing tape
• a house or box fan with three-speed settings