Explore the power of the wind and sun with a solar energy experiment and DIY wind turbine

Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)

The future is not just about cool gadgets that make life easier. We must also make sure we still have a planet we can live on.

One way is to have smart gadgets in our homes. This can help us save energy. They can help us control our lights, temperature, and electric appliances. Homes can also have solar panels and mini wind turbines. These can make electricity, and we wouldn’t need to rely on fossil fuels. They are bad for the environment.

Transport should also be more sustainable. We will no longer use cars that are bad for the planet. Instead, we can have electric vehicles that run on clean energy. We might even have electric flying taxis that can reduce traffic and air pollution.

Use the activities below to explore the power of the sun and wind. Let’s all work together to build a sustainable future!

Solar energy balloon blow-up

Conduct your own experiment to learn more about solar energy! Photo: Captured from YouTube

Materials

• 2 empty plastic bottles

• black acrylic paint

• paintbrush

• two balloons

Instructions

1. Paint one of the plastic bottles black.

2. Place a balloon over the opening of each bottle. Make sure the balloon covers the entire opening so no air can get in or out.

3. Place both bottles in direct sunlight for 10 minutes.

4. See how the balloon on the black bottle expands, and the balloon on the white bottle remains the same. As the black bottle absorbs the sun’s energy, the air inside the bottle warms up and rises to fill the balloon with air.

DIY mini wind turbine

Be very careful when making your wind turbines; the edges can be sharp! Photo: Shutterstock

Materials

• 1 used plastic bottle

• marker

• popsicle stick

• scissors

• tape

• small eraser

• thumbtack

Instructions

1. Cut off the bottom half of a plastic bottle.

2. On the top half of the bottle, use a marker to draw four blades that extend from the top, with their tips pointing down. Cut out the blades with scissors. Bend them so they open up around the bottle cap like a flower.

3. With the help of an adult, carefully attach the back of the bottle cap to your eraser using a thumbtack. Place the eraser on a flat surface and the back of the cap above it. Then, gently push the thumbtack through the cap until it is attached to the eraser. But leave a bit of room so the bottle cap can spin.

4. Tape the eraser to the top of your popsicle stick.

5. Bring it outside and see your turbine whirl.