Experiences

Tower of renewable energy

Tomás Maicas

Spain

High Secondary School

Technology

Teaching in class

Direct

The main difficulty in learning is motivation

The methodology applied in the technology department of my school's project-based learning (PBM). We find the best method to increase motivation and empower students. In the case of bright and highly motivated students, this method makes them go further and extend their knowledge and skills even incorporating extracurricular elements.
Project-based learning emphasizes learning activities are long-term That, interdisciplinary and student-centered. Unlike traditional, teacher-led classroom activities, students must organize Often Their Own Their Own work and manage time in a project-based class. Project-based instruction Differs from traditional inquiry by its emphasis on students' collaborative single artifact or construction to Represent what is being learned.
The core concept of project-based learning is That Real-world problems capture students' interest and provoke serious thinking as the students acquire and apply new knowledge in a problem-solving context. The teacher plays the role of facilitator, working with students to frame worthwhile questions, structuring meaningful tasks, knowledge development and coaching Both social skills, and Carefully Assessing what students have learned from the experience. Typical projects present a problem to solve or a phenomenon to Investigate.
A personal experience was the realization of a tower of renewable energy by students aged 16. The students were highly motivated and was a very bright group. The project will be developed in phases over the entire course
The tower consisted of two solar panels (photovoltaic and thermal) and two wind generators (one horizontal axis and a vertical axis). The students had to conduct research (in which even they interviewed experts), and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each of the solutions. This led them to investigate issues such as arodinámica of the blades of the windmills.
Another aspect that I think is important when choosing a project is to get the maximum results possible approach to reality and that the result works. For example: with the energy generated by the tower, students could load their phones or run small appliances.