4-H Delivers

Alameda County Gets Wired for Wind

The Issue:

52 4-Hers from all over Alameda County came together on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 to participate in the annual 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). The 2011 NYSD focus was an experiment called Wired for Wind. In the experiment, youth explored harnessing wind to create electricity for a clean, renewable energy source. 

What has 4-H Done?:

The 4-Hers began by working individually and in teams to design blades for their wind turbines. Once the blades were built, the youth were able to assemble their wind turbines using materials provided in the NYSD kit. Next, the youth went to the testing station where the turbines were connected to a voltage meter. Once the voltmeters were connected, the 4-Hers placed their turbines in front of a fan and used the meter to measure just how many volts of electricity they were able to generate with the blades of their turbine. Every youth participant then had the opportunity to make adjustments to the original blade designs and attempt to improve the electricity output of the turbine. At the end of the evening, the group came together to analyze their findings. During the discussion, the group determined which blade designs were the most efficient and discovered that the best design was able to produce 1.41 volts of electricity. Additionally, the youth also spent some time going over maps of their region to determine which locations in their area would be best for placing future wind farms. 

The Payoff:

The NYSD event gave the Alameda County 4-Hers an opportunity to explore the field of alternative energy. Each participant also looked at what types of renewable energy sources are readily available and encouraged to think about new energy sources for the future. By introducing renewable energy sources and technologies to harnesses the power, youth will be more prepared for a future that relies more heavily on these alternative sources.