In March, the Fire Wires initiated a STEM class at Northpoint Elementary School, designed to educate students on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, based on the book “The Kid Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba. The book tells the remarkable story of Kamkwamba, a young boy from Malawi, who, after being forced to drop out of school due to a severe famine, used his ingenuity and resourcefulness to build a windmill, generating electricity and transforming his village’s fortunes. The program aims to inspire students with Kamkwamba’s story, and to teach them how STEM knowledge can be utilized to solve real-world problems. As the final project of the course, the students are building a full-sized windmill, following in Kamkwamba’s footsteps.
For the first project of the class, the Fire Wires tasked the students with creating sail cars, which they would then race in a double elimination tournament. The students utilized 3D printed wheels and simple craft supplies to construct their vehicles. In the time trials, each car was timed to determine their speed, and the 1v1 races pitted the cars against each other to determine the winner. The students showed off their ingenuity and creativity, using a range of materials and design techniques to construct their sail cars.
Katalyn emerged victorious, taking first place in the tournament, while Ted and Sawyer took second and third place, respectively. The competition was a fun and engaging way to encourage the students to think critically and creatively, utilizing their STEM knowledge to build a functional and fast sail car. The Fire Wires hope that the experience will inspire the students to continue pursuing their interests in STEM and to consider future careers in these fields.
Once the windmill is completed, it will serve as a valuable educational tool for future classes at Northpoint Elementary School. Students will be able to learn about the principles of wind energy and the mechanics of a wind turbine. They will also discover how the windmill converts wind energy into electrical energy, which will be stored in a battery and used to power LED lights. The windmill has the potential to generate up to 400 watts of electricity, providing a real-world example of renewable energy production.
The winners of the sail car competition will also have the opportunity to paint the windmill, choosing a theme that reflects their interests and creativity. The Fire Wires hope that this project will encourage students to think about the ways in which STEM knowledge can be applied in their daily lives, and how it can help to address the world’s biggest challenges, such as climate change.
Through this program, the Fire Wires are empowering the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. They hope that the students who participate in this program will be inspired to pursue careers in STEM fields, where they can continue to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.
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