STEAM Ahead - Fusion, Solar and Wind Energy STEAM Kits

STEAM KIT INTRODUCTION: 

This STEAM kit is designed to introduce students to three forms of clean energy: Fusion Energy, Solar Energy, and Wind Energy. Your STEAM kit has the materials for you to complete two activities: Build Electromagnets and Build a Solar or Wind Device.

Select your activity below for instructions and additional information:

Build a Electromagnet

Fusion Energy:

Fusion energy is a form of renewable energy that uses heat from nuclear fusion reactions to generate power and electricity. In the fusion process, two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, which releases a vast amount of energy. The energy that is released is harnessed in devices called fusion reactors.

In fusion research, electromagnets are essential for plasma confinement and heating. Plasma confinement uses powerful electromagnets to create magnetic fields that trap the extremely hot plasma within a reactor, preventing it from touching the reactor walls. This process helps maintain the high temperatures and pressures necessary for successful nuclear fusion, a promising source of clean energy that mimics the processes occurring in the Sun.

Electromagnets are a type of magnet which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current. It consists of a wire wound into a coil that has electricity passing through it. A coil that is wrapped into the shape of a cylinder is called a solenoid. When current is introduced, either from a battery or another source of electricity, a magnetic field is created around the coiled wire which causes it to magnetize.

Electromagnets are different from “permanent” magnets (which have two poles: north and south) because the magnetic field only exists when electric current flows through it. If you stop the electric current, then the coils do not act like a magnet anymore.

Electromagnets often have a piece of iron or ferromagnetic material in the middle of the coiled wire to increase its strength. Ferromagnetic materials contain tiny areas called magnetic domains which are regions in which the magnetization is in a uniform direction. These magnetic domains, which act like small magnets, line up with the magnetic fields made by the solenoid thus increasing the overall strength of the electromagnet.

Electromagnets in clean energy

In addition to Nuclear Fusion, electromagnets play a critical role in various clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy systems:

• Electric Cars: Electric vehicles rely on electromagnets within their motors to convert electrical energy from batteries into mechanical energy. The electromagnets create magnetic fields that interact with the motor's rotor, causing it to spin and drive the car forward. These motors are highly efficient and play a vital role in reducing emissions and transitioning toward sustainable transportation. Additionally, many EVs can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, further decreasing their environmental impact.

• Magnetic Energy Storage: Renewable energy sources like wind and solar can be intermittent, meaning they don’t always generate power when needed. One innovative way to store renewable energy is through magnetic energy storage. In this method, energy is stored in the magnetic field of an electromagnet, which can later be used to generate electricity when demand is high. This form of energy storage helps balance energy supply and demand, making renewable energy more reliable.

Did you know?

1. When you listen to music or watch a movie with sound, electromagnets are at work! Electromagnets are found in everyday gadgets like speakers, where they help convert electrical energy into sound. They’re also used in MRI machines to create strong magnetic fields for medical imaging.

2. Maglev trains, known for their incredible speed and smooth ride, use electromagnetism to levitate and move. Electromagnets in the tracks repel magnets on the train, allowing it to float above the surface, reducing friction and increasing efficiency.

3. Electromagnets can lift heavy objects. They’re used in garbage trucks to lift and dump heavy loads, making waste collection more efficient. The ability to control the magnetic field by adjusting the electric current makes electromagnets versatile for various applications.

4. Electromagnets help generate electricity through electromagnetic induction. The movement of a magnetic field relative to a coil of wire induces voltage, creating electricity. This principle is fundamental to the operation of many power generation systems.

5. Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MeRT) uses electromagnets to treat neurological conditions. This non-invasive and painless therapy gently stimulates specific parts of the brain, offering treatment options for conditions like PTSD and brain injuries.

Materials included in kit:

• AA Battery + Holder

• Iron Nails

• Alligator Clips

• Copper Wire

• Paper Clips

• Lab Notebook

Build Instructions:

Build instructions provided by ScienceBuddies

1. Make two different electromagnets—with 50 and 200 turns of wire, respectively—by tightly winding the magnet wire around the iron nails. See Figure 1.

2. Make a data table, like Figure 2, in your lab notebook.

3. Place the paper clips in a pile on a flat surface.

4. Starting with the 50-turn coil, use the electromagnets to pick up paper clips from the shallow container.

   • Important: Your electromagnets will get hot if you leave them connected to the battery in between tests. Always disconnect one alligator clip when your electromagnets are not in use.

   • Connect one end of the red alligator clip to the "+" terminal of the AA battery, and the other end to one end of the wire coil. Make sure you connect to the part where you sanded off the insulation.

   • Connect one end of the black alligator clip to the "-" terminal of the AA battery, and the other end to the free end of the wire coil. As soon as you do this, your electromagnet will turn on and begin to heat up, so it is important to work quickly.

   • Touch the head of the nail to the pile of paper clips (Figure 3), and then pull the coil away from the paper clips (Figure 4). There should be some paper clips attached to the nail.

     • If it does not lift any paper clips at all, then your electromagnet is not working. Check that the electromagnet is correctly connected to the battery. Make sure the alligator clips are connected to both the battery and the wire. If the clip leads are connected correctly to the coil and battery, but the electromagnet is still not working, then the problem may be that the magnet wire is not completely stripped and try re-sanding the ends of the copper wire to remove the insulation.

   • Move the nail away from the pipe of paperclips (Figure 5), and then disconnect one alligator clip (it does not matter which one, and you do not need to disconnect all four alligator clips). This should turn your electromagnet off and the paper clips should fall away from the nail.

   • Count the number of paper clips that the magnet picked up, and record this value in your data table.

   • Return all of the paper clips to the container.

5. Repeat step 4 four more times, for a total of five trials.

6. Repeat steps 4-5 for the 200-turn coil. Always remember to disconnect your electromagnets from the battery when not in use.

7. Analyze your data.

   • Calculate the average number of paper clips picked up for each number of turns in the coil.

   • Does the number of paper clips picked up increase or decrease as you increase the number of turns in the electromagnet?

   • Try experimenting with the 9V battery size. How did your results differ?

Submit Your STEAM Kit Build Feedback:

After you complete your STEAM Kit Build, complete the feedback survey to be entered into a quarterly raffle!

Build Wind & Solar Power Devices

 Wind Power: 

Wind Power is a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of wind to generate electricity. In fact, since 2019 wind power is the United States largest source of renewable energy and supplies more than 10% of the country’s total electricity. In Massachusetts, there are 21 utility-scale wind power facilities and in 2024, the second largest offshore wind farm in the U.S opened off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.

How Wind Power Works:

Wind Turbines use wind to create electricity. Wind turbines are consist of three critical parts:

• Rotor Blades - The sails of the system that act as barriers to the wind. When the blades move due to the wind, some of the energy is transferred to the rotor.

• Shaft - The shaft is connected to the rotor and spins when the rotor spins. Energy from the rotor is transferred to the shaft which enters an electrical generator. 

• Generator - The generator converts wind power to electrical energy by using electromagnetic induction

When wind blows across the turbine blades, the blades capture wind energy and start moving. This causes a shaft that leads from the hub of the rotor to a generator to spin which turns rotational energy into electricity. This translation of aerodynamic forces to rotation of a generator creates electricity. 

To explore how a wind turbine works, check out this demonstration. You can also explore additional resources on WindExchange.  

Solar Power:

Solar Power is a form of renewable energy that converts energy from the sun into power that can be used for electrical power (electricity) or thermal power (heat). It is the most abundant renewable energy source. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the amount of sunlight that hits the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world’s energy consumption for a year. 

How Solar Power Works:

Solar Power is based on solar radiation which is light that is emitted by the sun. This is also known as electromagnetic radiation. There are two main types of technology used to capture solar energy and convert it into power:

• Photovoltaics (PV) - PV technology is used in Solar panels. When the sun shines onto the solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges which cause electricity to flow. 

• Concentrating solar-thermal Power (CSP)  - CSP systems use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat, which can then be used to produce electricity or stored for later use. 

Did you know that Massachusetts is ranked 10th in the nation in the amount of electricity generated from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels? Solar panels use silicon to generate electricity. The electricity is covered from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) so it can be used in your home and on the electric grid. The main difference between DC and AC is the direction in which the electrons flow. In DC, electrons flow in a single direction whereas in AC, electrons switch their flow direction. Homes and buildings use AC while some appliances and consumer electronics use DC. 

To learn more about how solar panels work, watch this short video from MassCEC. You can also visit the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website. 

Materials Included In Kit:

• A Wind or Solar Build Kit

• Screwdriver

• Lab Notebook

• Color Pencils

Build Instructions:

Instructions provided by Cyoest 

Troubleshooting:

Submit Your STEAM Kit Build Feedback:

After you complete your STEAM Kit Build, complete the feedback survey to be entered into a quarterly raffle!