2011 4-H National Youth Science Day

2011 Experiment: Wired for Wind

The 2011 National Science Experiment, wired for Wind, will explore how to engineer renewable energy technologies and the positive impact that they can have in communities across the country and the world.

Visit the National 4-H Youth Science Day page for more information.

Experiment Overview

4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council are pleased to reveal that the 2011 National Science Experiment is Wired for Wind, an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies in the form of wind-power. Developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension program, this three-tiered experiment will help 4-H young people to enhance their science, engineering, technology and applied math skills by allowing them to:

Designing, building and testing two different wind turbine models
Experimenting with variables by examining three different blade pitch angles to determine the effect of pitch on rotor speed
Relating their scientific experiences back to their own lives by determining how their communities can harness the power of wind and create a more sustainable and clean energy system
Youth will determine the best location for a wind farm in their state or local area by calculating wind power and studying wind data and maps

By connecting these important scientific lessons to civic engagement, 4-H youth become a living, breathing, culture-changing movement for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing the country forward to successfully face the challenges of the future. Participation in 4-H National Youth Science Day is meant to help spark an early passion for science, engineering and math and to encourage young people to consider these paths of study and future careers.

Wired for Wind — The Experiment
In the 2011 National Science Experiment, Wired for Wind, participants will use the engineering design
process to design and test their own renewable energy wind turbines in three parts:

Part One: Design & Build a Wind Turbine
Youth will design and build two types of wind turbines, then test them to determine which design is more effective in harnessing wind.

Part Two: Put a Pitch On It
Youth will experiment with different blade pitch angles to determine how each one affects the wind turbine’s rotor speed and performance.

Part Three: Where to Wire for Wind
Youth will identify the best location for a wind farm in their state using the same data, maps and social and environmental considerations that real scientists use today.

4-H NYSD Events Around the State

Alameda
4-H National Science Experiment
October 19th at 6pm
Jessica Choi
delarroyo4h@gmail.com

Contra Costa
4-H National Science Experiment
Tuesday, October 4th
5:30-7:00 pm
Danville Grange Hall, 743 Diablo Road, Danville, CA 94526
Carol Eldridge
cmwils_eldridge@yahoo.com

Del Norte
4-H National Science Experiment
Arts & Crafts Building, Fairgrounds, 421 Hwy 101, Crescent City, CA 95531
October 5th at 6pm
Jacki Bennett
cedelnorte@ucdavis.edu

Humboldt
4-H National Science Experiment
Sandy Sathrum
sksathrum@ucdavis.edu

Inyo-Mono
5th and 6th grade Inyo County Outdoor Science School
Big Pine, CA
October 11th and 13th at 3.30pm each day
Serena Dennis
sldennis@ucdavis.edu

Merced
Lights-On Afterschool
October 20th from 6pm-8pm
Richard Mahacek
rlmahacek@ucdavis.edu

Modoc
4-H National Science Experiment
Oct. 3rd; Nov. 7th; Dec. 5th at 6pm each day
Oct. 13; Nov. 10th & 17th at 3.30pm & 6pm each day
Laurie Nelson
llnelson@ucdavis.edu

Riverside
Home School at the Park, San Jacinto Library, So Cal Fair and Fun Fair Day in Blythe
October 4th at 12.30pm
October 5th at 6pm
October 13th from 9am-11am
October 22nd at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm
Jeanne Lothridge
cjlothridge@ucdavis.edu

Sacramento
4-H National Science Experiment
Samantha Thompson
smthompson@ucdavis.edu

Santa Clara
4-H Mega Field Day
October 1st from 10am-4pm
Prusch Park Farm Harvest Festival: 647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116
Fe Moncloa
fxmoncloa@ucdavis.edu

Siskiyou
4-H National Science Experiment
September 28, 2011
Big Springs Elementary

October 7, 2011
Grenada Elementary School

October 7, 2011
Jackson Street Middle School

Jacki Zediker
jkzediker@ucdavis.edu

Sonoma
4-H National Science Experiment
October 15th from 11am-5pm
Walnut Park: D St and Petaluma Blvd S., Petaluma, CA, 94952
David Bell
dbell@sfsu.edu

Tuolumne
Livestock Field Day
October 1st 8am-1pm
Jennifer Alderson
jdalderson@ucdavis.edu

Ventura
Wired for Wind with Loma Vista 4-H
October 11th at 7pm
Melissa Kirkegaard
melissakirkegaard@me.com

Yolo
Fall Festival
October 29th from 8am-1pm
Davis Farmers' Market: C Street, Davis, CA 95616
Claire Phillips
goldenvalley4h@gmail.com

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