Nowadays, the need for reliable sources of energy has a lot of people talking about wind power. Wind power is collected using wind turbines—tall pole structures with a machine at the top that looks like a very large fan. Instead of blowing air, however, turbines catch the air. When the wind blows, it makes the blades of the fan, called rotors, spin around, which moves the turbine on the inside and generates electricity. Basically, the wind does work on the turbine when it makes it spin. Work is an application of energy, which makes something move. The energy from the wind's work is taken by the turbine and converted into electricity for use in homes and cities.

What is it about the shape of a rotor on a wind turbine that makes it spin easily in the wind? Is it because of the aerodynamics of the rotor—its shape and curvature? In this science fair project, you will investigate the efficiency of the rotors of a turbine by making a small turbine model and several rotors, varying their shapes and curvatures. You will determine efficiency by measuring energy output using work. The wind turbine model will do work on a small weight by hauling it up from the ground to the top of the turbine. This will represent the energy output of a wind turbine. You will measure the output of each rotor design by how much weight it can haul—the rotor that hauls the most weight is the most efficient design. What are you waiting for? Let's put the wind to work!