Wind Energy Project Ideas for 4-H and FFA

Wind is a crop on some farms

Across wide parts of rural America, wind turbines share fields with corn and cattle. A wind energy project helps members understand how moving air becomes electricity, how to measure a site's wind and what it takes to build and maintain a project. Small, safe models teach most of the science.

What members do

Members learn the parts of a turbine, how blades capture energy, why height and location matter, and how to measure wind speed with an anemometer. They build small model turbines, test blade designs, graph results and explore how wind power connects to the electric grid. Some research local wind farms and landowner leasing.

Project ideas by level

Younger members

Make a paper pinwheel and test how blade shape and count change spinning speed.
Keep a wind journal for a month, recording direction and strength.

Intermediate

Build a small model turbine from a kit and measure its output with a low-voltage meter.
Test three blade designs in front of a consistent fan and record the results.

Advanced

Study the wind resource at a family property using a simple anemometer over several months and write a feasibility summary.
Interview a local wind farm technician or landowner and report on how turbines are sited, maintained and paid for.

Skills and science

Measurement, graphing, basic electricity, design testing and research are the core skills. Members learn the difference between power and energy, and why a turbine's output depends so strongly on wind speed. The U.S. Department of Energy provides educational material on wind power, and the National Weather Service publishes wind and weather data.

Safety

Keep experiments at low voltage using kits and equipment designed for students. Never climb towers or work near turbines without trained professionals, and do not install anything on a roof or pole without an adult who knows the rules. Keep away from spinning blades, secure any outdoor equipment against wind, and stay away from power lines. Local rules for towers and electrical connections vary, so ask your county before building anything permanent.

Cost and time

Pinwheel and kit projects are inexpensive. Anemometers are modest. Full-size small wind systems are expensive and heavily regulated, so treat them as research topics, not builds. Plan a few hours per week during testing and longer for research.

Records and exhibits

Record your data tables, graphs, design sketches and photos. Display boards and working models are the common exhibits, with classes and rules varying by county and state. Check your program guide and see 4-H.

Where it leads

Wind projects lead to careers as turbine technicians, engineers and energy analysts, and connect to farm business questions about land leases. See wind power, solar power and home energy. More FFA and 4-H project ideas are in farm.fm's 4-H and FFA section, and agriculture.directory lists local resources.