Thursday, July 02, 2009

RR Students To Design, Build Wind Turbines

By Elaine D. BriseñO
Journal Staff Writer
      Rio Rancho High's engineering students are getting into the energy business.
       Next school year, engineering teacher Bill Ryan will head a student project to design and build small wind turbines that generate electricity. Ryan said the size of the turbines makes them ideal for homes or small businesses, and will supplement the energy customers get from the electric company.
       Ryan said most models for small turbines can accommodate wind that is coming from one direction. He said the idea is to design a model that catches wind from different angles and directions.
       “There are a lot of small turbines for wind going in a straight line,” Ryan said. “But there are really no small turbines for turbulent airflow.”
       Ryan's project idea helped the district win the Hewlett-Packard Innovations in Education Grant valued at $260,000. The district will receive technology hardware, professional services and cash.
       Ryan said students will design the turbines and build models of them at one-quarter scale.
       He said the idea is to come up with a design that would be affordable and convenient for homeowners. Ideally, they could be installed by an electrician instead of a full work crew.
       The project will involve the school's language students, as well. Spanish and French classes will develop a Web site that will allow them to communicate with students in other countries about the project.
       “Europe has the most current technology in this field,” Ryan said. “We would like to get their ideas.”
       According to a district news release, Rio Rancho Public Schools was one of 25 districts across the United States to receive the competitive grant. Its purpose is to promote student achievement in math and science, and to get them interested in college degrees and jobs in high-tech fields.
       The district will receive tablet PCs, printers, laptops with carts so the computers can be moved from class to class and graphing calculators. The district also will use the grant to upgrade the technology infrastructure at the high school.
       

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