• Overview
  • Big Idea
  • Building Project Prototype
  • Coding Project
  • Reflection

Welcome to the Power Storage for Wind Energy Unit Lesson 1. This section gives a high-level overview of the lesson for students.

This lesson is designed to fit into the Grade 5 curriculum and be completed in 40 to 60 minutes.
We recommend either each student have their kit, or students work in pairs with one climate action kit.

Lesson Objectives

Learn about renewable and non-renewable energy and how it affects the global climate.
Discover how wind energy can be captured and stored for later use.
Design, build and code a Wind turbine prototype using the Climate Action kit and a micro:bit.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals


The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Comprising 17 interconnected goals, they serve as a blueprint for creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

This lesson connects to the following goals:
1. 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
2. 15 Life on Land
3. 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

To learn more about the Un Goals click here

In this introductory lesson, students will embark on a journey to understand the concepts of renewable and non-renewable energy, including their origins and how we harness them for our daily use.

The lesson will then delve into the specifics of how wind energy is transformed into electrical power and the methods used to store this energy efficiently. Lastly, the lesson will address the critical issue of climate change, focusing on how energy consumption impacts our planet’s health and what role renewable energy sources like wind play in mitigating these effects.

This lesson has four sections:

  1. What is renewable vs non-renewable energy
  2. Converting Wind to Electrical Energy and Storing It
  3. Climate change
  4. Real-World Example The Saint-Nazaire wind farm

In this first lesson, students will have a chance to build a prototype version of the Wind Turbine using the Climate Action Kit and a micro:bit. This building project will contain step-by-step images to guide students through the building process.
The building tutorial is housed within a Makecode Tutorial for students to access within the lesson.

Coding Section Overview: In this part of the lesson, students will be given starter code along with detailed instructions on how to complete their project.

Key Coding Concepts:

  • Inputs– information or signals that a computer program receives, which could come from the user through actions like pressing a button or from data the program collects, guiding how the program responds to the user.
  • Algorithms-recipes for computers, providing a clear set of instructions that detail how to accomplish a task or solve a problem, step by step.
  • Sequential Events– Describe the order in which actions happen in a program, emphasizing the importance of timing and sequence in coding.

Project Description: Students will use two dial input blocks, one for each direction. When the dial is turned clockwise, the LEDs will display one color; when turned counterclockwise, the LEDs will display a different color. Additionally, when ‘on touch down’ is activated, the motor will stop, and the LEDs will turn black.

Using MakeCode: MakeCode is a user-friendly, web-based coding platform that does not require a student login. Within MakeCode, students will follow a step-by-step tutorial to complete their project. This tutorial not only guides them through the coding process but also explains the purpose behind each step, enhancing their understanding of how their coding choices impact the project’s functionality.

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