Sonner fountain
Classroom Visits

Can't come to JMU for a field trip? Bring renewable energy to your classroom. A CASE staff member will lead a wind or solar energy activity with your class at no cost for schools within 45 minutes of Harrisonburg. 

CASE's classroom visits serve as an indrect training for teachers, to allow teachers to see an activity first hand with their students. Most of these activities are available for teachers to borrow at no cost to replicate themselves with future classes. 

Email reyes3ar@jmu.edu with your school name, class subject and grade, number of students, and preferred dates and times to start planning a classroom visit. 

Activities include: 

  • Wind Turbine Blade Challenge: Students build a wind turbine tower and test various blades to see what variables affect and lead to the highest energy output. Students work in teams, competing to see who can produce the most about of energy in the wind tunnel. This activity is a mini version of the Kidwind competition. 
  • Solar Circuitry Exploration: Students are provided alligator clips, various loads (lights, motors, buzzers), and solar panels. Students are given a list of tasks to try to do with a circuit. (Spin a motor, spin a motor backwards, light a lightbulb and a motor). Optional mini lesson on circuits before students begin exploring. 
  • Solar Fountains
  • Lego Solar Cars: Students are given kits and instructions to build a mini solar powered car. This activity works only on sunny days. 
  • Macgyver Windmill Challenge 
  • Sail Cars
  • Anemometers: Students make an anemometer out of cups, straws, a pencil, and a pin, then collect wind speed data outside with them. 

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