Teaching Wind
Launched in 2011, the Illinois Wind Schools program gives students and teachers a chance to better understand how wind turbines work, and how they contribute to changing the way we generate electricity. Since all Wind Schools are required to have previously installed solar systems, these schools have a special opportunity to explore the relationship between these technologies.
We feel that this is the beginning—not the end—of a conversation with your students about renewable energy, environmental science, and other topics.
Below are some helpful links to help you develop new ideas on how to teach wind energy topics:
National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) Resources for Teachers
- Correlation to Illinois State Education Standards
- Primary Level Wind Energy Infobook
- Elementary Level Wind Energy Infobook
- Intermediate Level Wind Energy Infobook
- Secondary Level Wind Energy Infobook
- Energy Infobooks-All Types
- Energy Infobook Activities
- Question Bank
- NEED Curriculum Guides (By Subject)
Department of Energy—Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources
- Energy Education and Workforce Development
- K-12 Lesson Plans and Activities
- K-12 Energy and Environment Competition Opportunities
- Better Buildings
- Zero Energy Buildings
- The Advanced Energy Design Guide
- State and Local Solution Center
Illinois Wind for Schools Program
The Illinois Wind for Schools (ILWFS) program offers curriculum development resources, teacher professional development, on‐site technical assistance and instructional equipment to Middle School and High School teachers across the state of Illinois to incorporate wind energy topics into the classroom. The ILWFS program addresses Illinois Learning Standards Goals 7 and 10 in Mathematics (Estimation and Measurement; Data Analysis and Probability), and Goals 11, 12 and 13 in Science (Inquiry and Design; Concepts and Principles; Science, Technology and Society).
The Illinois Wind for Schools staff is comprised of expert personnel from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, the Department of Engineering Technology at Western Illinois University, the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, and the College of Education at Illinois State University.
This program has excellent resources to help Illinois teachers better integrate wind energy topics into their curriculum.
