Throughout this 8-week project, students will design and defend a renewable energy solution by exploring wind and solar power. Inspired by "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," students will investigate energy transfer concepts and apply critical thinking to address community needs, enhancing skills like effective communication and collaboration. Partnering with CMS energy, students will collect and analyze data, refine their designs, and present their findings in an exhibition showcasing windmill models and argumentative essays, promoting content expertise and academic mindset development.

Students will comprehensively explore renewable energy concepts and challenge their creative problem-solving skills by designing and defending a wind or solar energy solution tailored to meet community needs. They will engage in data collection and analysis to support their arguments, refining their research and communication skills through argumentative essay writing. By collaboratively designing windmill models, students will apply their knowledge in constructing functional prototypes, reflect on energy impacts inspired by "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," and evaluate both engineering and environmental implications, preparing them for real-world applications.

Throughout the course of the project, students will collaboratively construct a functional windmill model using recyclable materials to apply their knowledge of energy transfer and circuit design. Additionally, they will produce an argumentative essay selecting and defending either wind or solar energy based on their research findings, with comparative analysis supported by evidence. Both products will be showcased in a final exhibition where students present their models and essays, exemplifying their critical thinking, communication skills, and mastery of content expertise.

Start the project launch by reading selected passages from "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," focusing on William Kamkwamba's journey and innovations in wind energy. Engage students by discussing the relevance of renewable energy in addressing community needs, weaving in the themes of perseverance and innovation from the story. Follow this with a collaborative brainstorming session where students identify local community needs and consider how renewable energy could provide solutions, allowing them to connect to the project and its essential question on a personal level.

Students will culminate their project by presenting a model windmill or alternative renewable energy solution, accompanied by an argumentative essay advocating for wind or solar power. To allow thorough preparation, the exhibition timeframe will extend to ensure comprehensive student presentations before community partners like CMS Energy. This exhibition invites students to articulate their critical findings, defend their chosen solution, and integrate feedback from professionals in a meaningful exchange, showcasing their practical applications of the research and design processes.