By Jane Carlson, QCOnline / Radish Magazine
Building a model wind turbine or solar car is not out of reach for students, thanks to a unique program at the University of Northern Iowa. Inspired by the memoir, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” about a young boy who built a windmill for his family’s electricity source, Fabulous Resources for Energy Education (F.R.E.E.) offers kits for students that put renewable resources into their own hands. The kits have been available for more than 10 years, according to Patricia Higby, energy education and outreach coordinator for the Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) at UNI, which oversees the F.R.E.E. program. Read more here.
Photo: Courtesy of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. A boy enjoys learning more about wind turbines with a University of Northern Iowa Fabulous Resources for Energy Education wind turbine kit.
F.R.E.E. Resources & Kits for Purchase
As the article mentions, F.R.E.E. also provides downloadable energy resources, and the renewable energy kits are available for purchase, with quantity discounts. These include the Energy Educator’s Kit, Geared Wind Turbine Kit, Junior Wind Turbine Kit, and the Solar Car Kit.
Fabulous Resources for Energy Education’s Online Store
More renewable energy resources are available at Nebraska Solar Schools’ website. Click on “Going Solar” for information about the program & “Curriculum Resources” for projects & activities. Most of them are free or inexpensive.