Content area
Full Text
INTRODUCTION
Since the earliest of times, humans have transformed the natural world into the technological world. They have manufactured goods, constructed shelters, and transported themselves across the world. Much of this work has been undertaken by converting one form of energy into another. This technological activity often demands the use and processing of nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, and forestry products. However, in recent years, environmentalists are concerned that the use of nonrenewable resources is affecting climate change, global warming, and reducing the available resources for future generations. In turn, protection of our natural resources and reduction of our impact on the environment is becoming increasingly important.
One approach that can be used to reduce the demand we place on nonrenewable resources is to find alternative methods to generate electricity. Although there are many renewable resources available to generate electricity, such as solar and wind, one method that has long been employed is the utilization of turbines (wheels) to convert energy from the flow of water into mechanical and electrical energy. Water turbines have long been used to make work easier for humans while minimizing energy consumption. They are not only used in small- and large-scale operations, but also provide a great context for Integrative STEM education. Students can begin to understand the technological processes available by designing, building, and testing different products that use energy to meet a human need or want.
HISTORY OF WATER TURBINES AND HYDROPOWER
More than 2000 years ago, the Greeks were arguably the first humans to utilize water turbines (water wheels) by grinding wheat into flour (US DOE, 2015). Even the Roman Empire used water turbines to produce work during the third and fourth centuries. Despite these turbines being perceived as advanced technology of the time, they were very rudimentary in design. Additionally, many were termed or used more as mills than present-day turbines. Water mills (Figure 1) were largely comprised of a circular wheel around an axle that contained horizontal boards to collect the water. As the water rushed past the boards, the water mill would rotate. This process was not very efficient and resulted in minimal power and work produced.
In medieval Europe, the water wheel was seen as a replacement for manual labor, which had...