Ohio State Fair attendees had the opportunity to create a windmill! This activity helped them understand how windmills help pump groundwater to the surface to provide the water needed for people, crops and livestock.
At the fair, participants followed an engineering design process to create a derrick that would be able to support the weight of a wind-powered electric generator sitting high enough above the tree line to catch prevailing winds.
Over 350 water windmills were built and tested at the fair, with such a popular crowd response that the exhibit had to be moved to a larger space. This activity won the “Best Exhibit” award from the fair organizers.
This curriculum and activity was created by GrowNextGen, in partnership with the 4-H Ag Innovators Experience: Presented by Monsanto.
