Discovery World
What kind of music to wind turbines like? Well, they’re big metal fans. Ha! Actually that’s not true. Wind turbines are not fans. They’re opposite of fans. We apologize for ruining what is otherwise a fantastic joke. Build a model of a wind turbine and discover how to transform the motion energy of wind into the electrical energy that powers the world.
Water, as you know, flows downhill. Flowing water can be an incredible energy resource. Nearly a quarter of the world’s energy is generated by hydroelectric power stations. Build a model of a hydroelectric turbine and learn how to transform the kinetic energy of flowing water into the electricity.
Each year, the Earth receives around 3,800,000 exajoules of energy from the Sun. It’s a staggering amount of energy. Our planet receives more energy from the Sun in ninety minutes than people use in a year. This energy drives weather and life. Plants transform about 3,000 exajoules of this solar energy through photosynthesis. Humans transform and use around 500 exajoules of energy each year. 95% of the energy we use comes indirectly or directly from the Sun. Build your a solar powered home front and fuel your home all year round with the power of the sun.
Coal is the most used energy resource on our planet. Create a model of coal-powered electric grid system and explore where electricity comes from and how it gets to your home!
Assemble a cross section of a piston to explore the inner workings of the combustion engines that power our cars, trucks, ships, and snowblowers. Learn how energy is transformed into power and work.
Discover all the ways we use electricity around the world. Create this Globe Light that shows major cities to see which parts of the globe use the most electricity per capita.
Is there a difference between kinetic and potential energy. Sure. Energy that is stored in a lump of coal or a lump of uranium or a compressed spring or a big rock at the top of a cliff seems different than energy that is in the process of being transferred and/or transformed. Of course, energy is energy. It’s just there. It’s a property of stuff. Experiment with Kinetic & Potential energy with this Super-Ball Bounce Experiment that you create yourself!
Ah, friction. Without this force that converts work into heat. Sometimes friction is great, like when we’re riding our bikes or climbing up a mountain or holding something. Sometimes friction is bad, which is why we need to put oil in engines. Build this Friction Testing Facility and test different kinds of friction (yes, there are different kinds of friction!) using as many materials as you can find in our Upcycling Wall.
We know that educators are always looking for ways to enhance their everyday curriculum. That’s where we can help!
The Kohl’s Design It! Lab offers exciting programming through either onsite interdisciplinary workshops offered as part of your field trip visit to Discovery World, or as the Kohl’s Design! Mobile lab –an onsite teaching lab that brings the learning experience to your classroom!
Both of these options will give your students a unique learning opportunity through these hands-on design experiences.
