We had a chance to connect with an engineer using the Skype a Scientist program advertised on the Microsoft Education platform (Skype-a-scientist).
His name is Tim Harrell and he is a civil engineering PhD student studying lightning protection of wind turbines. His work focuses on understanding the damage mechanism which causes structural deterioration of carbon fiber composite materials.
He was able to show the class some slides and Youtube videos about wind turbines as an introduction to the subject. He also discussed what an engineer is and had an overall discussion about what it is like to be an engineer.
In the videos we saw experiments that simulated lightning strikes in a lab that captured my students interest. We also were shown a map where the highest concentration of lightning strikes is around the world meaning where lightning strikes the most around the world. He also explained on small wind turbine model how wind turbine works.
It was a very interesting experience to me and my students and we can recommend this session to all students who would like to know more about wind turbines and renewable energy.
His name is Tim Harrell and he is a civil engineering PhD student studying lightning protection of wind turbines. His work focuses on understanding the damage mechanism which causes structural deterioration of carbon fiber composite materials.
He was able to show the class some slides and Youtube videos about wind turbines as an introduction to the subject. He also discussed what an engineer is and had an overall discussion about what it is like to be an engineer.
In the videos we saw experiments that simulated lightning strikes in a lab that captured my students interest. We also were shown a map where the highest concentration of lightning strikes is around the world meaning where lightning strikes the most around the world. He also explained on small wind turbine model how wind turbine works.
It was a very interesting experience to me and my students and we can recommend this session to all students who would like to know more about wind turbines and renewable energy.