In this video, host Matt Ferrell examines the potential for wind power ships to decarbonize shipping.
Students will learn about the potential of wind propulsion technology for reducing carbon emissions for shipping, such as the use of rotor sails and wingsails.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video is a great addition to any physics or engineering class to teach about the real-life applications of Newton's third law and renewable energy technologies.
The video describes some exciting and innovative new technologies for wind power that are currently in development.
The video description provides a link to the full transcript and sources.
Additional Prerequisites
The video may begin with an ad.
There are two ads in the video. They occur from 5:15 to 6:29, and from 12:33 to 13:03.
This resource discusses some fairly complex topics and uses advanced vocabulary, including decarbonizing and neutralizing carbon emissions, the Magnus effect (a fluid dynamics principle), biofuels, and lift, drag, and thrust forces.
Differentiation
Science or engineering classes could use this video as part of a research project about types of renewable energies.
Physics classes could use the video to discuss applications of the concepts of thrust and drag.
History or economics classes could focus on the part of the video that examines the history of the shipping industry and how it has changed based on resource availability and globalization.
This resource is a 13-minute video that looks at the potential, and current status, of wind-powered boats that can be used for shipping materials around the globe. While wind power was the only option for sailing hundreds of years ago, fossil-fuel power has become the predominant means of shipping. New technologies, including rotor and wingsail technologies, are currently being tested and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions from the shipping industry. This is a technology-and prototype-oriented resource and is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science and Engineering
ETS1: Engineering Design
HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
HS-ETS1-3 Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
PS2: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
HS-PS2-2 Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Social Studies
Personal Finance & Economics
Global Connections (F2): Students understand economic aspects of unity and diversity in Maine, the United States, and the world, including Maine Native American communities, by analyzing how resource distribution effects wealth, poverty, and other economic factors.
