Science Experiment To Make A Microhydro Power Plant Miniature

ACES Challenge Entry

Participant:
Absi mahandika zuchri

School:
Sdit Al Mubarak Jakarta Pusat

Country:
Indonesia

Summary

The experiment of making a microhydro power plant miniature is one of the scientific experiments aimed at giving children an overview of the working principles of hydroelectric power plants. The experiment of making this miniature was carried out through a series of activities. The hope is that when making this miniature, children learn to strengthen their fine motor skills through sticking, cutting, etc.
Materials: Large used bottle, plastic straws, large bottle caps, a small bottle cap, ice cream sticks, skewers, cable, an LED, crepe paper, used cartons, used cardboard, an AA battery, and a board.

Tools: Glue gun, paper glue, cutter, scissors, and a basin.

By using these materials and tools, this experiment can be carried out by following each step according to the video, with the assistance of parents. Parental supervision is required for this activity because some of the tools and materials can be dangerous if not handled carefully.

Learning and Competency Outcomes

The experiment of making a microhydro power plant miniature was carried out through several stage by the student. In each stage, the student can the following:

1. Practice and strengthen gross motor skills by drawing house patterns and building patterns, cutting out the results of house patterns, etc.
2. Children learn to understand single-wire diagrams and apply diagrams to real shapes.
3. During the experiment, the child will understand the vacuum effect on the bottle, when releasing the bottle cap.
4. The child also understands the approximate distance from the bottle and the waterwheel to be able to make the perfect circular movement of the waterwheel.
5. Children can understand the working principle of microhydro hydropower through the miniature that they build.

Playful Aspects

In this activity, in addition to the learning objectives, the playful aspect is also the reason this activity is recommended in learning and playing activities. Some of the playful aspects of this activity are:

1. After doing each step in the activity, children will find playfulness when they successfully make the LED light up by pressing the switch button.
2. Children will have fun when trying to turn a waterwheel, this can increase the adrenaline and curiosity of children.
3. Children can try to spin the waterwheel faster or slower by adjusting the bottle cap opener.

Frugal Aspects

Making this miniature microhydro hydropower plant utilises recycled materials, such as used boards, used cardboard, used bottles, used crepe paper, used bottle caps, used cables that are still functioning, and used skewers. This activity uses almost 70% scrap materials, except for the LED lamps, batteries, and ice cream sticks. This miniature can also be stored as a learning material in schools to introduce the process of microhydro power for kids. This activity is achieved by using cost-effective materials and tools, so that children can perform this simple experiment as a means to learn through play.