Subject: science Lesson 4: The Ocean is a Source of Energy Aim / Learning Objective To show how the forces of the ocean can be used to generate sustainable energy. While the harvesting of sustainable energy may seem like a modern idea, Ireland has harnessed tidal power since 619 AD when the first Nendrum Monastery Mill was built on an island in Strangford Lough. This mill, which was rebuilt in 787 AD, used water from the incoming tide to fill a millpond. When the tide went out, water from the millpond was released through a sluice gate over a waterwheel, which in powered the millstone of the mill, grinding flour. It is the oldest example of a tidal mill anywhere in the world. Today in Strangford Lough a far more modern tidal power device called SeaGen has operated since 2008. It is expected to be removed shortly, having yielded a great deal of useful research information. Meanwhile, three national ocean energy test sites have been set up around the Irish coast to try out new wave energy designs - at Galway Bay, Belmullet in County Mayo and at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. Ocean energy comes from a number of sources including oil and gas, wave power, tidal power and offshore wind. Ireland is home to all of these forms of energy. Experiment Demonstrate how energy can be harvested from running water the method ● Very gently, turn on the tap so that a slow stream of water falls into the sink. ● Then introduce the child’s windmill sideways to the stream (see below). ● The windmill will turn, propelled by the water flow. ● Larger versions of this idea have been used to harness water power for centuries in such devices as Nendrum Mill and in far bigger machines, such as SeaGen. Materials ● Child’s plastic windmill. ● A source of running water (a tap). Make sure you watch Enda’s video discussing how he will create his own electricity on his adventure

Lesson 4: The Ocean is a Source of Energy€¦ · Lesson 4: The Ocean is a Source of Energy Aim / Learning Objective To show how the forces of the ocean can be used to generate sustainable

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Subject: science

Lesson 4: The Ocean is a Source of Energy

Aim / Learning ObjectiveTo show how the forces of the ocean can be used to generate sustainable energy.

While the harvesting of sustainable energy may seem like a modern idea, Ireland has harnessed tidal power since 619 AD when the first Nendrum Monastery Mill was built on an island in Strangford Lough. This mill, which was rebuilt in 787 AD, used water from the incoming tide to fill a millpond. When the tide went out, water from the millpond was released through a sluice gate over a waterwheel, which in powered the millstone of the mill, grinding flour. It is the oldest example of a tidal mill anywhere in the world.

Today in Strangford Lough a far more modern tidal power device called SeaGen has operated since 2008. It is expected to be removed shortly, having yielded a great deal of useful research information.

Meanwhile, three national ocean energy test sites have been set up around the Irish coast to try out new wave energy designs - at Galway Bay, Belmullet in County Mayo and at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.

Ocean energy comes from a number of sources including oil and gas, wave power, tidal power and offshore wind. Ireland is home to all of these forms of energy.

Experiment

Demonstrate how energy can be harvested from running water

the method● Very gently, turn on the tap so that a slow stream of water

falls into the sink.

● Then introduce the child’s windmill sideways to the stream (see below).

● The windmill will turn, propelled by the water flow.

● Larger versions of this idea have been used to harness water power for centuries in such devices as Nendrum Mill and in far bigger machines, such as SeaGen.

Materials● Child’s plastic windmill.

● A source of running water (a tap).

Make sure you watch Enda’s video discussing how he will create his own

electricity on his adventure