Windfarms: Decision making exercise
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the human and physical requirements for wind farm sites and evaluate potential site locations.
Key learning points
- Wind speeds are higher in offshore, high-altitude, flat areas as they are less sheltered.
- Wind farms should be located far from densely populated areas and close to the electricity grid.
- Many people campaign against wind farms due to the noise and visual impact.
- Geographers often use a cost benefit analysis to help make decisions.
- OS maps are a good source of information for potential sites.
Keywords
Wind turbine - a device that generates electricity from wind power
Wind farm - an area in the countryside where a group of wind turbines has been placed to generate electricity
Sheltered - a location that is protected from harsh conditions such as strong winds
Electricity grid - a network of wires, power stations and systems that deliver electricity from where it is produced to where it is used by consumers
Common misconception
Wind farms are best located as remotely as possible.
Wind farms should be located far from densely populated areas but close to the electricity grid. If they are too remote, the cost of connecting them to the grid will be high.
Teacher tip
When asking students for their opinion on a scale bar (found in learning cycle 1), simply run your finger along the scale and ask them to raise their hand when it aligns with their opinion. It is possible to then ask individual students to justify their decisions.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to its definition.
Can be replaced naturally in a short time
Cannot be replaced quickly and will eventually run out
Materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a renewable natural resource?
Q3.Coal, oil, and gas are examples of fuels.
Q4.Which of these is not a non-renewable resource?
Q5.Why can using non-renewable resources be a problem?
Q6.Which statement is true about Earth's natural resources?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
A device that generates electricity from wind
Group of wind turbines in the same place
Protected from strong winds or harsh conditions
System that moves electricity to homes and buildings
Q2.Why are wind farms not placed in very sheltered areas?
Q3.Which of these is a good location for a wind farm?
Q4.What is a likely problem with building a wind farm in a very remote location?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Windfarms: Decision making exercise, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Windfarms: Decision making exercise, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Natural resources: Can Earth meet our needs? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.