Today, Year 5 and 6 were fortunate to take part in a STEM workshop led by STEMPOINT ambassadors. They learned about the role of offshore wind energy, including the East Coast Wind Farm, discovering that a single wind farm can power an impressive 700,000 homes.
The ambassadors also shared information about the wind farm in Great Yarmouth, which has been in operation for many years. Pupils were fascinated to learn that one of the older turbines is approximately the size of the London Eye, while more modern turbines can reach heights of around 280 metres—similar to the height of The Shard. The children also learned that the Crown Estate owns the seabed and that developing offshore wind farms involves many different people and areas of expertise.
We explored a range of renewable energy sources, including solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy, before reflecting on non-renewable sources and the impact they have on our planet. The children also learned how electricity generated offshore reaches homes and schools. One ambassador explained how large underground cables are laid at a depth that allows farmers to continue using the land effectively, without affecting the landscape.
Towards the end of the workshop, we discussed the advantages of using three blades on a wind turbine rather than four. We learned that each blade weighs around 30–35 tonnes, meaning that adding extra blades would significantly increase both the weight and cost, making it unviable. The ambassadors also spoke about STEM careers, including engineering, civil construction, communications, archaeology and environmental roles.
To conclude the workshop, the children worked in small groups to design and create their own prototype wind turbines, demonstrating excellent teamwork and creativity.
Thank you to STEMPOINT for providing such a fantastic and engaging learning experience.
