In Mrs. DelToro’s Kansas History class, 7th grade students explored Windmills and the Kansas Frontier through an engaging, hands-on unit.
Students investigated the pivotal role windmills and the Ogallala Aquifer played in transforming Kansas’ landscape, economy, and daily life, from the mid-1800s to today.
Essential Question:
How did the adaptation of windmill technology change the geography, economy, and daily life of Kansas?
This four-day unit integrated Kansas History and Geography while also incorporating STEM concepts and Earth Day themes.
For the Earth Day portion, students learned how aquifers function and why it’s important to limit chemicals in agriculture and everyday use to protect groundwater and the environment. To bring this concept to life, students created edible aquifers using ice, crushed graham crackers, gummy bears, ice cream, and soda, helping them visualize the different layers within an aquifer system.
During the STEM portion, students designed and built their own pinwheel windmills. They experimented with variables, such as blade positioning, to successfully lift a “pail” from a simulated well. Through trial and error, students used critical thinking to adapt and improve their designs, mirroring the challenges and innovations of Kansans in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
