School Project
View Document
View Video
Renewable Energy · Mechanical Design · Live Modelodel
Overview:
As part of my MYP Personal Project, I designed and built a working prototype of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) a type of turbine where the main rotor shaft runs vertically, making it effective in capturing wind from any direction. Unlike a theoretical exercise, this project required me to physically construct, test, and troubleshoot a live functioning model, bringing together concepts from physics, mechanical design, and energy systems.
What I Did:
The project moved through three key phases initial concept development and planning, hands-on building and experimentation involving structure, wiring, and mechanical assembly, and finally a presentation where I explained the turbine’s function and design choices to evaluators. When early designs did not perform as expected, I had to revisit my approach, identify faults, and iterate experiencing firsthand that engineering is a process of continuous improvement rather than instant results.
Key Skills:
Mechanical Assembly · Renewable Energy Systems · Design Thinking · Problem Solving · Prototyping
Key Learning:
This project taught me that translating theoretical science into a working physical system requires patience, adaptability, and persistence. It deepened my interest in sustainable energy and mechanical design, and gave me confidence in tackling real engineering challenges. Most importantly, it showed me that the best learning happens when things don’t go according to plan and you have to find a way forward anyway.