In the example lesson below, students in the Ambassadors group (Grades 6–8) take on a sophisticated and meaningful engineering challenge: to design a wind turbine that can either lift a weight or light a small bulb. This Wind Energy Challenge pushes students to apply science and design principles in pursuit of real-world, ethical solutions—grounded in faith, virtue, and social responsibility.

The lesson begins with a picture book to frame the concept of energy and power in the natural world, inviting students to consider how humans harness creation for the common good. A brief, high-interest video follows, introducing students to wind energy technology and its role in reducing environmental impact. These resources support students in seeing how their faith and innovation intersect, especially when solving global challenges.

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The driving question—“Can you design a wind turbine that lifts a weight or lights a small bulb?”—launches the class into the Engineering Design Process, which students have now internalized through repeated experience. Individually, students sketch and label their ideas on challenge sheets, then gather in teams to compare, combine, and finalize their group plans. Each team develops a detailed diagram and assigns roles such as Research Lead, Builder, and Virtue Guide to foster collaboration and leadership.

Students construct their wind turbines using motors, blades, fans, and (optionally) multimeters to measure energy output. By adjusting blade angles and materials, they test performance, explore efficiency, and analyze the real effects of design choices. The soft skill of Discipline is emphasized as students are asked to work with precision, focus, and intentionality throughout the iterative process.

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The virtue of Diligence guides the learning experience, reminding students that thoughtful, persistent effort honors the gifts God has given them—and the responsibility to use them well. The project also draws on the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Call to Participation, encouraging students to see themselves as contributors to a better world. Through clean energy innovation, they learn that engineering is not just technical—it’s deeply moral.

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Each team presents their design, explains their rationale, and participates in class testing and feedback. Students then return to improve their turbines and re-test, practicing humility, persistence, and growth. They begin to understand that innovation is a journey of faith, feedback, and perseverance.

This advanced challenge, like every Kingdom Builders STEAM lesson, follows a consistent structure rooted in Catholic identity:

• Literature and video connections that inspire cross-disciplinary thinking

• Application of the Engineering Design Process

• Emphasis on virtues, modeled by saints and practiced in action

• Integration of Catholic Social Teaching principles

• Development of 21st-century soft skills for leadership and service

By the end of the project, students emerge not only as competent young engineers—but as faithful Ambassadors of Christ, equipped to build a cleaner, more just world through creative, disciplined work.

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This Lesson also ties into one of the Kingdom Builder STEAM Adventure books: The Case of the Windy Kite! All 6 books are featured as resources in the Kingdom Builder STEAM Curriculum. Learn more about the Kingdom Builders STEAM Adventures by clicking on the image below!