Thames and Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Hydropower

by Thames & Kosmos

Product Features

• 12 experiments and building projects
• Harness mechanical energy from water to do physical work
• Generate electricity to light an LED
• Learn the physics of water turnies
• Discover why hydropower is a promising source of energy

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.6 x 11.5 x 3.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001TGAYU0
• Item model number: 624811
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,310 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Hydropower: Renewable Energy Science Kit. Hydropower has been used for hundreds of years in watermills and is now commonly used to generate electricity in applications such as hydroelectric dams and tidal power plants. Explore the power of water by building models and conducting experiments with them. Learn about how different devices are used to extract useful energy from moving water - from a waterwheel in a small stream to a giant turbine in a tidal power station. Build a waterwheel, a sawmill, and a hammer mill to harness the energy of moving water to do different types of physical work. Investigate the intriguing properties of water by performing experiments involving surface tension, adhesion, and cohesion. Learn about a water tower, communicating vessels, and a water fountain. Construct a hydroelectric power station to generate electricity and light an LED. Learn about where the energy in ocean waves, tides, and rivers comes from, and discover how we can generate electricity from them. The full-color, 32-page experiment manual offers illustrated instructions and scientific information.

Product Description

Hydropower has been used for hundreds of years in watermills and is now commonly used to generate electricity in applications such as hydroelectric dams and tidal power plants. Explore the power of water by building models and conducting experiments with them. Learn about how different devices are used to extract useful energy from moving water from a waterwheel in a small stream to a giant turbine in a tidal power station. Build a waterwheel, a sawmill, and a hammer mill to harness the energy of moving water to do different types of physical work. Investigate the intriguing properties of water by performing experiments involving surface tension, adhesion, and cohesion. Learn about water pressure by building a water tower, communicating vessels, and a water fountain. Construct a hydroelectric power station to generate electricity and light an LED. Learn about where the energy in ocean waves, tides, and rivers comes from, and discover how we can generate electricity from them. The full-color, 32-page experiment manual offers illustrated instructions and scientific information. Ages 8 and up.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars rev2, December 5, 2010

By 

M. A. Aloia - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Hydropower (Toy)

This was requested by high school students for a project. They were able to understand it and do all the experiments without much teacher intervention.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, but problems with waterwheel, February 17, 2011

By 

amccurdy - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Hydropower (Toy)

I used this kit for a classroom demonstration and it works great except for the longevity of the waterwheel. The wheel is made out of flimsy plastic which breaks into pieces after 20 or so uses. I ended up building a replacement wheel for the set which is working well for now.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flimsy and not what I anticipated, February 11, 2010

By 

A. Audrey Stanley (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames and Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Hydropower (Toy)

I purchased this for my very advanced scientifically minded 9 year old daughter and it was a disappointment. It's flimsy and needs an adult to help with the assembly. We're very science oriented so we thought this would be a lovely gift but it's poorly constructed and definitely overpriced. It won't last and I'm not sure she'll get much use out of it. My daughter definitely loved it so I guess it does well on that front.