MWS Gives Back

In 2018, MWS sponsored the Wisconsin Electric Car Racing team. Although smaller and lighter than full-size race cars, the student team is constantly searching for ways to improve performance and increase reliability.

During the winter months, the team develops the vehicle with comprehensive manufacturing processes. In this phase, the team works tirelessly to build and test the vehicles, continuously resolving any issues that arise. Everything comes together for the combustion competition, FSAE Michigan, in early May, and the electric competition, FSAE Lincoln, in June. To give the team a competitive edge, MWS provided 16 AWG Microsquare™ magnet wire that delivers more power in less space.

Every year, MWS helps support the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) that provides grant money to secondary school classrooms in Eugene, Oregon, where students learn how to build a wind turbine.

For three days, students work in pairs to first create a small turbine, then test it in a tabletop wind tunnel. They learn to build their own coils of copper wire and spool them for the turbine. The students then assemble to test their turbines and learn how to make proximity adjustments to maximize the energy output. Finally, students design an investigative experiment to modify their turbines by adding magnets or changing the propeller type. The goal is to have their turbine provide the highest voltage output. The top-scoring teams from each school are invited to participate in regional competitions.

All in all, this project provides an invaluable hands-on learning experience and is a great way for kids to understand the power generation capability of wind turbines.

Learn more about how Students spend long hours perfecting their wind-power projects.