Bay High students build wind-powered pump

Bay High sophomores Alex Morley and Bill Samilson with the student built wind-powered pump.

Over the last two years, students in Bay High technology instructor Luke Kieffer's Home Construction and Energy classes have been working on an alternative energy project. The goal was to construct a full-size windmill that will pump water from one location to another.

While many different students have worked on the project over the last four semesters, sophomores Alex Morley and Bill Samilson put the effort in over the last few months to finally make it happen. The boys took their creation out in the wind and rain in April and the project came to life, successfully using the power of the wind to pump water.

The windmill is constructed completely of recycled materials. The pump is made of old PVC drain pipe and sump pump valves, the gearing was taken off an old ten speed bike, and even the blades of the windmill itself are constructed from an old rain coat. The students plan use what they've learned from the prototype and build a final product from steel and fiberglass that may be used where needed on Bay High School grounds.

Karen Derby is the Public Information Officer for the Bay Village City School District.