Classroom exercises left one group of Hastings College physics majors wanting more.

“[The Hastings College Organization of Applied Sciences] was created because a do-it-yourself/real world application/take what you learn in class and apply it group didn’t exist on campus, and there was a fervor among several students when the idea was brought up to create a group like this,” Sonny Hughey, a senior physics major from Fallbrook, Calif., who currently serves as HCOAS’ president, said.

With funding from the 2010-2011 Student Association and an Imagine Grant and help from Professor of Physics Dr. Steven Bever, HCOAS is tackling the construction of a vertical axis, helical blade wind turbine – “a project that realistically could be completed, while challenging and improving our knowledge of the physics involved,” said Hughey.

Ideally, the organization would like to see its fifteen-foot tall, four-foot wide turbine erected on campus and contributing up to 3,300 kWHs of green energy to HC’s campus.

HCOAS members have had initial discussions with college officials to secure approval for the turbine’s construction.

“A final decision has not been made, but the preserve between Kiewit and the new science building is the realistic site,” Hughey said. “Having it closer to the science building, on the north-west side would be ideal.”

For more information about HCOAS, its wind turbine project and its members, visit the group’s website at www.hcoas.com.

Wind turbine design