Water turbines have long been used to make work easier for humans while minimizing energy consumption. They are not only used in small- and large-scale operations, but also provide a great context for Integrative STEM education. Students can begin to understand the technological processes available by designing, building, and testing different products that use energy to meet a human need or want. The activity described in this article provides a realistic context for the natural integration of STEM concepts. Depending on the grade level, students can calculate Ohm's Law and efficiency using a tachometer, use more realistic building materials, and create turbine designs over wheel designs that are much more sophisticated and based on engineering principles.