Energy
Students will be provided experiences in physical science dealing with energy. They will investigate electricity and magnetism and engage in engineering design as they explore applications of electromagnetism in everyday life. Our investigations will focus on the concepts that energy is present whenever there is motion, electric current, sound, light, or heat, and that energy can transfer from one place to another. Students will conduct controlled experiments while determining how to make an electromagnet stronger and how the amount of energy transfer changes when a stationary object is struck with balls of varying mass. Students will interpret data from graphs to support explanations and make predictions. They will create models of how energy moves in circuits and waves.
Games & Interactive SitesAC/DC: What's the Difference?
Circuits and Conductors Changing Circuits Energy Kids How Does Electricity Get to My house? How It Works How We See Things Kids & Energy Electric Circuits Colored Shadows Investigation TWO: The Force of Magnetism Students will investigate the properties of magnets and how they interact with each other and other materials. They will construct a simple compass and use it to detect magnetic effects along with exploring how magnetism can be brought about in a piece of iron. Students will graph data to look for patterns of interaction while investigating the strength of the force of attraction between two magnets. Investigation FIVE: Waves
Students will learn that waves are repeating patterns of motion that transfer energy from place to place. Properties of waves -- amplitude, wavelength, and frequency will be studied in compression or sound waves. |
Investigation ONE:
Energy and Circuits Students will investigate electric currents and circuits, and the pathways through which electricity flows. They will work with a variety of components -- D-cells, lightbulbs, motors, switches and wires. They will also explore conductors, insulators, series and parallel circuits. Students will develop and justify predictions based on their observations of electricity transferring energy to produce light and motion. Investigation THREE:
Electromagnets Students learn how to use electricity to make an electromagnet. They explore the variables that influence the strength of magnetism created by an electromagnet. Students combine concepts learned to design a simple telegraph system and communicate using a click code. Investigation FOUR: Energy Transfer Students will observe the transfer of energy that results in heat, light, sound, and motion as they are introduced to sources of energy and components that store energy. Students will experiment with steel balls and ramps to discover how the starting position on the ramp affects the speed of the rolling ball. Variables of mass and release position will be tested through controlled experiments to determine how these variables affect energy transfer. |