Lesson 1 - Where Do You Get Your Energy?
Energy is a very big idea in science, and one of the most basic phenomena of our universe. A standard definition of "energy" says that it is the ability to perform work, cause motion, or create change - a pretty tall order packed into one short word, and a somewhat abstract concept for your learners.
Lesson 2 - What Are Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy?
Energy can take many forms: it can be chemical, electrical, thermal, light, mechanical, or nuclear. For classification purposes, these forms are placed in two broad categories" potential (stored) energy and kinetic (moving) energy.
Lesson 3 - How Can We Show Energy Is Transferred and Converted?
In this series of activities, students are asked to think more deeply about specific kinds of energy and how they are converted to different forms of energy within a system. As they do so, students are encouraged to raise questions and record them in their science notebooks.
Vocabulary Flash Cards for Lessons 1-3
Vocabulary Flash Cards for Lessons 4-5
Vocabulary Flash Cards for all lessons combined
Lesson 4 - How Does Energy Move in Water Waves
Waves are one of the ways in which energy is transferred. A wave can be described as a disturbance that transfers energy without transporting matter from one place to another. As energy moves, the space through which the energy is being transported is temporarily disturbed. Once the energy has passed, the space returns to its original state.
Lesson 5 - What Are Alternative Forms of Energy?
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. Some sources of energy are renewable while others are not. Coal, oil, and natural gas are energy sources that are nonrenewable, or are present on earth in a finite supply. In the US, about 90% of our energy comes from fossil fuels - and we are running low.
Alternative energy sources such as biomass, wind, water, solar, and geothermal energy are all cleaner and gentler on the planet. While alternative energy sources are generally considered more expensive, that is not always the case. Research indicates that in areas with the best resources, wind power is cost-competitive with new generation from coal and natural gas plants. The big drawback to many renewable energy forms is not the cost but that they are slow.
Lesson 6 - What Have We Learned About Energy?
Energy is a very big idea in science, and one of the most basic phenomena of our universe. A standard definition of "energy" says that it is the ability to perform work, cause motion, or create change - a pretty tall order packed into one short word, and a somewhat abstract concept for your learners.
Lesson 2 - What Are Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy?
Energy can take many forms: it can be chemical, electrical, thermal, light, mechanical, or nuclear. For classification purposes, these forms are placed in two broad categories" potential (stored) energy and kinetic (moving) energy.
Lesson 3 - How Can We Show Energy Is Transferred and Converted?
In this series of activities, students are asked to think more deeply about specific kinds of energy and how they are converted to different forms of energy within a system. As they do so, students are encouraged to raise questions and record them in their science notebooks.
Vocabulary Flash Cards for Lessons 1-3
Vocabulary Flash Cards for Lessons 4-5
Vocabulary Flash Cards for all lessons combined
Lesson 4 - How Does Energy Move in Water Waves
Waves are one of the ways in which energy is transferred. A wave can be described as a disturbance that transfers energy without transporting matter from one place to another. As energy moves, the space through which the energy is being transported is temporarily disturbed. Once the energy has passed, the space returns to its original state.
Lesson 5 - What Are Alternative Forms of Energy?
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change. It can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. Some sources of energy are renewable while others are not. Coal, oil, and natural gas are energy sources that are nonrenewable, or are present on earth in a finite supply. In the US, about 90% of our energy comes from fossil fuels - and we are running low.
Alternative energy sources such as biomass, wind, water, solar, and geothermal energy are all cleaner and gentler on the planet. While alternative energy sources are generally considered more expensive, that is not always the case. Research indicates that in areas with the best resources, wind power is cost-competitive with new generation from coal and natural gas plants. The big drawback to many renewable energy forms is not the cost but that they are slow.
Lesson 6 - What Have We Learned About Energy?