Energy Sort

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
energy transformations
potential energy
kinetic energy
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will begin to think about various appliances and items that they use and the energy that those items consume. Students will make connections between common objects in their lives and energy transformations taking place.

Students will be put in groups of six to eight students. Each group will have images of various items that produce heat (light bulb, hair dryer, refrigerator, computer, game system, television, car,

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Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
opinion
reasons
point of view
writing
analysis
qualitative
quantitative
data
cause and effect
observations
conclusions
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will determine how differences between solar cars affected their functionality. Students will make claims based off of quantitative and qualitative data. Students will engage in scientific talk based off of their own observations when constructing and testing solar cars. Students will complete a journaling activity that outlines their processes relating to making conclusions.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students have performed the investigation and will now analyze their data. They will accomplish this through a journaling activity that requires them to use the data collected from the actual races. The will

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Collect Data...Then Compare and Contrast

Solar Car Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will:

  • Compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the solar car races.
  • Explain the mechanics of gear ratios and demonstrate the most useful ratio to use when constructing solar cars.
  • Explain the benefits of employing a pulley-system in their car construction. Students will understand the importance of selecting measurable, specific variables to compare in their data collection process in order to make evidence-based claims.

Students will race different iterations of solar cars: geared and pulley-system cars using varying gear ratios. Students will have the opportunity to make predictions, record data, and explain the results

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Build Solar Cars

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will construct a geared solar car, a pulley-system solar car, or both. Students will make verbal predictions about the outcomes and viabilities of different types of solar cars. Students will pinpoint the independent, dependent, and control variables in their solar car testing process.

Students will build their solar vehicles. There are many options for them to do this, depending on the specific variables hoping to be tested following the construction and material-selection process.

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Solar Cars Science Investigation

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test solar vehicles. They will determine which particular materials they will use in the testing of their chosen format. Students will allow for redesign to take place by determining variables that can be manipulated in a measurable format. Students will determine data that will be useful to collect in the testing of their vehicle design.

Students will design a science investigation to test solar car with a pulley or with a variety of gear sizes. In the previous lesson, they were introduced to the different types of systems that can be

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Gears vs. Pulleys on Solar Cars

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Engineering
gears
pulleys
Laws of Motion
force
Energy
energy transformation
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles. They will make claims based on backing evidence, without having directly tested their vehicles before this point. They will use background knowledge regarding pulleys and gears in order to begin the design process. Students will determine which specific design they will be moving forward with for the next lesson.

Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles.  This is an excellent follow-up lesson to the solar boat activity or any other activity in which students have already experimented with other types of solar vehicles.  However, it can additionally be implemented without having a previous vehicle-design activity... View full description >>

Analyze Data and Develop Conclusions

Solar Boat Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transfer
energy transformation
analysis
conclusions
writing frames
quantitative analysis
qualitative analysis
observations
writing
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Learning Goal(s):

Students will analyze data from the solar boat races and develop conclusions. Students will write out their conclusions in a clear, articulate manner that demonstrates the usage of evidence from their own observations. Students will determine specific uses for quantitative vs. qualitative data in science experiments.

Students have performed the investigation. They will now analyze their data, refer to their initial predictions, and develop their conclusions. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the usefulness of

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Collect Data and Compare Performance of Different Boat Designs

Solar Boat Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
electricity
data collection
analysis
force
buoyancy
gravity
variables
motion
acceleration
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Learning Goal(s):

Students will compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the airboat, speedboat and surface submarine races. Students will collect quantitative and qualitative data points that denote the effectiveness of each boat design. Students will compare observations made during the race and draw conclusions from these observations.

Students will race the solar speedboats, airboats, and surface submarines and then compare the performance results and of the various types of solar boats made by the class. Students will compare and contrast

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Building Solar Boats

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
solar energy
rudder
propeller
motor
troubleshooting
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. Students will determine different data points that are useful in the determining the most effective design for a solar powered boat. Students will undergo the process of redesign, noting why they made changes to particular variables on their boat and noting how these changes played out.

Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears.

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Solar Boat Science Investigation

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transfer
force
Laws of Motion
engineering design process
investigation
variable
fair test
dependent variable
independent variable
controlled variable
control
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test three models of solar vehicles. Students will justify which materials will be used in their construction. Students will be able to support their design with reasoning. Students will determine different methods of collecting data from their experiment relating to three types of solar boats.

Design a science investigation to test a solar speedboat, airboat, and surface submarine. Students will use the “Planning an Investigation Template” in order to determine their motivations for designing a

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