Recycled Material Marble Runs (Potential Energies)

Let's investigate Kinetic and Potential Energies!

Background Information: There are all kinds of energy that change from one form to another since energy can not be lost of destroyed.  This is the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6e-KrNCe_E

The LAW of CONSERVATION of Energy: Energy can not be lost or destroyed. It changes from one form to another!

Read/discuss these examples with your group/class:

a) When kicking a football that is sitting on the ground, energy is transferred from the kicker’s body to the ball, setting it in motion.

b) Water can produce electricity. Water falls from the sky, converting potential energy to kinetic energy. This energy is then used to rotate the turbine of a generator to produce electricity. In this process, the potential energy of water in a dam can be turned into kinetic energy which can then become electric energy.

TOGETHER: Use Inspiration, Padlet, or Paper/pencil to brainstorm some more examples of energy transfers!

With your class, go outside and play this game:

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/games/redlightgreenlight.html

However, switch "KINETIC" for "Green Light" and "POTENTIAL" for "Red Light"

Can we show & tell our knowledge of Potential Energies in a Recycled Material Marble run?

In your group of three - choose a 'job': Spring, Elastic, or Gravity.

2) Research your 'job' and prepare to apply your knowledge.

Gravity Potential:

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMrnAcnsvKY

AND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq_bjaI0NTo

RESEARCH: http://www.eschooltoday.com/energy/kinds-of-energy/what-is-gravitationa…

Spring Potential:

WATCH:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeYgmFzQGu4

AND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWiYah08buI

RESEARCH: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-springs-work.html

Elastic Potential:

WATCH:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_22yf_gJyg

AND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpGfzrkNL5w

RESEARCH: http://www.fun-facts.org.uk/energy_facts/elastic-energy.htm

3) Using recycled materials, design then build a Marble Run that uses all of your new-found knowledge!

a) Brainstorm ideas.

b) Design (draw) your Marble Run and design a flow chart that explains WHERE and HOW you are going to use Gravity, Spring, and Elastic Potential Energy.

b) Using wall space in the hallway, build your design! TEST OFTEN and record each 'change' that you make.

c) Prepare to present your knowledge/Recycled Marble run to the class (everyone speaks and shares their information). 

Learning Goals

We will investigate Kinetic Energy, Elastic, Spring, and Gravity Potential Energies
as well as the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Success Criteria

We will be successful when we:

-thoroughly investigate Elastic, Spring, and Gravity Potential Energies

-effectively brainstorm, draw/design, and build a Recycled Material Marble Run

-confidently present your information and Marble Run to the class.

Recycled Marble Run – Individual Single Point Rubric

Recycled Marble Run – Group Single Point Rubric

Now that you have learned about the FUN that can be had learning Science (Physics) and applying your knowledge,  I hope you will actively seek out other cool science-learning!

Look at other Science Webquests!Research other Physics experiments! Ask Questions! Find Solutions! Tell others! Here are some more interesting resources that you might want to check into: 

http://www.energykids.eu/type-of-energy

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/law-of-conservation-of-energy-exampl…