Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Golf Gravitas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are introduced to potential and kinetic energy through the example of a ball being thrown straight up in the air. They are then told that the energy associated with the position of the object is referred to as potential energy....
Lesson Plan
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Breaking Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students understand that the energy required to break a piece of wood can be computed by determining the force and distance (work) that snaps it. Kinetic energy is the system can be computed if its mass and velocity are known.
Lesson Plan
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Making Energy "trails"

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore ten different stations that demonstrate either chemical, kinetic, or mechanical energy. They examine the way energy is transferred during each station's hands-on activity. Stations include vinegar and baking soda,...
Lesson Plan
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Waterwheel Work

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate the history of the waterwheel and common uses for water turbines today. They construct an experimental waterwheel using a two-liter plastic bottle, measure the rate of revolution of a waterwheel, and complete a...
Lesson Plan
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TE Lesson: Kinetic and Potential Energy of Motion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the difference between potential and kinetic energy. They examine the formulae associated with both types of energy. They complete how quickly a pendulum with swing by converting potential energy into kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
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Kinetic Energy: Car Design

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a discussion about kinetic and potential energy. They work in groups to design and construct a car using plastic plates, pencils, rubber bands, card stock and balloons. Students write observations about...
Lesson Plan
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Balls and Ramp

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students role several balls of different weights down a ramp and into a paper cup and record how far each ball made the paper cup move. They then answer questions that help them analyze their results and reinforce the idea that energy...
Lesson Plan
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Attributes of Accuracy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain necessity in using accurate instruments when measuring, and how measurements can be checked for accuracy. They make a six-inch ruler, design, test, and evaluate a system to measure work, and produce a table and graph to...
Lesson Plan
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Wind Energy

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the methods of wind energy. They discover how a wind turbine generates electricity. They research the feasibility of installing wind turbines in their schools and construct a model wind turbine.
Lesson Plan
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Air Temperature and Kinetic Energy

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students use a NASA website do activities which help them better explain how air temperature and kinetic energy are related to aircraft propulsion.
Lesson Plan
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Hot Time in the Classroom

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, examine how temperature is a measure of the average translational kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
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Is It Kinetic or Potential ?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore real life activities that demonstrate kinetic and potential energy. They, in groups, classify the activity card statements as kinetic or potential. They should also include where the potential and kinetic energy...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Problem Set

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars calculate the potential energy of a glider, the kinetic energy of a moving glider and the change in velocity when potential energy changes to kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
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Potential and Kinetic Energy

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe and record the amount of work done by marbles rolling down a plane and more fully explain the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
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Heat Absorption

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars examine how heat moves from substance to another.  In this heat absorption instructional activity students identify ways that heat is transferred and analyze data.
Lesson Plan
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Give Me Energy

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore kinetic energy.  In this energy activity students complete an activity and explain what happened. 
Lesson Plan
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ROLLER COASTERS IN THE CLASSROOM

For Teachers All
Students define potential and kinetic energy and explain the relationship of height to potential energy.  In this roller coaster lesson students construct a model of a roller coaster which will allow them to see the basic physical...
Lesson Plan
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Roller Coasters in the Classroom

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students define kinetic energy and know the effects of weight and speed on momentum.  For this investigative lesson students get into groups and design a roller coaster. 
Organizer
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Energy Detective Worksheet

For Students 6th - 12th
In this energy instructional activity, students explore their environment to find items that use energy. Students then write a definition of energy. This instructional activity has 1 graphic organizer and 1 short answer question.
Worksheet
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A Potential Energy Worksheet

For Students 10th - 12th
In this energy instructional activity, students describe the differences between kinetic and potential energy and the difference between heat and temperature. This instructional activity has 6 short answer questions.
Worksheet
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Review for Thermodynamics Quiz

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this thermodynamics worksheet, students review kinetic and potential energy, enthalpy, entropy, and standard hear of formation. This worksheet has 1 short answer and 5 problem solving questions.
Organizer
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Energy

For Students 5th - 8th
In this energy worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by fill in the different types of energy and the different forms of energy.
Organizer
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How Does Energy Change Form?

For Students 8th - 12th
In this energy worksheet, students compare and contrast how potential energy and kinetic energy change form. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Organizer
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Physical and Chemical Changes

For Students 8th - 12th
In this physical and chemical changes worksheet, students will read 4 different examples of a physical or chemical change and will write in the effect of each of these changes.