How do humans get energy since they aren't mechanical and can't photosynthesize? Learners explore this question by relating potential energy in food to human energy levels. Scholars measure the change in mass and a change in temperature in a peanut to better understand the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Concepts

energy, calories, food energy, potential energy, heat energy, energy transfer, energy transformation, the law of conservation of energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Combine the data from each individual into a group table to find the average and range

Classroom Considerations

• Be aware of any food allergies
• Use caution with flames and all flammable items, especially since the peanut takes awhile to light
• The seventh installment of a 10-part series on energy

Pros

• Connects to math and science
• Concepts immediately apply to pupils' lives

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.4