The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Energy in Science

Energy in Science

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Susie Herman

2023

Notes for Teachers

• Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom for several hours
• Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
• An emphasis on different types of energy and how they are all related in each science domain.
• Activities can be done in stations or each as a separate day. Reflect on each activity.
• Hydroponic Garden Conclusion - discuss what energy is needed for the garden to grow successfully.

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List of Materials

• Newton’s Cradle:
• popsicle sticks, marbles, hot glue, beads, string
• Solar Ovens:
• container (pizza box, pringles can, cereal box, plastic wrap/overhead transparency film, food to cook (smores, hotdog, cookie dough)
• How Does a Leaf Breathe:
• leafs, bowl, water
• Energy: Physical Science for Kids
• Student Journal

Standards

Life Science

6.L2U3.11

6.L2U3.12

6.L2U1.13

6.L2U1.14

Physical Science

6.P1U1.1

6.P1U1.2

6.P1U1.3

6.P2U1.4

6.P4U2.5

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Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

and Portrait of a Graduate

● ask questions

● gather information from observations

● reason about information and connect it to scientific ideas

● communicate their understanding and reasoning

● solve problems creatively

● think critically

● work cooperatively in teams

● use technology

● value lifelong learning

Construct scientific explanations of how energy from the Sun is transferred through ecosystems

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Develop an understanding of forces and energy and how energy can transfer from one object to another or be converted from one form to another. They also develop an understanding of the nature of matter

Objectives:

Develop an understanding of how energy can transfer from one object to another or be converted from one form to another.

Agenda (5 hours)

• Read Energy: Physical Science for Kids
• Complete background lesson: PDF Student Journal
• Engineering a Newton's Cradle
• Engineering a Solar Oven
• How does a Leaf Breathe
• Conclusion: Hydroponic Garden Discussion

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Phenomena

People say I have so much energy all the time and that the sun gives plants energy, is it the same?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

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1. Picture Discovery
2. Read Aloud Energy: Physical Science for Kids
3. Investigate energy types with Student Journal
4. Three Energy Stations
1. Newton’s Cradle (Physical Science)
2. Solar Oven (Earth and Space)
3. How Does a Leaf Breathe (Life Science)
5. Hydroponic Garden Conclusion

Assessment

1. If you have a hydroponic garden, have students observe and discuss in pairs the types of energy the garden uses.
2. After each activity, Newton’s Cradle, Solar Oven, and How Does a Leaf Breathe, have students create an Exit Ticket using this sentence starter:

I noticed __________. The cause of __________ was __________. The effect of __________ was __________. The model shows __________.

1. Have students draw maps for each other, to various locations around school, where they found energy happening. “Energy Map Scavenger Hunt”

Differentiation

Five ways to differentiate this lesson would be to:

1. Build the outside of the Newton’s Cradle for students who struggle with fine dexterity.
2. Use a cardboard cutter to cut out the pizza box.
3. Support students understanding of Energy by showing a background video to support the scientific vocabulary
4. Have students work in pairs.
5. Complete the Student Journal together as a class.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

A few ways to enrich this lesson would be to:

1. Have students create a solar oven out of recycled materials instead of a pizza box. One example is a rotisserie hot dog cooker from a Pringles can.
2. If students finish any of the activities with time to spare they can construct a puzzle with the vocabulary or create a self selected project showing their learning.