The Interactive Science Classroom
Grades 4-6
Grade 5 Understanding Earth and Space Systems:
Conservation of Energy and Resources
LEGEND:
Individual Activity
Group Activity
Demonstration
Outdoor Activity
Once you have done activities about the different types of energy, use this as a consolidation activity. Drop a tennis ball from different heights and challenge your students to come up with as many types of energy involved in the ball falling and bouncing back up. What kind of energy is at play when the ball is falling through the air? When it hits the ground? Vary the heights from which the ball is dropped. What do you observe?
Expectations Addressed: 3.1, 3.4
Where Does the Energy Go?
Household Energy Usage
It can be difficult to measure how much energy we use on a daily basis. Set up a class challenge to reduce your total energy usage. Start by looking at the energy usage in your classroom. As a class, build a table that has an estimate for how many hours a day certain devices are on (ie: lights, computer, overhead projector, fans, etc).
From this table, use the “Household Energy Usage” Gizmo to estimate how much energy your class uses and how this impacts the environment and the economy. Set a plan on how you can reduce your classroom energy use, what little things can you do as a class? Record the number of hours your class uses electrical devices over a week and aim to reduce the number of hours each day. Calculate your energy usage impact each day and see if you have achieved your goal.
Haven't used Gizmos before? Click here for an explanation!
As an additional task, have your students pick a room in their house that they want to measure their energy usage for. Challenge them to record their energy usage for a week and to educate their household on how to decrease their energy output. The student who has the biggest energy difference will be declared the winner.
If you are looking for another way your students can explore energy conversion, have them play with the "Energy Conversions" Gizmo. It allows students to play with different types of energy and to learn how they are converted from one form to another.
