Kinetic Energy Mini Unit Resources
Kinetic Energy Mini Unit for NGSS MS PS3-1 and MS PS3-5
In the Kinetic Energy mini unit, students use marbles, ramps and blocks to learn how mass and speed affect an object’s kinetic energy. They play with the Energy Skate Park PhET simulation to construct and analyze graphs of mass, speed and kinetic energy. Finally, students use a double ball bounce (drop a tennis ball on top of a basketball) to construct an argument in support of the claim: When the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object. Extension activities challenge kids to create a roller coaster for a marble and calculate the energy of the ride!
Anchor Phenomenon Ideas: To hook students immediately, demonstrate the double ball drop (drop a tennis ball with a ping pong ball on top) and let the discussion begin! Kids will come back to this phenomenon for their summative assessment as they build a deeper understanding of energy. This video of the stacked ball drop from the Physics Girl explains the physics behind this phenomena and how it is related to a supernova!
Tips and Tricks: Focus on the fun! Kinetic energy is everywhere. Point out examples of kinetic energy as kids walk, play sports and listen to music. Set out meter sticks, cardboard or wood to use as ramps, textbooks, different sizes of marbles and blocks or dice and let kids play.
Extension Activity: The foam tubes used to insulate pipes work well to build marble roller coasters as long as kids don't bend them in half (they do break). Ramps made of paper also work. Masking tape can secure the tubes to any available wall, window or door.
