Potential Energy Mini Unit Resources
Potential Energy Mini Unit for NGSS MS PS3-2
In the Potential Energy mini unit, students make connections between science and their lives as they identify all types of energy they have used today! They break down the energy changes that occur in a bouncing ball, collect data about ball drop height and bounce height and then make an excellent graph with TAILS (Title, Axes, Intervals, Labels, Scale). Extension activities challenge students to see the fun of elastic potential energy by designing, building and testing a catapult to fling a marshmallow!
Make it Relevant: Energy is all around us but it can be a difficult idea for students to fully comprehend. Focus on making connections between how kids use energy everyday and how that energy changes forms.
Tips and Tricks: The University of Colorado PhET simulation Pendulum Lab captures the change in PE and KE as a pendulum swings. Students can collect data for the summative assessment using this simulation or just play around and gain a deeper understanding of energy within a system.
If students are building pendulums for the final lab, demonstrate how and where to place the pendulums in your room. Then, discuss how students can increase the potential energy in the pendulum system (change the starting position of the bob) and what evidence they should collect to support their claim (number of swings, total time moving). This is excellent review of experimental design and using evidence to support conclusions. Nuts, string and tape make easy, inexpensive pendulums.
Enrichment Ideas: Fossil fuels are an excellent source of potential energy but they are quickly being used up. Challenge students to learn more about other sources of energy including biodiesel fuels. Ask kids if a car could really run on French fry oil!
Anchor Phenomenon Ideas: Kids, even middle schoolers, love to play. Gather a variety of balls and toys and let your students play! Discuss how energy relates to the balls and toys and use the questions your students come up with to make connections throughout your unit.
