In this science-based unit, students explore the world of energy. In the first half of the unit students learn what energy is, the different ways that energy is transferred from place to place, and the ways energy can be converted from one type to another. In the second half of the unit students explore the pros and cons of different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy. After learning about the different types of energy, students will grapple with what the world's energy future will look like if more renewable solutions aren't found, particularly in their communities. Through a combination of reading and research, it is our hope that students begin to build a deeper understanding of energy and its influence on our lives.

This unit builds on to the informational reading skills and strategies developed in previous units. At this point in the year we assume that students are able to actively read and annotate informational texts in order to build understanding of a topic. Therefore, the focus of this unit is on refining students' ability to use different strategies to comprehend denser scientific texts. In particular, students will continue working on determining the main idea, summarizing key details, explaining cause and effect, using text features to improve understanding, and explaining how an author uses text features to elaborate on key concepts and ideas.

Using a hot wheels car, students can either convert the car's kinetic energy into potential energy in some form (gravitational or elastic), or transfer the car's kinetic energy to another object. Students then use the companion document to answer analysis questions.

Explore how heating works in different rooms in the home. Rooms may be bigger or smaller, may have windows or no windows, and may have multiple sources of heat or one. All of the conditions will affect how well a room will be heated, and subsequently the room’s energy efficiency. A more energy-efficient room will require less energy to produce the same outcome (e.g., the same level of heating).

Data sets and graphs on energy production, use, dependency, and efficiency are compiled through following key World Development Indicators.

In this lesson, students identify the sun as the source of energy and understand how energy flows through an ecosystem.

Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even space!

Great to use as an introduction to kinetic and potential energy transformations. This simulation shows how kinetic, potential, and thermal energy transformations occur as a person skates on a ramp. It graphs the relative values so that students can see the change in energy with the change in the position of the person.

This module is designed to guide students in better understanding energy and its many different forms. The students will also understand how one form of energy is transformed into another form of energy.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such everyday appliances, electrical energy, energy from the sun and kitchen materials to create a device that can transform energy.This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly, Stephanie Hooks, and Karin Kaerwer as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

This 5E lesson helps students understand that energy can be transformed from solar energy into mechanical, electrical, and chemical.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Binary is a way of representing information using only two options.Binary uses a series of 0 and 1 to represent information. In this activity, students will use a chart that converts binary numbers to alphabetic characters. This activity incorporates decoding of binary code into letters to answer questions related to energy and motion.

Data set and map pertaining to energy production for all countries. The World Bank specifies energy production as a World Development Indicator (WDI) -- the statistical benchmark that helps measure the progress of development.

Explore how different elements come together to form bonds and compare changes in potential energy and forces.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Set the initial height of a pendulum and observe how potential, kinetic, and thermal energy change during pendulum swings.

Set the initial position of a mass on a spring and observe how potential, kinetic, and thermal energy change when the spring is released.

Data set and map pertaining to energy production for all countries. The World Bank specifies energy production as a World Development Indicator (WDI) -- the statistical benchmark that helps measure the progress of development.

This module focuses on SOL 5.7c, energy’s effects on phases of matter. The target population is a fifth grade inclusive classroom. After this learning experience, students should understand that as its temperature increases, many kinds of matter change from a solid to a liquid to a gas. As its temperature decreases, that matter changes from a gas to a liquid to a solid. This module was developed by Karin Kaerwer, Stephanie Hooks, Sarah Donnelly as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.