Time Activity Description 10 min Introduction Briefly introduce students to the concepts of potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is simply the "stored" energy of an object. An object's potential energy depends partly on its height and gravity. Kinetic energy is the energy of the object in motion. As an object falls, or moves down an incline, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. So, a falling object (or one rolling or sliding down a hill) loses its potential energy as it increases its kinetic energy. Ask the students about the different alternative sources of energy they know of that possibly uses potential and kinetic energy. Explain that engineers design hydroelectric dams to take advantage of the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy, and then mechanical energy to electrical energy. In this activity we will focus on the first part. 20 min Water falling Fill the water container with water. Drop water (make sure it’s the same amount) from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. Have a student record the different splashes the iPod Touch video camera. Tell them not to look at the videos until they are done. Give students the option to design their own trash bag protection coat.
Time Activity Description 10 min Introduction Briefly introduce students to the concepts of potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy is simply the "stored" energy of an object. An object's potential energy depends partly on its height and gravity. Kinetic energy is the energy of the object in motion. As an object falls, or moves down an incline, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. So, a falling object (or one rolling or sliding down a hill) loses its potential energy as it increases its kinetic energy. Ask the students about the different alternative sources of energy they know of that possibly uses potential and kinetic energy. Explain that engineers design hydroelectric dams to take advantage of the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy, and then mechanical energy to electrical energy. In this activity we will focus on the first part. 20 min Water falling Fill the water container with water. Drop water (make sure it’s the same amount) from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. Have a student record the different splashes the iPod Touch video camera. Tell them not to look at the videos until they are done. Give students the option to design their own trash bag protection coat.
ignite_energy_curriculum.docx