| Resources:
WORK IS SIMPLE WITH
SIMPLE MACHINES
A list of experiments and lessons on simple machines
Why boats float and elephants sink (buoyancy) A simple experiment
that explains buoyancy.
Energy and Matter A list of various types of energy and
examples of each
Energy Quest An
interactive energy
education website
Moving Water - Moving Blades Students can make a small water
turbine model. The potential
energy of water is harnessed to produce mechanical energy which can be
used directly, or used to generate electricity.
A Magnet Experiment This counting and magnetism experiment explore
magnet strength.
BrainPop: Buoyancy This website has a science video clip about
buoyancy.
Nova: Buoyancy Brainteasers: This site has good teacher
information about buoyancy. There is a link to Buoyancy Basics that
has some good graphics.
Why Do Astronauts Float Inside the Space Shuttle? This video
clip relates floating in the shuttle to riding in an elevator.
Suggestions for English Language Learners (ELLs):
(E/B=Entering/Beginning, D=Developing, E=Expanding)
E/B: Students will make and label a volcano; D: ...and
will give an oral explanation of volcanic activity; E: ...and
will give both an oral and written report using reference texts and
scientific vocabulary.
E/B: Students will make a collage or display depicting the
use of wheels.
E/B: Students will
use magnets to push toy cars across their desks. They will then draw
a picture to show what they have observed; D, E: ...and will
be given magnets of various strengths to push cars across the table,
then chart which magnets exerted more force.
E/B: Students will
view a demonstration and then examine simple tools (i.e.fork,
blender, egg beater, rolling pin). Students will make a magazine
collage depicting various tools, then label the work they do; D:
Students will break into small groups and brainstorm a list of
things that use energy to do work (i.e. pencil, scissors, clock,
etc.); E: Students will break into small groups and classify
objects that do work by chemical, electrical and mechanical energy.
E/B: Students attach two balloons to string and suspend them
upside down. They will then choose several materials (wool, fur,
hair, etc.) to rub against each balloon and record through pictures
what happens; D: ...and will chart which materials attract
and repel; E: ...and will infer why certain materials cause a
specific reaction.
E/B: Students will
drop a superball from heights of one foot, five feet and ten feet.
Students will chart the ball's height after each drop; D:
Students will drop different sized balls, then chart, describe and
make generalizations about the results; E: ...and will list
all variables which affect how high the balls bounce.
E/B: Students will graph and label the results of dropping
different objects from a variety of heights; D: ...and will
make oral and written generalizations about falling objects; E:
...and will do the same using more complex language.
E/B: Students will examine, and classify objects by energy
source. They will make a graphic organizer of this information using
pictures and labels; D: Students will categorize objects into
3 objects into 3 types of energy found at home or school; E:
Students will analyze the school environment and list different
types of energy used and hypothesize how school would be affected
without them.
D: Students will create a timeline depicting the history of
the wheel.
E: Students will use creative writing to describe a world
without wheels.
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