STATION #1: Can you make the energy flow? 1) Go to: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/energy/media/games/web/energyflows.swf 2) Put the correct objects into the correct sequences to make the energy flow. Example: battery wires light bulb 3) Record your choices and explain the energy flow in your worksheet for: Using energy in sunshine to make music Using energy in river water to make cool air 4) Apply your understanding of energy to answer the third question on your worksheet.
STATION #2: Marble vs. Marble Your task is to arrange the materials starting with setup A, followed by setup B, and then C. Answer the questions on your worksheet first, then flick the marble(s) to record your observations. 1) Setup A: Using marbles of the same size, line up 2 marbles in the middle of the ruler and 1 marble at the edge of the ruler. 2) Setup B: Using marbles of the same size, line up 3 marbles in the middle of the ruler and 2 marbles at the edge of the ruler. 3) Setup C: Line up 4 small marbles of the same size in the middle of the ruler and 1 large marble at the edge of the ruler. When you are finished recording your observations, try other combinations!
STATION #3: Tuning Forks According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another. 1) Carefully strike the tuning fork against the bottom heel of your shoe. What do you hear and what do you see? (Warning: Striking a tuning fork against something hard can damage the tuning fork). 2) Again, carefully strike the tuning fork and quickly stick it into the water. 3) In your worksheet, describe and illustrate what happened during this transfer of energy.
STATION #4: Design a Roller Coaster In roller coasters, the two forms of energy that are most important are gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. Gravitational potential energy is greatest at the highest point of a roller coaster and least at the lowest point. 1) Answer all three questions in your worksheet. 2) Go to: http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/ to design a roller coaster that results with a two-thumbs-up safety/fun rating!
STATION #5: Solar Power Read the following passage and answer the questions in your worksheet. Solar energy is obtained from sunlight. Since energy cannot be created or destroyed, solar energy can be changed to electricity to power things such as lights, computers, and televisions. This change is done through devices called solar panels. Solar panels are made up of solar cells, which convert light energy into electricity. As technology has improved, solar power costs have decreased and it has become a more viable alternative, competing with energy sources such as coal and oil. Solar energy is one of the types of energy called 'alternative energy', which means it is different and healthier for the Earth than normal ways of getting electricity. While solar power is becoming more efficient, it only provides a small fraction of the world s energy supply. Spacecraft and space stations such as the International Space Station (ISS) often use solar panels to generate power.
STATION #6: Rube Goldberg 1) Adjust Rube Goldberg s device to catch a burglar! 2) Click TEST to start the machine. 3) Click RESET to move everything back to the start position. 4) You will need to adjust each part before moving to the next part. 5) After you complete the task, answer the question in your worksheet. 6) Click CTRL+R to refresh the window and have it ready for the next group.
STATION #7: Hidden Pictures 1) Dip a paint brush into the lemon juice mixture and draw a picture on a piece of white paper. 2) Allow the invisible ink to dry. As the ink dries, your picture will disappear. 3) Hold the paper that contains your invisible ink picture under the lamp until the picture reappears. Answer the question in your worksheet.
STATION #8: Drag Car Racing Cups 1) Wind your racer by holding the cups in place and repeatedly spin the chopstick around the bead. 2) Set the racer down and watch it go! 3) Answer the question in your worksheet.