Goals: Learn the principles of kinetic energy (the energy of motion) and develop an understanding of how they relate to daily activities in students’ lives

Time Required: 40 minutes

Materials Required: Be a Submarine Engineer Student Reproducible 2 (PDF); Resource Sheet 2 (PDF); pinwheel, sink, and “turbine” building supplies, such as craft sticks, straws, tape, etc.

Directions:
1. Have students look around the classroom and identify objects in motion (e.g., fan, clock, hands being raised). Review the definition of kinetic energy (the energy of motion). Have students determine a source of the kinetic energy they see at work in the classroom (e.g., the clock arm is powered by a motor, which is powered by a battery).

2. Distribute Be a Submarine Engineer Student Reproducible 2.

3. Organize the class into pairs. Have students complete the experiment by following the steps of the scientific method. As students engineer a turbine that spins, remind them that the experiment is demonstrating kinetic energy.

4. As a class, compare and discuss the findings of each student pair.

Wrap-Up:
Have students reflect on the experiment by writing a scientific synopsis of how the experiment demonstrates kinetic energy.