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Session 15: Energy Science ⚡

Overview

Grades: 5-6 | Duration: 45 minutes | Session: 15 of 17

Students explore energy transformation and simple machines, applying physics concepts to engineering challenges.

Session 15: Energy Science

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand energy types and transformations

  • Apply simple machine principles

  • Design machines that transform energy

  • See God's design in physics

Session 15: Energy Science

Materials Needed

  • 🔧 Simple machine materials

  • 🧱 KEVA Planks/construction materials

  • 📏 Measuring tools

  • 📓 Engineering journals

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Leonardo da Vinci — Catholic artist and inventor who saw no conflict between faith and science! Designed amazing machines centuries ahead of his time.

Scripture

"I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it." — Ecclesiastes 3:14 (Energy conservation!)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you created a universe of amazing order where energy transforms but is never lost. Help us understand these principles and use them to engineer solutions. Your design is perfect! Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (8 minutes)

  1. Energy Fundamentals:
  2. Energy cannot be created or destroyed—only transformed!
  3. Types of energy:
    • Kinetic — Energy of motion
    • Potential — Stored energy (height, elastic, chemical)
    • Thermal — Heat energy
    • Electrical — Moving electrons
    • Sound — Vibration energy
    • Light — Radiant energy
  4. Simple Machines:
  5. Tools that make work easier
  6. Six types:
    • Lever — Lifts/moves with fulcrum
    • Wheel & Axle — Rotates to reduce friction
    • Pulley — Changes direction of force
    • Inclined Plane — Ramp reduces force needed
    • Wedge — Splits or separates
    • Screw — Inclined plane wrapped around cylinder
  7. Conservation:
  8. God's design: Energy conserved
  9. Nothing is lost, only transformed
  10. "Nothing can be added to it and nothing taken"

Main Activity: Energy Engineering (28 minutes)

Part 1: Energy Transformation Investigation (10 minutes)

Build Energy Chain:

  • Create system showing energy transformations:
  • Start: Potential energy (height)
  • Transform to: Kinetic energy (motion)
  • Transform to: Kinetic (hit something)
  • Transform to: Sound (noise)

Simple Example: Rube Goldberg Starter

  • Ball on ramp (potential → kinetic)

  • Ball hits lever (kinetic → kinetic)

  • Lever lifts something (kinetic → potential)

  • Continue the chain!

Part 2: Simple Machine Challenge (15 minutes)

Engineering Challenge: Design and build a system that:

  • Uses at least 2 different simple machines

  • Accomplishes a task (lift, move, separate, etc.)

  • Shows clear energy transformations

  • Is as efficient as possible

Design Ideas:

  • Lifting system (lever + pulley)

  • Vehicle (wheel & axle + inclined plane)

  • Catapult (lever + potential energy)

  • Ball run with multiple energy transformations

Build & Test:

  • Construct your machine

  • Test multiple times

  • Measure/observe energy transformations

  • Improve efficiency

Part 3: Demonstration (3 minutes)

  • Show machines working

  • Explain energy transformations

  • Identify simple machines used

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw and label your machine
  2. Simple machines used: ___
  3. Energy transformations (chain):
  4. Write: "Energy conservation shows God's design because..."
  5. Write: "Simple machines help by..."

Closing Circle (4 minutes)

  1. Physics Wonder — "What amazed you about energy?"
  2. Order in Creation — "How does energy conservation reflect God's design?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Creator God, thank you for the order and consistency in your creation. Help us use these principles to build things that serve others. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified energy types

  • Built working machine

  • Explained transformations

  • Connected to simple machines

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Simpler machine focus

  • Partner construction

  • Guided design

For Advanced Students

  • Complex Rube Goldberg

  • Efficiency calculations

  • Multiple simple machine types

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Find simple machines at home (scissors = lever, screwdriver = wheel & axle, etc.)! Track energy transformations in your day. Build a simple Rube Goldberg machine together. Research Leonardo da Vinci's inventions!

Teacher Notes

  • Simple materials work great

  • Safety with moving parts

  • Energy vocabulary important

  • Great outdoor activity option

Previous: Session 14 — Robot Olympics
Next: Session 16 — Innovation Lab