FREE PRIMARY SCIENCE · Years 5–6 (challenge)
Challenge: Energy detectives
Where does energy come from, where does it go, and why does it never get used up?
An extension topic. Builds on: Electric circuits (Year 6), where students traced energy transformations in a circuit. Lesson 1 builds energy transfer chains from the Sun to everyday things and sorts energy into kinetic and potential. Lesson 2 runs an ‘energy audit’ on the Ramp racer simulation. Lesson 3 is a hands-on bouncing ball challenge. Lessons 1 and 2 are iPad-only; lesson 3 uses balls, rulers and tape. Previews Year 8 AC9S8U05.
3 free lessons · Australian Curriculum v9
Lessons in this topic
Each lesson includes a teacher plan and activities. Check its materials label before teaching.
Follow the energy from the Sun
How does energy from the Sun end up lighting a torch or moving your legs?
Open free interactive lesson →Ramp racer energy audit
Where does a toy car’s energy come from, and where does it go?
Open free interactive lesson →The bouncing ball challenge
Why does a bouncing ball never bounce back as high as it was dropped from?
Open free interactive lesson →
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