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CKSci Unit 1: Energy Transfer and Transformation

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Focus: This unit engages students with the idea that whenever there is a change, there is at least one form of energy causing that change. Students investigate evidence of energy all around them—when they flip on a light switch, feel a car start to move, or hear a phone ring. The relationship between energy and change becomes clearer when students understand that

• energy is observed in different forms, such as sound, light, thermal energy (heat), and electrical energy;
• all of these forms of energy can cause changes, such as when a high-pitched sound breaks glass or when heat melts butter;
• one form of energy can transform (convert) into another; and
• all change, in fact, is evidence of a transfer of energy or a transformation.

Students also learn that engineers use their knowledge of energy as they develop solutions to problems and build things that are useful to people. As a series of culminating activities, students explore the principles and practices of engineering design, such as scientifically defining a problem to be solved and evaluating and optimizing possible solutions. Number of Lessons: 13 Instruction Time:

• Each Lesson is designed to be completed in one 30–45-minute class period. Some lessons may take more than one class period.
• Some single-day activities and performance tasks might require setting aside a longer block of time.
• This Unit should be completed in 20 classroom days.
• A Pacing Guide is provided within the Teacher Guide.
• A complete list of Materials needed to complete the unit is provided in Online Resources.

Additional Search Terms: evidence • model • variable • speed • motion • distance • collision • contact force • electricity • current • stability and change • cause and effect • energy and matter • convert • design • test • refine • nonfiction • informational text