The word Energy means the ability to do work. The meaning of Work in science does not mean cleaning your room. Energy is something that can cause motion. There are different forms of energy that we use in our every day life. Our fourth grade physicists will conduct experiments using mechanical energy, electrical energy, heat energy, light energy, sound energy, and chemical energy. Student will notice that there are two forms of mechanical energy: kinetic (energy of motion) and potential energy (stored energy).
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
Here is a project that will help your child use the most important concepts about energy. It is easy, fast, and fun.
Take a Survey
Ask your child to review the following forms of energy (sound,electrical, mechanical, chemical, nuclear, radiant, and thermal) with you. Discuss ways energy can change form. Ask your child how many examples of each type of energy can be found around the house. A solar powered calculator changes radiant energy from the sun into electrical energy; but an electric-powered lamp changes electrical energy into light-waves and heat energy. Challenge your child to list some other examples and perhaps come up with longer series of how energy changes. (Perhaps do you know if your electricity comes from a nuclear-powers plant?)
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: Electricity
Learn how electricity is produced by the flow of electrons and what causes static electricity.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/electricity.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Heat or Thermal Energy
This video introduces how heat(thermal) energy affects molecules in matter.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/heat.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Energy and Matter
Energy can come in all different forms. Watch this video to learn more about kinetic and potential energy.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/energy-and-matter.htm
Suggested Reading
Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch. Learn about the genius inventor named Nikola Tesla who harnessed the power of electricity.
Light (Energy in Action) by Ian F. Mahaney. Read this book to learn more about light energy.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades 3-5 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
Here is a project that will help your child use the most important concepts about energy. It is easy, fast, and fun.
Take a Survey
Ask your child to review the following forms of energy (sound,electrical, mechanical, chemical, nuclear, radiant, and thermal) with you. Discuss ways energy can change form. Ask your child how many examples of each type of energy can be found around the house. A solar powered calculator changes radiant energy from the sun into electrical energy; but an electric-powered lamp changes electrical energy into light-waves and heat energy. Challenge your child to list some other examples and perhaps come up with longer series of how energy changes. (Perhaps do you know if your electricity comes from a nuclear-powers plant?)
Websites
Scholastic Studyjams: Electricity
Learn how electricity is produced by the flow of electrons and what causes static electricity.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/electricity.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Heat or Thermal Energy
This video introduces how heat(thermal) energy affects molecules in matter.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/heat.htm
Scholastic Studyjams: Energy and Matter
Energy can come in all different forms. Watch this video to learn more about kinetic and potential energy.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/energy-and-matter.htm
Suggested Reading
Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World by Elizabeth Rusch. Learn about the genius inventor named Nikola Tesla who harnessed the power of electricity.
Light (Energy in Action) by Ian F. Mahaney. Read this book to learn more about light energy.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades 3-5 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.