Introduction
The Law of Conservation says that "energy cannot be created or destroyed, it is only changed from one state to another." This means new energy is not made and old energy doesn't go away.
Imagine you live in a very flat area and it is super windy all the time. You need to use energy to power your lights and other appliances in your house, but the main electric line is down. You are hosting a big party in three days, but the power line will not be fixed by then.
How can you use the energy from your surroundings to an electric current you can use to power your house with?
Task
Your Mission
1. You need to determine if it is possible to use the energy in your surroundings to create an electric current to power your house. Write a paragraph explaining why it is/ is not possible.
2. Design a device that will allow this transfer of forms of energy to take place, and explain how it causes the energy to change form.
3. Draw a neat summary diagram that explains how energy can be taken from your surroundings and used to power your house for the party. Make it colorful with pictures.
The best design and diagram will receive the blue ribbon of honor and will be set up throughout the neighborhood.
Process
1. Read these articles and watch these videos.
https://www.generationgenius.com/energy-transfer-lesson-for-kids/
2. Read these articles and watch these videos.
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/wind-power/574607
https://easyscienceforkids.com/wind-energy-facts-video-for-kids/
Evaluation
| Step 1 | Write a paragraph explanation of whether energy can be taken from your surroundings and used to power your home. | 3-4 sentences | 30 points |
| Step 2 | Sketch a rough idea of your device and explain how it transfers energy to a different form. | 2-3 sentences | 20 points |
| Step 3 | Create a step-by-step summary diagram of your device and explain how each step transfers forms of energy. | Neat, Colorful, Explanation of each step, | 50 points |
Conclusion
We learned that energy can be transferred from one form to another since it cannot be created or destroyed. Therefore, we can take energy from our surroundings and use it to power our homes.
Wind turbines can transfer wind power into kinetic energy that can be transferred into electric energy. Turbines are just one of many other helpful ways we can use the energy from our surroundings.
Next time you see a turbine, you will know how amazing they are. Be on the lookout for other devices that use the abundance of energy in your surroundings!
Credits
Kentucky Academic State Standards
4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
4-PS3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.