POPS Matrix

Unit Essential Question: How can people obtain the energy we use from nature?

Lesson	Title	Objective	Essential Question	NYS Science Standards	NYS Related Standards	Hands On	Power of Physical Science
1	Introduction	Students will demonstrate their understanding that energy is the ability to do work and to cause change.	What is energy?
2	PE vs. KE	Students will demonstrate an understanding of the difference between stored energy (PE) and energy of motion (KE) by their ability to identify examples of PE and KE and to describe that energy is changed from PE to KE in a rubber band car.	What’s the difference between PE and KE?	Physical Setting Standards: 4.1d, 4.4	ELA Standards: 1, 3	Students use a K'Nex rubber band car and test the relationship between the PE and KE.	Video - KE vs PE
3	Electricity	Students learn about electricity through the experimentation with open and closed circuits and with Faraday’s law. They will demonstrate their understanding by completing an in-class notes sheet and a homework assignment.	What is electricity?	Physical Setting Standards: 4.1d, 4.4d, 4.4e		Student groups will assemble and test electrical circuits. Students will produce electrical currents by a magnet moving through a coil.	Video - Electricity
4	Generating Electricity	Students will demonstrate their understanding of how a generator is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by assembling and testing a generator. Students will investigate transfer of energy as demonstrated by the generator.	What does a generator do?	Physical Setting Standards: 4.1d, 4.4d		Students will assemble and test a simple generator using Cd's, magnet wire, magnets, a LED, and a LEGO gear box.	Video - Generators in Bangadesh
5	The Sun is the major source of energy for the Earth	Students will demonstrate an understanding of how the Sun provides nearly all the energy we use. This understanding will be developed by ordering sets of cards that depict the steps in the formation of nonrenewable energy, such as fossil fuels, as well as our renewable energy sources such as wind and water and the role the Sun plays in these processes.		Physical Setting Standards: 4.1a, 4.1 b, 4.1 c, 4.1d, 4.5a	ELA Standards: 1, 3	Students will order cards depicting the transformation of solar energy into coal, oil, wind, and water energy.	Video - Electrical power for Burma and Thailand
6	Transfer of Energy	Students will demonstrate their understanding of how different forms of energy can be transferred by identifying energy transformations in class activities and related examples.	In what ways can energy be transformed from one form to another?	Physical Setting Standards: 4.1a, 4.1 b, 4.1d, 4.5a, 4.5b	Social Studies Standard 3	Students construct a wind powered turbine and observe a water powered turbine.	Video - Transfer of Energy
7	Evaluation/ Assessment