Wow, we had a great day of learning!  The students did a lot of mental lifting today and stretched their thinking!

We began by sorting examples of potential and kinetic energy.  The sorts generated a lot of debates and more in-depth questions.  For example, is a cup of hot chocolate kinetic or potential energy? (Answer: Yes, because heat is a form of energy.) The students also learned in a natural way to provide evidence to defend their viewpoints.

Later, we transitioned into learning and applying potential and kinetic energy by using ramps made of different surfaces and hot wheels cars and trucks.  Working through the scientific method process, the students wanted to know if potential energy is always heavier?  Well, they discovered the heavier the weight and the higher the position of an object, the greater the potential energy.

We shifted from first and second graders to physicists at work!

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