To investigate energy transfers and transformations, it took much searching to find suitable online links. I have listed four websites I found that will be very useful when introducing this topic to my eighth grade students.
Energy Skate Park - This is a PhET simulation that allows students to manipulate a skater on a half-pipe. Students are able to observe the energy transfer between potential and kinetic energy.
Energy in a Roller Coaster - Again, a great simulation to observe the transition between kinetic and potential energy in roller coaster. The drawback with this site is that is member-based and only allows seven views before having to pay.
The Science of Snowboarding - An amazing site put together by NBC and the National Science Foundation to observe the science behind the Olympic games. There are several videos available for many sports. Also, I found videos that link NFL football with Newtons Three Laws. Those can be found here. Talk about a perfect way to spark student interest!! :)
Building the Basic PVC Wind Turbine - This was the best find!! It is an inquiry-based investigation into wind turbines. Students create blades for the turbine and then test them in terms of the amount of electricity produced. The great part is that the directions for building the base are easy and the materials needed are readily available. This is an investigation I will be doing with my students.
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