Science topics for the year include: Geology, Energy, Input/Output (computer systems & human brain)
Social Studies topics include: United States & Regions, Vermont Geography & History
The current science unit is focused on energy conversions.
For energy collisions, students will explore how mechanisms change energy by transferring direction, speed, type of movement, and force. Students discover a variety of ways that potential energy can be stored and released as kinetic energy. Citing evidence, students explain the relationship between the speed of an object and the energy of that object. They also predict the transfer of energy as a result of a collision between two objects. As students solve the problem for this module, they will apply their knowledge and skills related to energy transfer in collisions to develop a vehicle restraint system.
For energy conversion, students will review concepts of potential and kinetic energy. Then, students will learn about forms of energy including thermal, light, nuclear, chemical, electrical, and mechanical. Students then learn about the conversion of energy between forms and the energy transfer required to move energy from place to place. After students have explored energy conversion and transfer, they are presented with a design problem involving moving large amounts of donated food from a truck to a food pantry.