Engineering Design Challenge Presentation Video

This video is an example of one of the presentations that were created for the Engineering Design Challenge on Wind Energy. Thanks to Emma W. and David E. for granting my request to record and post their presentation.

Example Energy Conversion Paragraph

This paragraph is an example that students may use to help them with their Energy Conversion Paragraph homework assignment.

When I ride my bicycle, there are many energy conversions that take place, including chemical energy being converted into mechanical energy, mechanical energy being transferred into mechanical energy in different places, and mechanical energy being converted into kinetic energy. Chemical energy is converted into mechanical energy in my legs when my muscles contract and I push on the pedals. When I push down on the pedals, the mechanical energy from my legs gets transferred to the mechanical energy in the gears and the chain as they turn. The mechanical energy in the gears gets converted into kinetic energy of the bicycle as it moves. Throughout this process, there are several energy conversions and each time that happens some of the energy gets converted into heat due to friction of the chain on the gears and the tires on the road.

Energy Links Submitted By Students

Here is a comprehensive list of links contributed by students ion Team Voyager. Please note, I did not include your link if it was the same domain as any that I posted in my previous blog entry or it did not lead to an active website or specific video. So, if you don't see your name here, that means either I didn't get it or it wasn't different from those I posted myself. In addition, I lumped some together if they came from the same domain.



Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy Connor M., Sean M., Ali A.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/energy/u5l1b.cfm Nicole J., Mark P.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/energy/ce.cfm Kayleigh A.
http://www.explorit.org/science/energy.html Aimee C., Emma W. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-energy.html Evan D.
http://www.tutorvista.com/science/potential-energy-for-kids Will M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn470XtSYK0 Jamie I.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-vky1BhMyo Jamie R.
http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Mod1/Whatis/Intro.htm David C.
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/friction Alex H.
http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/forms_of_energy.htm Rohini C.
http://classroom.jc-schools.net/sci-units Kasey K.
http://energy.usgs.gov/Adam L.
http://touchstoneenergykids.com/ Matt D.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/renergy.html Kelly M., Jessica G.
http://www.energy.gov/forstudentsandkids.htm Katie S., Michael R., Kevin M.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light Juliana D.
http://energyquest.ca.gov/story/index.html Kyle M., Goeffrey L., Matt R., Bailey K., Matt G., Hannah M., Margaret S.
http://library.thinkquest.org/2745/data/ke.htm Jennifer L., Katie C., Arianna M., Nick D., Matt M.
http://www.ehow.com/video_4951992_do-turn-nuclear-energy-electricity_.html Kevin K.
http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/pictures-of-solar-energy.html Caitriona O.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index Alyssa C.
http://www.kids.esdb.bg/fungames.html Matt M.
http://www.energyhog.org/childrens.htm Matt M.
http://www.touchstoneenergykids.com/index.php Joe O.
http://www.enwin.com/kids/electricity/types_of_energy.cfm Lexi N.
http://www.kids.esdb.bg/Emma C.
http://thermalenergy.org/ Julianna O.
http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/science/sciber00/8th/forces/sciber/potkin.htm Sarah C., Andrew H., Kevin T., Matt L., Sarah B.
http://www.topix.com/energyMatt T.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55SFc93v6YM David O.
http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/wcee/keep/Mod1/Whatis/experiments.htm John F.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/enecon.html Jesse A.
http://tiki.oneworld.net/energy/energy.html Jessica O., Symantha B., Samantha O., Annie R.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_energy.htmlSam M.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0857979.html Ryaan M.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/energy George G.
http://www.kidsknowit.com/educational-songs/play-educational-song.php?song=Kinetic%20And%20Potential%20Energy Julia H.
http://www.cstephenmurray.com/onlinequizes/physics/workandenergy/kineticvspotentialenergy.htmIvy C.
http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/index.htm Geoffrey L.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-kinetic-energy-and-potential-energy/ Sabrina C.
http://www.kidsenergy.ca/english/index.cfm Catherine G.
http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/enrg-types.htm Joe R.

Energy

Here are a few links that students can use to help them better understand the abstract concept of energy!

Energy In-Depth has some nice basic explanations and examples of energy.

U.S. Energy Information Administration has some nice energy basics and examples and explanationsof the forms of energy.

I also found this fun little interactive demonstration that may help kids to understand energy conversion in a system.

Presentation Guidelines Posted on Edline

Click here to take you to Edline to access the Presentation Guidelines!

Some pics from Engineering Design Challenge

Here are a few pictures from the design challenge in which students on Team Voyager are taking part.

Wind Power Projections

Check out this latest study from EERE News!

Wind Turbine Construction "Tips"

Click the link for some info about wind turbine construction. This is information that was contributed to a wiki for science olympiad by students competing in the event last year.

Engineering Design Process vs. Scientific Method

In this, our first Blog comment assignment, I would like you to compare and contrast the two processes shown below. One we've learned about and the other you explored in elementary school but will take to the next level here in middle school. You should write your response in a comment by clicking on Comments at the end of the blog post. Your comment should be in paragraph form. You should include at least one similarity and one difference in your paragraph. Be sure to sign your comment with your first name and initial of last name (ex. John S.). You will need to choose the Name/URL profile from the dropdown menu to send your comment. You only need to fill in the name part and can leave the URL blank. Use the same system (John S.) for your name. I will review your comment and then post it for all to see so be sure to do your best and try and respond to the prompt.

Karl Fisch Blog Post on What Students Should Know And Be Able To Do

I read this blog post from Karl Fisch yesterday and thought that I'd share it with anyone interested (is there anyone reading my blog?)

Ooh, just found this one as well from Will Richardson on Better Learning or Better Learners!

Upcoming Engineering Design Challenge

With the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico this past Spring, I thought it was time that my students get their hands dirty and learn about alternative energy sources. Throughout the upcoming design challenge, we will be learning about energy conversion, forces, properties of matter, the engineering design process, and material selection. Each team of students will be designing their own wind turbine which will be tested to determine the maximum sustained voltage output.

I am not quite sure how long this challenge will take as it is a new one for me but each team will create their own presentation (powerpoint, video, photostory with voice over, etc) to demonstrate their understanding of the basics of wind-turbine design and energy production including, I hope, the pros and cons of this type of energy.

If you click the link (title of post) you will be taken to a Science Olympiad web page. I am using this model for our own design challenge.

Scientific Method

Check out this page for tips on using the scientific method!

First Day of School Video

Here's the first day of school video that many of you saw at Back-to-School Night!

If you'd like a copy, I think that can be arranged! Just e-mail me at pguidetti@reading.k12.ma.us

Welcome Back!

This is my first post of the new school year! Seems like just yesterday that we were saying goodbye to all those sixth graders who have now moved on to the seventh grade!

Parents and students should know that there will be occasions when students will need to post information to the blog by making comments about posts that I enter. I will select a group of students in a class that will be assigned to do research to find answers to questions that I post. These answers that are included as comments on the post will be reviewed by me for content and then posted for all to see.

For example:

What are the three ways that heat can be transfered around the universe?

Students selected by me would then be assigned HW to research using the internet to find information that would help others to learn and understand the concept(s). They would then send comments to me through the blog with links to websites or web pages that others can use. Get it? You will!

I am looking forward to a great year with all of the new Team Voyager students! I hope you are too!

Heat Transfer Discussion Questions

These questions were given as a follow-up to our activity in class today:

Give a possible explanation for why the temperature of the hot water decreased by ~25 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the ice water only increased by ~6 degrees Celsius.

What factors/conditions would contribute to the loss or gain of heat over time?

Term 3 Table of Contents

Just in case...here's the Table of Contents for Term 3!!!

Apple Mummy Graphs

Use these graphs to help you with your follow-up questions.

Chemical Reaction or Physical Change

Check out this video of two guys with way too much Diet Coke and way too many Mentos!

Click on this link!

http://www.eepybird.com/dcm1.html

Question:

Can you explain why this is not a chemical reaction and it is a physical change?

Test This Week!

Just a few thoughts on what types of questions you should be able to answer:

1. How does heat affect the motion of atoms or molecules?

2. How does heat affect density of matter?

3. Explain the process by which a liquid changes into a solid. Be sure to indicate what happens to the atoms, how the density changes, and how heat is involved.

4. Give an example of a solid changing directly into a gas. What is this process called?

5. Give an example of a gas changing directly into a solid. What is this process called?

6. Using the Periodic Table of the Elements, determine the following information for any element: Atomic Mass, Atomic Number, Number of Protons, Number of Electrons, Number of Neutrons

How Do I Make a Model of an Atom?

Check out this web page for information to help you better understand the drawing of models of atoms.
This web page is found on the same web site as our Periodic Table of the Elements.

How to Use the Periodic Table of Elements

Want to challenge yourself?

Check out this link to a webpage that has tips on how to use the periodic table to help you understand the structure of an atom from the Periodic Table of Elements.