During this unit students investigate energy and motion as they design a system that utilizes a motor to lower and lift a scale model of a cage at the Sanford Underground Research Facility; transporting people and equipment to science spaces nearly one mile underground. Students use math skills to calculate area and estimate capacity for the scale models created.
There and Back Again-- Energy and Motion
4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.
4-PS3-3 Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide.
4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of a problem.
3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.