• Assess the general knowledge of the class through large-group discussion and participation in investigations.

• Observe students as they respond to questions about roller coasters to connect energy and motion.

• Monitor student responses to make sure that students understand there are two types of energy (potential and kinetic).

• Observe whether students practice safety procedures during an investigation as they move about safely and use proper equipment.

• Monitor students as they work in small groups and independently to create roller coasters.

• Monitor student responses on student worksheets and group discussions.

Begin by having students stand and stay very still. Tell students that upon your signal they are going to move in place as fast as they can and then stop when a signal is given to stop. Tell students: “Now, I will signal for you to slow down and then move faster and then slow down again. How did you feel when you were moving fast? Did you feel your heart going faster? Did you begin to breath faster?” Ask students to move back to their desk and begin the discussion. Ask students, “How many of you have ever seen a roller coaster? How many of you have ever been on a roller coaster? Tell me about it.” Allow time for students to discuss what a roller coaster is and describe how it was to ride one. Show students a picture of a roller coaster and ask, “Look at this picture, and describe how you would build a roller coaster.” You want students to understand that a roller coaster has hills and valleys. “Describe how the car on the roller coaster would travel going up the hill and then going down the hill.” Students should describe the car as going slowly up the hill and going fast down the hill. “How is the movement of the roller coaster like your movement done at the beginning of the lesson?”Students should begin to relate that the roller coaster slows down and speeds up or goes faster and we moved slowly then moved faster.

Tell students that all things that move have energy. “The faster the object moves the more energy it gains. When you move you are using energy to move. The faster you move the more energy you have. When you stop moving your store the energy, it is waiting to be used. We call this potential energy. When an object moves it is using energy called kinetic energy.” Write on the board the terms Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy and create a working definition of both. Have students record the words and definitions in their student journals. Create a word wall with these words and any other words used throughout this unit.

A Roller Coaster Investigation

Note: Prior to the lesson and classroom demonstration, cut the pipe insulation in half. Then measure and cut three-foot sections for each group (S-3-1-1_Roller Coaster Lab Directions.doc).

Place students in groups of 4 to 6 and assign one student as a materials person to collect items for the activity. Tell students they will work in groups to create a design that demonstrates potential and kinetic energy. Have the assigned materials person collect the materials for the group.

Give each group a set of directions (S-3-1-1_Roller Coaster Lab Directions.doc) and tell students they are going to be working in their groups to construct a section of a roller coaster according to the directions. Once they have constructed their design, then they will investigate how it works and record their findings (S-3-1-1_Roller Coaster Ride Investigation.doc).

When students are finished with the investigation, have them collect the materials and work independently to answer the questions on the Roller Coaster Lab sheet (S-3-1-1_Roller Coaster Lab Sheet.doc). Discuss the answers from the lab sheet.

Extension:

• Students who are going beyond the standards can join other sections of pipe insulation and add loops. Have students investigate how to make the marble gain enough energy to travel through the loop and continue on.

• Students who might need opportunities for additional learning can stand and listen for a command to either show potential energy (stand still) or kinetic energy (move about).