Look at this wind-up toy. Nothing is pushing it right now, yet when I wind it and let go, it races across the desk. Where was the energy hiding while it waited?
Today we will store energy in simple ways, watch it change into movement, and tell the story of that change as an energy chain.
Today's first word: stored energy — energy kept ready to use, like in a stretch or a wind-up.
A stretched band and a wound spring can both store energy ready for a big move. Which one are you most curious to try?
Watch carefully. First the energy is stored — then we let it go. Where is the energy at the start? What does it become?
Your group will work at one station. Store energy, then let it go.
Before you let go, say what you think will happen. After you let go, talk about: how was the energy stored, and what did it become?
Station A: rubber-band car. Station B: wind-up toy. Station C: stretched catapult (launch a soft ball of paper along the floor, never at anyone).
Take turns so everyone gets a go. If you have time, try a smaller stretch or fewer winds, then a bigger stretch or more winds, and compare.
On your Investigation Journal page, choose the station your group worked at. Write or draw: how you stored the energy, what you predicted before you let go, what you observed, and what the stored energy changed into.
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