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Listed under:  Science  >  Forces and energy  >  Mechanical energy  >  Potential energy
Interactive

experiMENTALS: Gravity defying wheel

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of demonstrating resistance to change in a spinning a bike wheel to observe the principles of a gyroscope.

Interactive

Sites2See: Surf safety

A webpage about surfing safety, dangerous waves and rips, and the history and science of surfing. A 'For Kids' section provides games and quizzes for young swimmers and surfers.

Text

Bottle Racer

This activity invites students to engineer a bottle racer: a plastic water bottle propelled by energy stored in a wound-up rubber band. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions ...

Text

Stomp Rocket Design Challenge

This resource provides a scaffold for students to complete a design challenge. The design challenge requires students to create a stomp rocket that can travel to a chosen planet in the solar system. The design challenge can also be used to investigate forces and energy. It can be delivered over a number of lessons, or it ...

Interactive

Catchment Detox

Students play the game and make decisions about the development of a catchment with competing economic and environmental demands. Students receive feedback on how sustainably their catchment has been managed.

Interactive

Energy game: SMART Notebook

Interactive game to be played following the 'What is energy?' Notebook and assessing students' knowledge of energy sources - renewable and non-renewable and the possible effect on the environment. The game may be played by two groups on IWB, or pairs of students on a computer.

Interactive

National Science Week flight special

This resource contains lessons plans containing instructions and teachers' notes for fun experiments focusing on the science of flight. Try them in your classroom and watch Elliot and the Surfing Scientist tackle them on Roller-coaster. A wide ranges of activities with clear directions and illustrations based on a range ...

Interactive

Rotocopters

This resource contains lessons plans containing instructions and teachers' notes for a lesson that can be part of a unit on flight or used as a great motivating activity to foster positive attitudes. The clear and explicit instructions are a good example of a procedural text. The notes also provide a clear explanation of ...

Interactive

Energy-efficient house

Explore how the temperature inside a house is affected by air flowing in and out. Look closely at the energy effects of design variables in a house such as insulation materials, window coverings and window direction. Build a house with maximum energy efficiency by adjusting key design variables. Change the house design ...

Interactive

Energy chains: make electricity

Build up to six energy chains that make electricity. Select from different energy sources and choose energy converters to match. Examine the type of energy change that happens in each converter. Arrange the converters into the correct chain so that the energy can be delivered as electricity. For example, construct a chain ...

Interactive

Energy chains: energy use

Select energy sources and energy converters to build energy chains to power appliances and vehicles. Examine how each energy converter in a chain loses some energy and reduces the energy available for use. For example, show that using a solar panel and an electric motor to drive a car delivers only 16% of the original ...

Interactive

Energy skate park

This is an interactive resource about the potential and kinetic energy changes as a skater rolls around a skate park. Students learn about conservation of energy with a skater, they can build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. Students can also ...

Interactive

Projectile motion

This is an interactive resource about projectile motion. Students use a simulation of a cannon to fire various objects. They can set the firing angle, initial speed, height and mass, with or without air resistance. Students are encouraged to make a game out of this simulation by trying to hit a target. This interactive ...

Interactive

Oresome world

This interactive resource takes students on a journey of discovery in the energy and mining world. Oresome world contains five games or modules: Coal, Energy, Gas, Low emissions and Mining, and within each of these there are several facilities to explore, such as the Underground mining site, Hydroelectric power station, ...

Interactive

2024 Dreaming

Explore options for houses, work, food and transport in 2024 in this multimedia presentation from Radio National. A useful resource for stimulating discussion about applications of science and implications for society and the environment as well as current issues and developments in science. Gives examples of how different ...

Video

Mirrors Simulation (sk-Intel)

Students explore the reflection of light by plane mirrors and operate a simple periscope using ray diagrams.

Interactive

Circuit Diagrams

Students use this resource consisting of three slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how to draw simple circuits and the symbols used to represent them. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Audio

Brown note: bad vibration mega-hurts

This ABC article by Dr Karl investigates the myth that low frequency vibrations can result in an involuntary motion. The range of sound frequencies related to human hearing is described and how it can and cannot be used.

Interactive

Why is it cooler up the mountains?

'Ask an expert' ABC article about why is it cooler up in the mountains though it's closer to the sun and hot air rises. An excellent explanation that elicits discussion about solar radiation and heat energy and how energy is transferred and transformed.

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Food is stored energy

Elliot challenges Ruben Meerman, the Surfing Scientist, to do an experiment that involves explosions, pretty colours and lollies! Watch this clip to see what he comes up with. You might also learn something about chemical reactions and the stored energy in food.