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Posted January 9th, 2009 by admin

Motion and Design

Author: Carol Swink
Level: Elementary School
Content Area: Science, Technology, Engineering

Lesson 8: Testing the Effects of Rubber Band Energy

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Pre-activities: 
  • Prior to the lesson, prepare dots and 4 m (13 ft) of machine tape. Students also need two pieces of masking tape about 3 inches long to tape the machine tape to the floor.
  • Conduct this investigation in the hallway (need a space between 1 m and 10 m)
Activities: 
  1. SCIENCE NOTEBOOK:
    1. Write the question to be investigated: How does the number of turns of the rubber band on the axle affect the distance the vehicle travels?
    2. Write a prediction to the question.
    3. Share predictions with the class.
  2. Review the procedure for the investigation with the students (located on pages 34-35 of the student book).
  3. Students gather materials and follow the directions to conduct the experiment.
  4. SCIENCE NOTEBOOK:
    1. Use the data table example on page 85 of the teacher’s guide to record data for the investigation.
    2. Also for your data and observation, record observation patterns you observe in the placement of dots on the machine tape.
    3. Write your conclusions to the investigation. Use data and observations to support your conclusions.
  5. Display strips in the classroom for students to observe similarities and differences in group findings.
  6. Share and discuss findings with the class (remember to write down findings fro other groups in the LOL of the science notebook).
  7. Discussion questions:
    1. Where does the energy to wind the rubber band come from? (your muscles, fueled by sugar in your blood)
    2. Where does the energy to move the vehicle come from? (rubber band)
    3. How do you store energy in the rubber band? (wind rubber band around axle)
    4. How do you release the energy stored in the rubber band? (let go of vehicle)
    5. What happens when the stored energy in the rubber band is released? (vehicle gains energy of motion, axle turns)
    6. How does the number of turns on the rubber band affect the distance the vehicle travels? (more energy stored means farther distance)
    7. Why was it important to keep the number of turns the same for all groups in the class? (to make fair comparisons)
    8. What would happen if the number of turns was only 1? What if the number of turns was 10?
  8. SCIENCE NOTEBOOK: Students complete the LOL from student sharing. The LOL may also include a content blast.