Build a Machine: How Does a Machine Change Energy From One Form to Another?
Sim Lesson
Students use the Build a Machine simulation to build a short energy chain from a source to an output, connecting a sun to a solar panel to a light bulb, and watch the energy change form. Lesson Purpose Students are learning that energy can be converted from one form to another. Building a simple sun to solar panel to bulb chain shows energy changing from sunlight to electricity to light.
A wind turbine turns moving air into electricity, and that electricity can light a bulb. Machines take energy from one place and change it into a new form. How does a machine change energy from one form into another? In this lesson, you will use the Build a Machine simulation to build a small machine that turns sunlight into light from a bulb.
Topics and standards: Science, Energy, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Physics, Physical Science, Sound Energy, Mechanical Energy, Simulation, Human Impacts, Electricity & Magnetism, Grades 3-5, Light Energy, 4-PS3-4, 4-PS3-3, SC.5.P.10.4, TEKS Science 5.8.A, 3.2.4.D