How is your body similar to a car?

How is your body similar to a car?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

Do you think the "energy" used by people and the "energy" used by cars is the same thing? Why or why not?

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DISCUSS:

Where does this get its energy from?

toy-car

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DISCUSS:

The more you stretch a rubber band, the faster an object goes. Why?

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energy


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the ability to do an action
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motion


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a change in the position of an object
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speed


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how fast something is moving
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stored energy


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energy that is not in use, but is saved inside something, such as batteries or rubber bands
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model


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a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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fair test


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an experiment where only one thing is changed, and everything else stays the same

Featured Reviews

“THIS IS AMAZING! My 4th gr students LOVE LOVE LOVE the drag race cups! Hurray for an activity that made my first-ever teaching experience in science a total hit - kids can't wait for next week's lessons!”
· Kathy · Teacher
“The thin and thick rubber bands were great examples of how energy is stored differently, and it was a real world example.”
· Dana · Teacher
“Love the new activity! We had greater success than the rubber band cars!”
· Nikki · Teacher
“My students were engaged and at the same time they learn and have fun. Thanks!”
· Esther · Teacher
“Students loved the lesson. They came up with great designs for the last question on the worksheet. Two groups used renewable energy/solar power to make their ride spin. When it was time to leave the class, they couldn't believe how fast time went by :) ”
· Laleh · Teacher
“Making the Twist-o-Matic's spin and talking with students to hear their ideas about why and how to improve the experience of the thin band.”
· Brent · Teacher
“Great introduction to my energy unit! They loved the activity!”
· Jessica · Teacher
“My kids really enjoyed this lesson!”
· Elise · Homeschooler
“My students learned a lot from the mystery and challenge. I love how instructions are easy to follow and visual. I also loved the writing prompts to encourage them to apply what they learned to other things. My students' favorite was the burning food and self-powered rides videos.”
· Gloria · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON APRIL 27, 2019. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this lesson, students learn that we use the energy from food to make our bodies move just like cars use the energy from gasoline to move. In the activity, Twist-o-matic Tester, students build paper models of an amusement park ride called the Twist-o-Matic. The ride stores energy in rubber bands and spins around when the energy is released. Students compare the speed of the spins when they use a thin rubber band versus a thick rubber band.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Twist-O-Matic printout
Students working alone will need 2 copies of this template. 		2 per pair
Twist-O-Matic Challenges worksheet 1 per student
Twist-O-Matic Challenges Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Crayons
Each student needs two colors that can be easily distinguished from one another, like orange and blue.
Details
2 per student
Hardcover Books
Books must be heavy enough to keep a ruler hanging halfway off a table.
Details
2 books per pair
Rulers
2 rulers per pair
Scissors
1 pair per student
Rubber Bands (#16)
Any rubber band that is 1/16" wide.
Details
1 band per pair
Rubber Bands (#62)
Any rubber band that is 1/4" wide.
Details
1 band per pair
Small Binder Clips (3/4")
4 clips per pair
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own, but they will need to make two models so that they can compare and contrast what happens when using the thin versus thick rubber band.

Prepare the Classroom Space

Student pairs will need to set up two Twist-O-Matic models next to each other for easier comparison between the thin and thick rubber bands. Each model takes up the space of about one student desk, so it is easiest if student pairs are sitting next to one another.

Exploration

16 mins

Hands-On Activity

40 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Unit Readings

Unit Readings

The First Airplane Engine

In this reading, students learn how a rubber band-powered toy airplane helped inspire other early flying machines.


What Goes Up Must Come Down

In this reading, students learn how different types of energy occur during a roller coaster ride.


Rube Goldberg, The Engineer

In this reading, students learn what a Rube Goldberg machine is.

Activity

Activity

Energy Scavenger Hunt: Students look at a drawing of a town and search for all the places where they see stored energy being released. Activity

Rubber Band Race Cars: Challenge your students with an engineering activity where they build cars that move using energy from a twisted rubber band!

ELA Extension

ELA Extension

Energize student writing with prompts .

Video

Video

An Italian restaurant owner built a people-powered amusement park. It only contains rides that are powered by people. To ride these rides, people have to put energy in by pedaling, pushing, or climbing. Take a quick tour and watch people use their own energy to make a loop-de-loop! (1:38)

Transcripts

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Credits
 
Energy Lesson 1: How is your body similar to a car?

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