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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?
DISCUSS:
Where does this get its energy from?
DISCUSS:
The more you stretch a rubber band, the faster an object goes. Why?
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.
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Details
2 per student
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Hardcover Books
Books must be heavy enough to keep a ruler hanging halfway off a table.
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Details
2 books per pair
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Rulers
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2 rulers per pair |
Scissors
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1 pair per student |
Rubber Bands (#16)
Any rubber band that is 1/16" wide.
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Details
1 band per pair
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Rubber Bands (#62)
Any rubber band that is 1/4" wide.
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Details
1 band per pair
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Small Binder Clips (3/4")
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4 clips per pair |
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.
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.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
In this reading, students learn how a rubber band-powered toy airplane helped inspire other early flying machines.
In this reading, students learn how different types of energy occur during a roller coaster ride.
In this reading, students learn what a Rube Goldberg machine is.
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!
Energize student writing with prompts .
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)
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