Big Idea 11: Energy Transfer and Transformations

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A. Waves involve a transfer of energy without a transfer of matter.

B. Water and sound waves transfer energy through a material.

C. Light waves can travel through a vacuum and through matter.

Clarification for grades 5-8: The target understanding for Big Idea 11: Energy Transfer and Transformations, is the Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy is conserved as it transfers from one object to another and from one form to another.

General Information
Number: SC.3.P.11
Title: Energy Transfer and Transformations
Type: Big Idea
Subject: Science
Grade: 3
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SC.3.P.11.In.1
Identify that objects that give off light often give off heat.
SC.3.P.11.In.2
Observe and identify that heat is produced when objects are rubbed together.

Supported

SC.3.P.11.Su.1
Recognize objects that give off both heat and light, such as a light bulb.
SC.3.P.11.Su.2
Observe and recognize that rubbing objects together causes heat.

Participatory

SC.3.P.11.Pa.1
Recognize sources of light.
SC.3.P.11.Pa.2
Recognize sources of heat.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

Patriotic Pyrotechnics:

Students will learn about the history of using fireworks in Independence Day celebrations, recognizing that exploding fireworks are a source of both light and heat. They will explore primary and secondary sources to explain how our current firework celebrations reflect John Adams’ vision of "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other," as well as the inherent risks of fireworks in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

DOLO - Dinosaurs Only Live Once?:

During this activity, students will create an incubator to save the last dinosaur eggs. Students will use their knowledge of energy to develop a strategy and choose which materials would be best for their dinosaur egg incubator.

Type: Lesson Plan

Lizard Lights:

Students will use a real-world problem solving situation to determine the best types of light bulbs to maintain an appropriate environment for a captive lizard. 

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

When Things Start Heating Up:

This lesson is intended to give students a general idea of how heat is produced from human-based activities and mechanical and electrical machines. The lesson provides activities for student understanding as to how and why heat is produced from things that give off light, from machines, or when one thing is rubbed against another.

Type: Lesson Plan

Rubbing Objects Together:

Students demonstrate that heat is produced when objects are rubbed against one another by conducting several simple investigations.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Heating Things Up With Friction!:

Explore how friction from rubbing objects produces heat with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Things that Glow May Warm Your Toes:

Come a long on this exploration of objects that give off light and heat, in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Unit/Lesson Sequence

Don't Marry the Mole! (Sun as an Energy Source):

Students conduct a series of activities to better understand solar energy and the broader concept of the sun as an energy source. Some of the activities include: observing how heat energy blows up a balloon, launching a solar air balloon, and making a solar oven.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Virtual Manipulative

Friction:

This is a great simulation to show how friction causes materials to heat up and melt. A "virtual" thermometer is used to show the increase in temperature as books are rubbed against each other.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Heating Things Up With Friction!:

Explore how friction from rubbing objects produces heat with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Things that Glow May Warm Your Toes:

Come a long on this exploration of objects that give off light and heat, in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Unit/Lesson Sequence

Don't Marry the Mole! (Sun as an Energy Source):

Students conduct a series of activities to better understand solar energy and the broader concept of the sun as an energy source. Some of the activities include: observing how heat energy blows up a balloon, launching a solar air balloon, and making a solar oven.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence