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Describe how moving water and air are sources of energy and can be used to move things.
Standard #: SC.4.P.10.4
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 4
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Big Idea: Forms of Energy -

A. Energy is involved in all physical processes and is a unifying concept in many areas of science.

B. Energy exists in many forms and has the ability to do work or cause a change.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
Related Courses
Related Access Points
  • SC.4.P.10.In.4 # Identify machines that use energy from moving water or air, including a windmill and a waterwheel.
  • SC.4.P.10.Su.4 # Identify objects that use energy from moving air, such as a pinwheel or sailboat.
  • SC.4.P.10.Pa.3 # Recognize that moving air can move objects.
Related Resources
Lesson Plans
  • Drifting Science # Students will explore global ocean surface currents by completing an investigation using real-world ocean drifter data. Students will analyze maps of ocean drifters to make observations about why they appear in some places more than others. Using the resources provided, they will then select a specific ocean drifter from an interactive map and predict where it may drift to, what currents it might be carried by, and where it might end up in a specific amount of time.
  • "Life's a Breeze!" # In this Engineering Design Challenge, students must design a vessel that will carry passengers safely and quickly across a body of water by harnessing the power of the wind. Students will be given the opportunity to test and improve their vessels as they apply various math and science skills.
  • Set Sail with STEM: Exploring Wind and Water Movement as Energy with Sailboats # Come sail away with this STEM activity! Students will use hands-on inquiry to find out more about wind and its effect on sails. Through trial and error and based on data collected, students will design, build, and race their own vessel or "sailboat" across the boundless waters of a kiddie pool. Students should gain a better understanding of how moving water and air are sources of energy and can propel objects forward at varying rates of speed.
  • Wind at Work: Wind as a Renewable Resource # This is an Engineering Design Project that builds upon the understanding of wind as a natural resource. It is applying content knowledge and is not intended as an initial introduction to the benchmarks.
  • Wind Sculptures - An Engineering Design Challenge # This Engineering Design Challenge is intended to help students apply the concept of how moving air is a source of energy and can be used to move things. It is not intended as an initial introduction to this benchmark.
  • Designing Windmills # In this lesson, students engage in an engineering design contest to design and create a windmill that will lift a load.
  • To Flow or Blow: Which One is Best for Here? # In this lesson, 4th grade students will use web-based articles and maps to look at current and potential air (wind) and water (hydro)power plants for their, or a teacher-given, local area. Students will present an argument for which type of renewable energy plant they believe would be best citing evidence from text(s) and/or map(s). Students may work and/or write in groups or individually. Access points are included for this lesson.
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