physical science

Energy: Transfer and Transformation in Systems

Explore how a deeper understanding of energy transfer and transformations allows us to effectively explain phenomena, predict change and identify solutions in natural and designed systems.

Teachers will:

  • Participate in a supported learning community alongside your peers to build content and pedagogical knowledge and skills. (Common to all courses)
  • Experience phenomena driven lessons which model three dimensional NGSS teaching and learning appropriate for students in grades 3*-8. (Common to all courses) 
  • Explore different ways that energy can be transferred and transformed among various forms of energy, such as kinetic and potential energy. 
  • Explore how energy is a powerful crosscutting concept that allows scientists to better understand the behavior of natural and designed systems in order to solve problems. 
  • Learn how to address student misconceptions about energy in order to foster conceptual change in their learnings. 
  • Learn how to engage students in relevant inquiry-based experiences in order to support a deeper conceptual understanding of energy. 

* Energy concepts are not required until 4th grade in NGSS

NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas

PS2: Motion and stability: forces and interactions

  • PS2.B: Types of interactions

PS3: Energy

  • PS3.A: Definitions of energy
  • PS3.B: Conservation of energy and energy transfer
  • PS3.C: Relationship between energy and forces
  • PS3.D: Energy in chemical processes and everyday life

LS1: From molecules to organisms: structures and processes

  • LS1.C: Organization for matter and energy flow in organisms

Questions? Please email us.