Energy Transformations Project

⭐ Get this energy transformations project at a HUGE discount in our Energy Unit! ⭐

Challenge students to create a simple TOY based on ENERGY TRANSFORMATIONS. Students use free or cheap supplies for their projects, but the results are incredible!

How It Works:

1. Students get a letter from a toy company asking them to design a toy that demonstrates an energy transformation. The letter gives them clear and specific parameters and includes a student-friendly rubric.
2. The students present their toys to the “board of directors” (your class!). As the class watch the presentations, they record the energy transformation in each toy.
3. Grade the toys based on the easy-to-use rubric.

Why You’ll LOVE this Project:

• It is easy to DIFFERENTIATE. Students can make a toy as simple as a drum to as complicated as their imagination can take them!
• NO COST! No special supplies are required. Students can use old toy parts or recycled/upcycled materials like plastic containers or boxes.
• Kids say it is the FUNNEST PROJECT they’ve done all year!

What’s Included:

• Clear directions describing the challenge and specific parameters
• Easy-to-follow, student-friendly rubric
• Graphic organizer for students to complete as their peers present projects
• Teacher hints and tips
• Pictures of past projects for reference

Easy and Cheap Materials:

Students can use whatever they can get their hands on to make their toys. For an idea of how simple the materials can be, just look at some past projects made from upcycled supplies:

• musical instrument (toilet paper roll, elastics)
• propeller boat (water bottle, elastics, plastic spoons)
• ping pong launcher (balloon, plastic cup)

Keeping the focus on upcycled materials helps keep ALL students involved, regardless of their ability to buy supplies at a store.

Teacher Notes:

• NGSS Standards: MS-PS3-2 and MS-PS3-5
• NGSS Science & Engineering Practice: Developing and using models
• Please note: This energy transformations project is NOT editable.
• You can also shop our TPT store!

Related Standards:

• NGSS MS-PS3-2: Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.
• NGSS MS-PS3-5: Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.