Exploring Potential/Kinetic Energy With Marshmallow Shooters Lab!

This class will cover potential and kinetic energy using interactive slides, kinesthetic learning (moving our bodies), and making marshmallow shooters! I also have this class available to younger learners ages 6-9 in a separate listing. This one moves much faster and is a one-day class. The class for younger learners moves slower and is a multi-day class. Much of the material is the same. You should choose the level based on your child's abilities, not necessarily his or her age. 

We will discuss examples from our everyday lives and even demonstrate with our bodies or items around us. We will also make marshmallow shooters toward the end of the class and have a contest to see who can shoot their marshmallows the furthest!

During class, learners will log into "nearpod" (I will provide link and code in class) so that they can interact with the slides. They will have an opportunity to click on responses, draw pictures, upload images to show the class, etc. I will check in with each learner a few times per class to make sure they have a chance to interact verbally and to check for understanding of the concepts. I like to use humor and participation to keep kids engaged! 

Before we start the "lab" portion of the lesson (marshmallow shooters) I will have learners shut off their video feed for 30 seconds so that they can surprise us with their crazy scientist costumes! This can be anything from swimming goggles, a ball cap and crazy hair, to a full crazy scientist costume (science goggles, a wig, a white lab coat, gloves). There are no requirements except to have fun being crazy scientists!

After we dress as crazy scientists it will be time to start the lab (pdf lab report template will be provided)! We will have a distance contest at the end, and if there is time we will make targets to hang on the wall. See list of required materials or the intro video for this class for more info.