This simulation encourages the exploration of how heating and cooling iron, brick, and water adds or removes energy, and how energy is transferred between objects. (This simulation requires Java; download or click the "play" button and open the file to run.)

The Concord Consortium's interactive lab browser has a number of interactive visual simulations.  This specific link shows the differences in particle movement as heat energy is added to a specific substance. 

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines. 

This resources shares a series of hand-on heat transfer projects along with some information to support the science behind the experiments. STEAM powered family is a website created and maintained by a homeschooling mom who shares STEAM-focused integrated learning experiences. 

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines. 

Discover the relationship between vibration and sound in this video from Design Squad Nation.

Teach students about the carbon cycle and how human energy use impacts this cycle. Fossil fuels – petroleum, coal, natural gas – make up the largest share of energy production and consumption in the U.S. They’re also part of the carbon cycle. Use the carbon cycle game in this lesson to model the flow of carbon and explain how fossil fuels fit into the cycle. The video in the lesson will help teachers connect the concepts to everyday life. Advanced students will be primed to discuss the associated public policy issues. Shared by PBS Learning Media.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines; 6:4 Interdependence; 7:2 Energy and Matter; and 8:4 Human Impact on the Environment and Health: Needs and Tradeoffs.

This activity includes a series of lessons on turbine design projects. They can be used to help students design a project that tests which turbine blade design is the best for lifting.  The work includes connections to various careers related to design and engineering.  There is also a game to help students understand how to weight the economic and environmental pros and cons of alternative energy sources.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines ; 7:1 Geology and 8:2 Forces and Motion on Earth.

Students use real-world data to calculate the potential for solar and wind energy generation at their school location. After examining maps and analyzing data from the online Renewable Energy Living Lab, they write recommendations as to the optimal form of renewable energy the school should pursue. Shared by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines; 8:4  Human Impact on the Environment and Health: Needs and Tradeoffs.

This video describes simple machines in a very clear and systematic way.  Students who are not familiar or who need to review the terms and the functions of each of the simple machines may find this video useful. Shared by PBS Learning Media.

Scope and Sequence connection: 3:3 Simple Machines; 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines.

This video shows a 34-step Rube Goldberg contraption that fills a cup with milk.  It can be used in a unit launch activity for students to get interested in building their contraption. Shared by PBS.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines. 

A series of Rube Goldberg interactives compiled by a science teacher. 

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines.

Rube Goldberg designed machines that made simple tasks much more complicated. Students can use this interactive to help complete the machine.  Shared by PBS Kids. Please note this game requires Flash.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines. 

The goal of this game is to get the metal ball in the bucket by building a path using the objects available. Please note this game requires Flash. Shared by engineering.com.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines.

Students can catch the burglar by manipulating the Rube Goldberg machine on this interactive by FossWeb.

Scope and Sequence connection: 6:1 Energy and Simple Machines.  

Please note this interactive requires Flash.