4.2.4: Design a device that converts energy from one form to another. Define…
Design a device that converts energy from one form to another. Define the problem, identify criteria and constraints, develop possible solutions using models, analyze data from testing solutions, and propose modifications for optimizing a solution.
The Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards outcome 4.2.4 (Physical Sciences) for Grade 4 says: “Design a device that converts energy from one form to another. Define the problem, identify criteria and constraints, develop possible solutions using models, analyze data from testing solutions, and propose modifications for optimizing a solution.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards.
Simple Circuits: Make It Light Up Grade 4
Light a bulb with one wire, hunt for materials that let electricity through, find out why string lights all go dark at once, and build a burglar alarm. Four hands-on lessons on closed loops, safe and cheap.
- Can you build a burglar alarm? 60–75 min
Teams design and build a homemade switch from a clothes peg or foil and cardboard that closes a circuit when a door or box lid opens, sounding a buzzer or lighting an LED. They test it, improve it and use evidence to argue their alarm is the most reliable.
Printable practice for 4.2.4
These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to 4.2.4 is partial.
- Simple Circuits: Make It Light Up workbook included with the unit
1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Power Up: Where Electricity Comes From workbook included with the unit
3 practice pages, 3 readings, 1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.
Compared with NGSS: 4-PS3-4 (partial).
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