Module 3: Energy for Thrills (overview)

This resource gives KS3 physics learners the opportunity to learn or further develop their understanding of energy changes, generation, and storage in various scenarios. The activities include designing and manufacturing structures and analysing data.

• A series of activities are based on the challenge of designing a rollercoaster ride and applying ideas about gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and efficiency. Use of equations and calculating efficiencies extend learning in a mathematical context.
• Similarly, ideas about conduction, convection, and radiation are applied in an activity centred upon designing and building a model mountain hut with effective insulation in a challenging location.
• Finally, electricity supply and storage solutions using petrol generators versus solar cell sources are considered in a data analysis based task, and the construction of a simple wind turbine that explores how wind power can be harnessed as an energy source.

Some of these teaching resources are based around the use of an online digital resource. This is designed to run on a wide range of platforms and is also accessible from any location, so students can use it at home as well as at school.