Energy Skate Park - Science Interactives for Homeschooling (Gr. 8-12)

Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even space!

Main Topics
Energy, Conservation, , Kinetic energy, Potential energy, Friction

Related Topics
Conservation of Energy, Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Friction, Work, Motion, Gravity, Gravitational Force

Sample Learning Goals
Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic and gravitational potential energy.

Teaching IdeasTips for Teachers
The teacher's guide contains tips for teachers created by the PhET team (PDF).

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PhET Interactive Simulations is an ongoing effort to provide an extensive suite of simulations to improve the way that physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math are taught and learned. The simulations are interactive tools that enable students to make connections between real life phenomena and the underlying science which explains such phenomena. Our team of scientists, software engineers and science educators use a research-based approach – incorporating findings from prior research and our own testing – to create simulations that support student engagement with and understanding of scientific concepts.

In order to help students visually comprehend thse concepts, PhET simulations animate what is invisible to the eye through the use of graphics and intuitive controls such as click-and-drag manipulation, sliders and radio buttons. In order to further encourage quantitative exploration, the simulations also offer measurement instruments including rulers, stop-watchs, voltmeters and thermometers. As the user manipulates these interactive tools, responses are immediately animated thus effectively illustrating cause-and-effects relationships as well as multiple linked representations (motion of the objects, graphs, number readouts, etc…).

To ensure eduational effectiveness and usability, all of the simulations are extensively tested and evaluated. These tests include student interviews in addition to actual utilization of the simulations in a variety of settings, including lectures, group work, homework and lab work. Our rating system indicates what level of testing has been completed on each simulation.