C

We introduced the concept of potential and kinetic energy to the students before they continued to build their cars. We explained potential energy as stored energy of an object that is not in motion, which increases the higher the object is from the ground. We then explained kinetic energy as energy of an object in motion. We then gave the students a worksheet in which they circled whether a car at a certain point on a ramp has potential, kinetic, or both.

 The students seem to understand the basic gist of the concept but some did have trouble completing the worksheet. Also, some students were probably not paying attention to the worksheet or our explanation because they were too excited about finishing their cars. The car building went successfully. We asked that the cars survive a fall from the ankle and be able to run across the entire ramp and we challenged those who finished early to make their cars run even farther by adding more weight. Most of the cars were able to pass both tests and run far from the ramp. In the end, we had a short discussion with the kids to talk about what worked and didn’t work in creating the cars.