• Overview
  • A Unifying Concept
  • Ask Gross Energy Questions
  • Cartoons & Coloring Books
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  • IPT
  • Knowledge Trees
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  • Teachers Lesson Plans
  • Knowledge Trees

  • Mind Mapping
  • Physical Fuel Cycle
  • Models in Science
  • Exciting Events in Science
  • Great Ideas in Science
  • Watersheds

  • Mind Mapping

    Here are six "Mind Maps of Energy Knowledge", one for each level of knowledge development. These represent what a student should know at a particular level of their development.
    Hint: Some of the keywords inside these files are hot. Double-click on links inside these maps.

  • K-2
  • Primary
  • Elementary
  • Middle
  • Secondary
  • Energy as A Unifying Concept
  • These trees are organized for a visual presentation. Think of brainstorming on "energy" for a specific developmental level, with ideas being on stickums that have been organized logically. The files (with their .mmp suffixes) need a free viewer.


    Physical Fuel Cycle

    Everywhere in the world fuel is consumed. The physical flow of fuel is the same everywhere.
    Note: this table is almost readable, but is available in a larger format that can be printed on 19"x25" printers.

    Models in Science

    Most children like to play with models, including model cars, tinker toys, model houses, and so on. Likewise, most scientists interact with models. However, their model interaction is out of necessity (and maybe a bit of their childhood left in them!), as the forging of new science is frequently dependent on the development of models. When you think about it, it is easy to understand the importance of models in science. Many times the objects of a scientist’s attention are too small to be observed directly, or they may be inaccessible for direct visual study, as would be the case for the center of the Earth or the surface of a distant galactic object. Other topics of study, such as gravity, magnetism, or energy, can be studied through their effects on matter. But gravity, magnetism, and energy cannot be seen directly, so they too are modeled. You may think of additional reasons why it would be necessary for scientists to develop models as they probe the secrets of nature.


    What are Models in Science? and Why is scientific modeling important? (a 5 page PDF)

  • An example: The Sun and Solar Wind: A Search for the Beginning
  • (a 5 page PDF)

    Note: These files are mirrored from NASA @ http://www.genesismission.org/educate/ .

    Interested in expanding this open source code? or sharing something? Contact the Kids Zone IPT.

    Date last updated: November 21, 2005