• K-2: 1B/P2. Tools such as thermometers, magnifiers, rulers, or balances often give more information about things than can be obtained by just observing things unaided.
• 3-5: 1B/E2b. One reason for following directions carefully and for keeping records of one's work is to provide information on what might have caused differences in investigations.

• K-2: 4E/P1. The sun warms the land, air, and water.
• 3-5: 4E/E2b. When warmer things are put with cooler ones, heat is transferred from the warmer ones to the cooler ones.
• 3-5: 4E/E2c. A warmer object can warm a cooler one by contact or at a distance.

• 3-5: 4F/E3. Light travels and tends to maintain its direction of motion until it interacts with an object or material. Light can be absorbed, redirected, bounced back, or allowed to pass through.

• 3-5: 8C/E1. Moving air and water can be used to run machines.
• 3-5: 8C/E2. Sunlight is used to run many devices.
• 3-5: 8C/E4. Some people try to reduce the amount of fuels they use in order to conserve resources, reduce pollution, or save money.

• K-2: 11C/P3b. Small changes can sometimes be detected by comparing counts or measurements at different times.
• 3-5: 11C/E2b. Often the best way to tell which kinds of change are happening is to make a table or graph of measurements.

• K-2: 12A/P1. Raise questions about the world and be willing to seek answers to these questions by making careful observations and trying things out.
• 3-5: 12A/E1. Keep clear and accurate records of investigations and observations.
• 3-5: 12A/E2. Offer reasons for claims and consider reasons suggested by others.

• K-2: 12B/P1. Use whole numbers in ordering, counting, identifying, measuring, and describing objects and events.

• K-2: 12C/P3. Make something out of paper, cardboard, cloth, wood, plastic, metal, or existing objects that can actually be used to perform a task.
• K-2: 12C/P4. Measure the length in whole units of objects using rulers and tape measures.
• 3-5: 12C/E3. Keep written or electronic records of information so that the records are understandable weeks or months later.

• K-2: 12D/P3. Interpret pictures, drawings, and videos of real-world objects and events.
• 3-5: 12D/E3. Use numerical data in describing and comparing objects and events.

One of the best resources we've found for building a foundation to understand energy conversion. Kids conduct investigations with live plants, UV detection beads, light sensitive paper, a radiometer, glow toys, and solar balloons. If time permits, finish up with an engineering project to design & build a working solar oven. Completely turn-key. Purchase a pre-assembled kit from NEED for $200 or buy your own materials -- less than $100 will serve a class of 30.

• Physical Sciences K-8 Teaching Energy in the Elementary Grades Unit