4-ESS3-1
Start with the Energy Around Us Hands-On: students spot energy changing form all around the classroom.
Kansas – Grade 4 Science Quick-Start Guide
Summary
Fourth grade is where Kansas students first dig into energy: where it comes from, how it changes form, and what it takes to power everyday life. This guide matches Switch Classroom lessons to the two energy units in KSDE’s elementary scope and sequence: Hazards and Renewable Resources, and Energy Conversions and Collisions. Most lessons run in a single class period, and everything is free and editable.
Resources
Introduction to Solar
4-ESS3-1, 4-PS3-2
The Active and Passive Solar Lab lets students capture sunlight in two ways and compare what they capture. Works indoors with a lamp.
Introduction to Wind
4-ESS3-1, 4-PS3-4
Students design, build, and test their own windmill blades.
Thermal Transfer Investigative Lab
4-PS3-4
Build a container that keeps something hot or cold, then test it against the clock.
St. Patrick's Day Engineering Challenge
4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4
A seasonal build challenge that runs the full define-test-improve cycle with classroom materials.
Introduction to Energy Choices
4-ESS3-1
Power Card Priorities gets fourth graders to rank and defend what matters most about where energy comes from.