Energy Inquiries - Black holes

 For our energy inquiries, Miro G and I decided to study the energy around black holes. As well as answering five questions we had to create a model to show it. For our model, we made a 'black hole' and drew something before attaching them to strings. There's a hole in the side of our model which you can stick your hand in to 'suck' the objects in the 'black hole'.

I enjoyed getting to make the model because I got to do the drawings and I love drawing. I found it challenging to pick five questions because we couldn't work out the fifth one. To be BTB (Better Than Before) we could have repainted the model so it looks nicer.

How Tokelau gets their energy

 For T-shaped literacy, we had to make a DLO (Digital Learning Object) explaining how Tokelau made their energy. Before making the DLO we had to read three articles (One Two Three). I enjoyed reading the articles because they were very informative and I learned things I hadn't known before. I found it challenging to explain why the Tokelauan council decided to change to solar energy. To be BTB (Better Than Before) I could add more colour. (Miro's idea)

Solar Energy Ideas For Paroa School

 For our T-shaped literacy, we had to create a model of a part in our school and then add ways we could use solar energy to improve our chosen area. Miro H and I chose the pool/changing room area. Our ideas were black paint, solar panels, and solar tubes. Creating our model was hard but we both agree it looks great! I enjoyed getting to make the model. I found it challenging to work out what the price would be. To be BTB (Better Than Before) we could make the video longer and add more reasons why we should get solar panels/tubes.

Solar Energy

 At school, we had to brainstorm how the wind and sun affect us in our daily lives. I had a lot less time than other students because I had to go to a bus monitor meeting. After we had done that we had to watch a short video that was in Maori. The video was about Tawhirimatea (Maori god of wind) and what he did with the wind. I enjoyed getting the write my ideas down because I had a lot of ideas. I found it challenging to write about the sun because I had fewer ideas for that half. To be BTB (Better Than Before) I could have added some more ideas like wind helps with sailing, birds, and destroys umbrellas.

LM - Energy Mobile

 For T-shaped literacy, we had to make a mobile showing the different types of energy. I didn't do all the types but I did potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, solar, wind, and light. I'm happy with the end result as it looks interesting, all the pieces are different heights, the pieces spin slowly, and that it's balanced. I enjoyed getting to draw the pictures (Using kleki.com) especially the flame. I found it challenging to think of colours to use for the words. To be BTB (Better Than Before) I could add more types of energy like chemical or hydro.

Photo's of the mobile. Sorry, they're bad quality, I had trouble holding my Chromebook up.

Energy - Potential VS Kinetic

 For T-shaped literacy, we had to watch a video explaining the difference between potential and kinetic energy. It included rollercoaster models, bow and arrows, pogo sticks, and microphones. I enjoyed getting to watch the video because it taught me a lot. I found it challenging to describe the variables for kinetic energy. To be BTB (Better Than Before) I could go into more detail for the first question- What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?

What is the difference between kinetic and potential energy?

Potential energy is energy that will potentially be used, and kinetic energy is energy of motion.

What variable(s) determine the amount of kinetic energy?

The more potential energy there is, the more kinetic energy there will be. The faster an object is moving, the more kinetic energy there will be.

What variable(s) determine the amount of potential energy?

The higher the object is, the more potential energy it gains because it has further to go down. If you were to drop an egg from one meter it would break because it had a lot of potential energy that was turned into kinetic energy. But if you dropped an egg from 3 meters it would be absolutely pulverised because there was more potential energy stored, meaning that when it fell it was faster because the potential energy was turned into kinetic energy.

Explain how energy is transformed in a spring

When the spring is pressed together it holds potential energy. When the ends are released the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, making the spring bounce.