Praxis: Popsicle sticks and kinetic and potential energy
By Medicine Hat News on September 8, 2018.
I hope everyone has settled back into their school routine this past week. Many of us are probably in agreement that it was a bit hectic, but we survived! As we start a new week, I am busy preparing for Science Literacy Week that is fast approaching and starting on Sept. 17. We have a number of exciting activities planned in partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library so please be sure to check out their calendar and sign up as soon as possible as space is limited. Here is a sneak peek at what you may see that week. Let’s get started! *Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment. Materials – LOTS of large popsicle sticks – flat surface to work on – science helper Procedure 1. Take two popsicle sticks, and lay them in an “X” shape on flat surface you are working on. 2. Have your science helper keep pressure on the “X.”. DO NOT LET GO! 3. With a new popsicle stick, weave it under the end of the popsicle stick at the BOTTOM of the “X.” You should see that the rest of this new stick will go over top of the popsicle stick on top of the “X.” 4. Repeat step 3 with a new popsicle stick BUT start underneath the second popsicle stick weaving it over the third popsicle stick. 5. Continue to add more and more popsicle sticks as you did in step 4 until your chain is as long as you want. 6. Once you get to the end, let go. 7. What happens? What is going on? I hope you were patient with this experiment; it is a bit tricky to get started. Do not give up. Trust me, it is well worth the extra effort! As you may see, popsicle sticks are great for more than just enjoying those delicious frozen treats on a hot day! You should have had a pretty amazing display of flying popsicle sticks In this experiment you are able to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy. By weaving the popsicle sticks together so tightly, you are building potential energy and tension by bending them. This tension and potential energy is released once you let the popsicle sticks go and further creating a chain reaction of kinetic energy! Educators please do not forget to book your Hands on Learning Kits and Scientists and Engineers in the Classroom for your school as soon as possible! Remember there is no cost to borrow materials from Praxis throughout the school year. Patty Rooks is senior scientific consultant at PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. 20-19
