--- title: Lessons for Energy and Matter | K-8 Grade description: Energy and Matter Disciplinary Core Ideas image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # Energy and Matter Disciplinary Core Ideas [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Structure and Properties of Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-properties-of-matter) - [Energy and Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/energy-and-matter) - [Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems](https://www.knowatom.com/defining-and-delimiting-engineering-problems) - [Developing Possible Solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-possible-solutions) - [Optimizing the Design Solution](https://www.knowatom.com/optimizing-the-design-solution) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) - [Structure and Function](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-function) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Lessons for Energy and Matter Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-01-46-6039-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) ## [Engineering Owl Shelters In the last unit, students observed butterflies moving through their life cycle, explored how butterflies are pollinators, and then designed a hand pollinator. In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of how shelters help animals survive in their environment and then design a prototype burrow-like structure to keep a burrowing owl cool in hot temperatures.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/engineering-owl-shelters) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-02-42-45-5684-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) ## [Energy and Collisions In this unit, students explore matter, forces, and energy. In this lesson, students evaluate the science phenomena of how matter interacts with and is changed by energy, which transfers from one object or system to another. This page is a high-level extract of the components of this lesson.  ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/energy-and-collisions) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-03-19-53-3179-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) ## [Food Webs In this unit, students focus on the biosphere and how living things depend on their environment and one another for survival. In this first lesson of the unit, they explore the science phenomena of the flow of energy through a food web. This page outlines key parts of the lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/food-webs) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-00-33-1835-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) ## [Energy from the Sun In this unit, students are introduced to the interdependence of living things and their environment as they analyze how individual organisms are suited to their particular environment, but all organisms require energy and nutrients to survive.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/energy-from-the-sun) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Forces-and-Levers1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) ## [Forces and Levers In this unit, students use simple machines to explore the relationship between forces, energy, and motion. In the first lesson of the unit, students investigate how levers redirect force to do work. This page showcases key elements of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/forces-and-levers) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-05-21-46-0743-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/current-electricity) ## [Current Electricity In this unit, students continue to explore science phenomena related to energy, focusing on how energy is transferred in circuits and can do work, such as spinning a motor. Students begin with this lesson on exploring the basic phenomena of direct current energy flowing through parts of a simple and series circuit. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/current-electricity) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/current-electricity) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-09-2023-05-21-52-9550-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-electric-cars) ## [Engineering Electric Cars In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of how energy is transferred in a circuit to do work. In this lesson, students figure out the phenomena affecting the left and right movement of an electric car. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-electric-cars) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/engineering-electric-cars) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Screenshot%20(24).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/thermal-energy-and-particle-motion) ## [Thermal Energy and Particle Motion In this unit, students are introduced to science and engineering by exploring several phenomena that relate to cooking. Students begin with an investigation into the structure of matter and how energy determines state of matter. This page is a high level look at key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/thermal-energy-and-particle-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/thermal-energy-and-particle-motion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(28).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chemical-reactions) ## [Chemical Reactions In this unit, students focus on interactions between matter and energy. In this lesson, students figure out the endothermic and exothermic phenomenon of chemical hot and cold packs to analyze matter and energy in different kinds of chemical reactions. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chemical-reactions) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/chemical-reactions) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(28).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/engineering-chemical-cold-pack-reactions) ## [Engineering Chemical Cold Pack Reactions In this unit, students explore several phenomena that relate to cooking. In this lesson, students evaluate chemical reactions, and use that knowledge to engineer a prototype that transfers energy by chemical processes. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/engineering-chemical-cold-pack-reactions) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/engineering-chemical-cold-pack-reactions) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/gravity-motion-single.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/energy-transformation) ## [Energy Transformation In this unit, students focus on the science phenomena of the relationship between gravity and motion, tracing how gravitational potential energy transforms to kinetic energy in different energy systems. In this lesson, they investigate the relationship between the drop height of a bouncy ball and its rebound height. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/energy-transformation) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/energy-transformation) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(32).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-rock-cycle) ## [The Rock Cycle In this unit, students use what they know about the relationship between energy and matter to investigate phenomena of how energy powers the cycling of Earth materials. They begin with this lesson on modeling the Earth processes that form different kinds of rock. This page provides an overview of this lesson.  ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-rock-cycle) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/the-rock-cycle) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(32).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/mass-and-heat-transfer) ## [Mass and Heat Transfer In this unit, students explore phenomena of natural processes that cause Earth’s surface to change over time, analyzing how energy causes Earth’s matter to transform and cycle from one form to another. In this lesson, students investigate how Earth materials are continually being reshaped and reformed by multiple processes that are powered by energy from Earth’s hot interior and the sun. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/mass-and-heat-transfer) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/mass-and-heat-transfer) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Grade/Screenshot%20(32).png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/renewable-energy) ## [Renewable Energy In this unit, students explore the natural processes that cause Earth’s surface to change over time, analyzing how energy causes Earth’s matter to transform and cycle from one form to another. In this lesson, they trace phenomena of how energy is transferred in chemical reactions, which allows scientists to produce ethanol to use as an alternative energy source. This page showcases each component of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/renewable-energy) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/7th-grade-science/renewable-energy) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-09-2023-06-17-28-2489-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/mass-and-motion) ## [Mass and Motion In this unit, students encounter phenomena related to matter and energy as they learn about how engineers design materials with specific properties to address a wide range of societal needs.This page provides an overview of one lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/mass-and-motion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/mass-and-motion) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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