The Potential to Kinetic Energy STEM Challenge

While matter is the stuff of the universe of which all things are made, energy provides the ability to move or change matter. In other words, energy provides the ability to do work on the stuff of the universe. While energy comes in many different forms, the two fundamental types of energy are potential energy and kinetic energy.

The potential (stored) energy of an object is the energy that the object has due to its position. The kinetic energy of an object is the energy that an object has due to its motion. Any object that is moving contains some kinetic energy.

A large round rock on the top of a hill is loaded with gravitational potential energy.  Bent craft sticks waiting be launched are loaded with elastic potential energy.

In this STEM Challenge, your first task it to build a system that is high in stored elastic potential energy. Your second task is to initiate a change so that the stored energy can be converted into kinetic energy is a demonstrable manner.

Key Concepts: matter, energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, energy conversion, motion.