Energy in Action
Performance Assessment for Grade 6: Energy in Action
Student Directions:
You are a member of a toy company design team that has been challenged to
design a new motion toy that will excite elementary age children. Your toy
company has a limited budget and you have to use the materials supplied by
your company for your toy. Your toy will be expected to change potential energy
into kinetic energy. You can take an existing model and improve it or design your
own new invention.
You will need to:
1. You will build a toy that changes potential energy into kinetic
energy. It can be your own design or a design that you have adapted.
2. You will change and test at least one design variable for your toy.
You will collect and record data on how that variable affects the toys motion
(materials used, size of parts, shape, etc.)
3. You will demonstrate and defend your toy design and analysis to
the other design teams in your company.
Your presentation will include:
• A demonstration of how your toy works
• A description of your toy’s source of potential energy and how it is
changed to make your toy move
• The materials you used to make your toy and why you selected them
• How you tested your design and a summary of your test results
• The conclusions you drew from your test results and how you used these
results to improve your design
4. Individually, you will research an existing motion toy that changes potential
energy into kinetic energy and write a one-page summary that includes the
following:
• A detailed description of the toy
• An explanation of how the toy changes energy from potential to kinetic
• Background information about the inventor and how the toy was invented
(extra credit opportunity)
Energy in Action Unit Presentation CheckBric (Grade 6):
Student Name ________________________________
Overall Score _______
Teacher Name ________________________________
Presentation of Toy Design
1
2

Includes example of potential energy changing to kinetic energy

Uses simple, inexpensive materials and resources

Represents teams design and/or design improvements
Presentation of test results
1
2

At least one toy variable was tested

Includes clear description of how toy was tested

Includes chart and/or graph of results from tests completed

Include summary of results and conclusions made about design
variable
Quality presentation

Presentation clear and without errors

Presentation appropriate for audience
Individual Research and Report
3
4
Comments
3
4 Comments
1
2
3
4 Comments
1
2
3
4 Comments

Describes an existing motion toy that changes potential energy into
kinetic energy

Explains how the toy changes energy from one form to another

Includes background information on inventor and how toy was
invented (extra credit opportunity)
4 Exemplary
Work at this level is of exceptional quality. It is both thorough
and accurate. It exceeds the standard. It shows a sophisticated
application of knowledge and skills.
3 Proficient
Work at this level meets the standard. It is acceptable work that
demonstrates application of essential knowledge and skills.
Minor errors or omissions do not detract from the overall quality.
2 Developing
Work at this level does not meet the standard. It shows basic,
but inconsistent application of knowledge and skills. Minor
errors or omissions detract from the overall quality. Your work
needs further development.
1 Emerging
Work at this level shows a partial application of knowledge and
skills. It is superficial (lacks depth), fragmented or incomplete
and needs considerable development. Your work contains errors
or omissions.