Working as a team, students learn about two energy forms, potential
and kinetic energy, using the Lego Mindstorm kit. Potential energy is
a form of stored energy that can be converted to kinetic once the
object or system is set in motion. For example, when a roller coaster
is at the top of the hill, the system has in within it potential energy. As
the coaster’s brake is let go, it will travel down the slope, all the while
converting the stored potential energy to motion, known as kinetic
energy. Equations can be used to relate the two forms of energy and
this activity will explore the equations along with hands on Lego
activity.