Forms of Energy Teaching Resources
Explore forms of energy in your science classes with experiments, activities and more resources for primary teachers!
From lesson plans on electricity to worksheets about thermal energy, this collection is packed with Australian science curriculum-aligned printables and digital resources created by teachers for teachers like you. You'll save time on your lesson plans with easily editable resources, plus you'll be able to meet your students' needs with differentiated options.
Best of all? Every single resource has been carefully reviewed by the science teachers on the Teach Starter team to ensure it's ready for your classroom and your students!
Is this your first year covering the different forms of energy in your classroom? Or maybe you are just looking for fresh ideas? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a look at the two main types that these forms can fall into.
What Are the 2 Types of Energy?
Energy can take a variety of forms — from the mechanical energy involved in stretching a rubberband to the motion energy in a gust of wind — but every form of energy can be classified into just two main types. Before we dive into the long list of forms of energy that exist in the universe, it might help to take a look at these types:
- Potential Energy
- Kinetic Energy
Read on to learn how we explain these types to our students!
What Is Potential Energy? A Kid-Friendly Definition and Example
Potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its position or condition.
Let's say you take out a rubberband and stretch it way, way, way out with your hands. Because it is stretched out, the rubberband is full of potential energy that will help it fly farther when it is finally released!
What Is Kinetic Energy?
Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. This type of energy depends on the object's mass and speed.
Let's look at that rubberband example again! It may have potential energy when it is held in a stretched-out position, but once it is released, the rubberband now has kinetic energy as it flies through the air!
What Are Forms of Energy? Examples for Kids
Now that we've covered the two types of energy, let's look at the different forms of energy that fall under each type. We've developed these explanations to help you as you work with students to gain a deeper understanding of how energy affects people and the environment around us!
4 Forms of Potential Energy
- Elastic Energy —This is the energy that can be found when an object is stretched or compressed. Elastic energy can be found in a coiled spring or a stretched rubber band.
- Nuclear Energy — Nuclear energy is a form of energy that originates from the nucleus, or the core, of an atom. This kind of energy is commonly used to generate electricity, but it requires the process of releasing it from the atom.
- Gravitational Energy — Gravitational energy is the energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. For example, if you hold a book high in the air, its height creates the potential for the book to fall. This is its gravitational energy and its potential energy!
- Chemical Energy — This type of energy is stored in atoms and molecules.
5 Forms of Kinetic Energy
- Mechanical Energy — Mechanical energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or position.
- Electrical Energy — This is the energy produced by the flow of electric charges or electrons. The electricity that we use to power our computers and our lights is a form of electrical energy!
- Light Energy — Light energy is the energy that we see as visible light. We can get this energy from natural sources like the sun or human-made sources like the lightbulb.
- Thermal Energy — Also called heat energy, thermal energy is a form that most students have experienced in their lives. It's energy that comes from the heat of an object or system, such as the energy of the sun.
- Sound Energy — This form is the energy produced by vibrations that create sound waves. It's the type of energy involved when we speak or sing, and it's also the energy involved in all the noises produced around us.
- Plus Plan
Light and Shadow - Design an Experiment Worksheet
A worksheet that explores light and shadow and the principles of a fair test.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Line Up the Light!
A science experiment which explores how light travels.
- Plus Plan
Is It Sustainable? Evaluating Sources of Electricity Worksheet
A worksheet for considering whether an energy source is sustainable.
- Plus Plan
Investigating Solar Electricity - Worksheet
A worksheet that helps students discern if solar power is a viable source of electricity.
- Plus Plan
Heat Conductors and Insulators Sorting Worksheet
Explore materials and everyday items as heat conductors or heat insulators during your heat energy unit plan with this cut-and paste worksheet.
- Plus Plan
How Electricity Gets to Our Homes Poster
Display this year 6 science poster in your classroom that shows how electricity reaches and powers homes.
- Plus Plan
Insulators and Conductors Poster Set
Teach your students about the characteristics of insulators and conductors with this set of science posters for the classroom.
- Plus Plan
Forms of Energy & Electricity Vocabulary Worksheets
Review forms of energy and electricity terms with this science vocabulary worksheet pack.
- Plus Plan
Electricity and Circuits Teaching Slides for Year 6
Use our editable teaching slides to break down the fundamentals of electricity and circuits for your students.
- Plus Plan
The Wonders of Circuits – Levelled Comprehension Worksheet Pack
Encourage your students to read and learn about circuits with this levelled worksheet pack.
- Plus Plan
Types of Circuits Interactive Task Cards
Test your students’ knowledge of different types of circuits with this set of 24 interactive task cards.
- Plus Plan
Sources of Heat Teaching Slides
Learn about the different sources of heat with this set of engaging teaching slides.
- Plus Plan
Heat Sources Cut-and-Paste Worksheet
Explore different types of heat sources with your students using this cut-and-paste worksheet.
- Plus Plan
What is Heat? Poster
Explore the concept of heat energy with this classroom poster.
- Plus Plan
Famous Inventors Fact File — Alessandro Volta Comprehension Worksheet
Print an Alessandro Volta fact file worksheet to introduce students to this famous inventor and expand their understanding of electricity!
- Plus Plan
Electric Avenue - Understanding the Non-contact Force of Electrostatics PowerPoint
A teaching presentation introducing the students to the non-contact force of electrostatics.
- Plus Plan
Moving Heat Worksheet
A worksheet to help students understand how heat moves.
- Free Plan
Storm's a Comin' - Worksheet
A worksheet to use when exploring sound in science or music.
- Plus Plan
Colours of the Rainbow Poster
Teach the order of colours in the rainbow with this classroom poster and worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Conductors and Insulators Teaching Slides
Teach your students about insulators and conductors of thermal and electrical energy with this set of teaching slides.
- Plus Plan
Sound Energy Didjeridu Research Task
Delve into learning about the didjeridu, its characteristic sounds, and its significance in First Nations Culture with this read-and-respond activity.
- Plus Plan
Heat Energy Sources Interactive Activity
Help students identify different sources of heat energy with this engaging, interactive activity.
- Plus Plan
Sound Energy Poster Set
Display this set of 5 sound energy posters in your classroom to help students remember key information about this form of energy.
- Plus Plan
Exploring Sound Energy Worksheet Pack
Enhance your students' comprehension of sound energy concepts, whilst catering to a range of learning needs, with this set of 11 worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Sound Energy Project (Rubber Band Musical Instruments)
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students visualise sound using everyday items.
- Plus Plan
Electrical Insulators Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Discover the shockingly interesting world of electrical insulators with our downloadable reading comprehension worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Simple Circuit Diagram
Spark curiosity and illuminate young minds with the wonders of electricity. Download this simple circuit diagram to light up your classroom!
- Plus Plan
Energy and Electricity Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of word wall cards that focus on forms of energy and electricity.
- Plus Plan
Electricity and Circuits Guided Notes for Year 6
Use this set of guided notes when teaching your students about electricity and circuits.
- Plus Plan
Does the Sun Transfer Heat? – Science Experiment
Discover how the sun transfers thermal energy and which objects absorb more heat with this science experiment for kids.
- Plus Plan
Insulators and Conductors Sorting Activity
Distinguish between electrical insulators and conductors with a picture-based sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Shine Bright, Electric Light!
A science experiment that investigates how changes to electrical circuits affects their components.