Journal article
Beyond Labeling Forms: Making Energy Useful by Tracking Transfers Between Systems
Science scope (Washington, D.C.), Vol.49(5), pp.26-33
09/01/2026
DOI: 10.1080/08872376.2026.2714354
Abstract
Middle school energy instruction often prioritizes students’ ability to identify various forms of energy and their transformations. Even when they do this successfully, students frequently have difficulty using energy ideas to gain insight into how phenomena occur. In this article, we present an approach to teaching energy that dispenses with labeling forms in favor of tracking energy transfers between systems. We illustrate how this approach can lead to a deeper understanding of energy and help students perceive the usefulness of the energy concept for interpreting the behavior of natural phenomena and designed devices.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Beyond Labeling Forms: Making Energy Useful by Tracking Transfers Between Systems
- Creators
- Jeffrey NordineDavid tusJoseph KrajcikKnut Neumann
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Science scope (Washington, D.C.), Vol.49(5), pp.26-33
- DOI
- 10.1080/08872376.2026.2714354
- ISSN
- 0887-2376
- eISSN
- 1943-4901
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2026
- Academic Unit
- Teaching and Learning
- Record Identifier
- 9985224439802771
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