Energy Transformations in Systems Station Lab - New TEKS 6.8B

This student-led, modular station lab supports the 2021 TEKS 6.8B standard by helping middle school students describe how energy is conserved through transfers and transformations in systems such as electrical circuits, food webs, amusement park rides, and photosynthesis. With differentiated, multimodal activities, students engage in hands-on, digital, and written tasks while taking ownership of their learning. Teachers guide the process as facilitators, making it an ideal low-prep solution for both in-class and virtual learning.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine total stations: eight core learning activities plus one challenge station for enrichment or early finishers

• Differentiated to support diverse learning needs—scaffolded resources for remediation and extensions for advanced students

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources for smooth implementation

• The Explore It! station may require a few basic classroom materials you likely already have on hand

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version includes interactive features in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension questions

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with vocabulary and reading comprehension tasks

• Research It! – Guided online activity using facts, images, and graphs with structured lab sheet questions

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting and categorization activities with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching models of energy transformations to reinforce understanding

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete-sentence responses

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context activities to demonstrate mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Extension activities such as crosswords, games, and mini-projects for enrichment or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This resource is designed for both in-person and virtual classrooms. Files are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them easy to integrate into blended or online instruction.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.