Compare & Contrast Energies Station Lab New TEKS 6.8A

This student-led, modular station lab helps middle school students meet the 2021 TEKS 6.8A standard by comparing and contrasting gravitational, elastic, and chemical potential energies with kinetic energy. Students rotate through a variety of input and output stations that combine hands-on demonstrations, digital tools, and writing tasks to create a personalized and engaging learning experience. Teachers act as facilitators, supporting inquiry and independence rather than directing every step.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine total stations: eight core activities plus a bonus challenge station for enrichment

• Differentiated to provide remediation for students who need extra support and extension for advanced learners

• Includes station signage, readings, task cards, and resources for both independent and small-group work

• The Explore It! station may require a few simple materials commonly available in most science classrooms

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

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

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension questions

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

• Research It! – Facts, images, and graphs paired with guided lab sheet questions

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

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

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

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

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context exercises to measure mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Enrichment tasks such as crosswords, puzzles, games, and mini-projects for advanced learners or early finishers

Flexible Implementation

This lab is fully adaptable for in-class or virtual learning. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making it easy to implement in blended or remote classrooms.

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.