Energy 5E Balloon Sled Inquiry and Design Challenge | 5th Grade STEM Innovators

Students kick off the unit by observing an inflated balloon zoom across the room as they explore what energy looks like in action. They investigate everyday objects, build their own definition of energy, and learn the main forms through quick examples. Two mini‑labs, for friction and surface area, give them the science background they need before tackling the engineering challenge: designing and testing a balloon‑powered sled that travels at least 2 feet. The unit includes demos, readings, videos, reflection questions, peer feedback, and a final exit ticket to assess learning from start to finish.

This lesson sequence is intended to guide students in upper elementary through a 5E STEM unit targeting Potential and Kinetic Energy. No prior knowledge of energy is needed.

This challenge follows the 5E Science Learning Model. Click to learn more: NGSS, Edutopia, & Vivify STEM

• ENGAGE: Let go of a filled balloon? 

• EXPLORE: Visit stations around the room of various things and  make observations

• EXPLAIN: Connect what is happening at the stations to energy forms and types of energy. Connect energy concepts to motion including friction and drag.

• ELABORATE: Deepen understanding with the Balloon Propelled Sled Engineering Challenge

• EVALUATE: Assess Student Learning with Discussion, Reflections + Exit Ticket  

STEM Innovators Storyline (Adaptable for Grades 3 - 5): Agents, your mission begins now. The world’s top spy agency has recruited the brightest minds for a series of top-secret operations. Your task: design and engineer cutting-edge spy gadgets to crack codes, outsmart villains, and save the day. Succeed, and you’ll rise through the ranks to become an elite STEM Innovator, trusted with the world’s most classified missions.

A Mission to Understand Energy: In this unit, students will learn about common energy. Students will complete mini labs about friction and surface area to fuel their curiosity. They will then design and build their own balloon sled to help their spy make a quick getaway!

At the end of this unit, students will be able to answer the following questions that cover the learning goals:

• Give an example of how we use energy in our daily lives 

• Explain a technology that enables different types of energy

• How did you apply knowledge of energy transfer in your balloon sled? 

• Which materials were the most useful in making your design travel in a straight line? Why? 

• Compare your plan with what happened during testing. How do they compare?

• What was the most challenging part of this design problem? How did you overcome failure? 

• What data did you collect during this design challenge?

Included in this product:

• Aligned to NGSS

• Complete Teacher Guide following the 5E STEM guidelines

• Materials list and activity suggestions

• Editable teaching slides

• Student handouts for each phase of the design process, including science background, STEM career connection, and more!

• Two versions of student badges for completing the mission: pre-colored or a black and white option for students to color themselves to celebrate!

Recommended Supplies:

Engage Materials:

• balloon

Explain Materials:

• Mini Lab Friction:

  • wooden board

  • books

  • wooden block

  • aluminum foil

  • wax paper

  • saran wrap

  • ruler

• Mini Lab Drag:

  • 3 different size balloons

  • string

  • straw

  • 2 chairs

  • ruler

  • tape

  • clothes pin

Explore Materials:

• various things that transfer or transform energy ( ex: toaster, fan, flashlight, etc.)

Elaborate - Balloon Powered Sled Materials:

• latex balloon

• cardboard, plastic bottle, plastic cup

• tape, glue

• paper clips, scissors, rubber bands, clothespin

• straws

• aluminum foil, wax paper, saran wrap