Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Helium Balloon Race

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students determine the force of a helium balloon that allows it to rise a specific distance.  In this helium lesson students calculate the amount of paper needed to construct a weight and determine the density of a piece of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friction

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners review what force. In this science lesson, students determine which surfaces are rough and which are smooth by observing how an object moves on each surface.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Float Your Boat

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate buoyancy, displacement and density.  In this flotation lesson plan students study the Archimedes' Principle, analyze data and draw conclusions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Positioning the fulcrum in class one levers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the relationship between force and the distance of the load from the fulcrum.  In this experimental lesson students get into groups and make a lever and record the force that is needed to move it, they then try this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fire, Rock and Water Volcanoes!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a demonstration that helps them visualize mudflows and how they move.  In this exploratory lesson students simulate a mudflow and create an avalanche.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Describing the Motion of a Battery Powered Cars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore distance a toy car travels by changing the amount of batteries used to power the toy car.  In this force and motion lesson, students calculate the average speed of a car while investigating the power from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics on the Playground

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars investigate friction on a playground slide. In this force and energy lesson, students will predict, plan, and implement a scientific investigation to the problem; What materials will allow me to slide the fastest down a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Work?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the connection between work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and heat. In this physics lesson, students use pulleys to produce mechanical advantages and incline planes to demonstrate energy conversion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Move It!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, 3rd graders observe simple machines at work in a video, then experiment with creating their own simple machines to move objects.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pepper Scatter

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover the forces that affect the surface tension of water. In this surface tension lesson plan, students use pepper, soap, and liquid detergent to discover the forces.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Motion, Force, and Gravity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners write a research paper about human space travel. In this space travel lesson, students watch a video and research issues related to space travel. They use their research to write a paper about whether human space travel should...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air...What Gives?

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students investigate the properties of air by capturing it, squeezing it, and feeling its weight. In this forces instructional activity, students capture bags of air and examine its properties. The weight and pressure of air is emphasized.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Forces In Action

For Students 4th - 5th
In this forces in action activity, students look at the pictures and identify the forces in action, then draw arrows to show the forces, and draw pictures of forces in action.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

KS2 Forces and Motion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in a variety of activities of scientific principles.  In this science instructional activity, students experiment with spaghetti and marshmallows to build a strong structure, balance nails on a nail, and use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friction

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore the force of friction between materials. In this physics lesson, students participate in an experiment using various materials such as wood, waxed paper, and aluminum foil and explore which item produced the most friction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports Activity Stations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe and understand forces applied to an object and the change in speed or direction of the object. In this forces lesson, 4th graders divide into groups and play at various sports stations. Students mark push or pull...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bold Bridges

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore bridge construction. In this bridge building activity, students view bridge websites and discuss how bridges are designed and built. Students design and construct their own bridge using the directions provided.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Paper Planes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders conduct an experiment. In this force, mass and measurement lesson, 3rd graders create 3 planes powered by a straw out of 3 different kinds of paper. They record their results.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Force Acrostic Poem

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this force activity, students write an acrostic poem about force. Students use the letters FORCE to begin each line of poetry that tells about the subject. The instructions do not tell what kind of force is referred to.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Investigating Friction

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Young learners explore friction. They view a video or DVD (bibliography provided) and define terms related to friction, and work in groups to experiment with the effects of friction on speed and motion using ramps and toy cars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces and Motion-The Downhill Racer

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students calculate a toy car's velocity and acceleration. For this force and motion lesson, students build ramps and attach a dropper to a toy car, which is released down the ramp. Students calculate and graph velocity and acceleration...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pre-School Ball Run

For Teachers Pre-K
Students demonstrate force and motion by rolling a ball through a tube. In this motion lesson students explore what happens to the ball when it is rolled with other balls of various sizes, weights, and textures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Action and Reaction

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students experiment with Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this physics and motion lesson, students complete two experiments to illustrate force and its equal and opposite reaction. Students first work in pairs to exert an equal force on...