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Energy for Free: Perpetual Motion Machines
Students observe the "drinking bird" perpetual motion machine and critically examine the designs of other so-called perpetual motion machines. They use this experience to create their own definition of conservation of energy.
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A Message in a Bottle
Students investigate the motion of water currents by mapping the possible movement of messages cast into the ocean in bottles.They accurately plot the appearance of bottles on a world map and illustrate the flow of an ocean current...
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Newton's Laws 8th Grade Activities
Eighth graders experiment with Newton's Laws by comparing the falling of different objects with different masses. Students work in teams and rotate through four different stations recording their hypotheses and observations as they go.
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The Drag of Drag
Students are introduced to drag. Then they summarize drag by saying that the drag is proportional to the square of the velocity. Students then solve problems an example of such a problem: Explain why swimming underwater is faster than...
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Swinging Observations
Students build a pendulum type swinging apparatus and make specific and selective observations using what they know about scientific observations. They look for regularities of movement, patterns, and systemic changes over time.
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Straight Line Motion
Fourth graders compare/contrast and interpret data concerning different objects straight line motion. They observe several round or spherical objects of various materials and sizes. Students make predictions, observe and collect data...
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Toy Tally One
Fifth graders explore simple machines. They examine toys and discover toys that are actually simple machines. Students share information, with the class, about their selected toy and how it works.
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Still Movement
Young scholars explore constant motion. Using photography equipment and a dark room, students develop photographs that depict motion. Young scholars demonstrate the proper use of photograph equipment.
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Investigating Motion
Young scholars determine velocity using the slope of a time distance graph. They investigate a motion cart using a CBR unit and a TI 83 calculator setup. Using the graph generated, they calculate velocity.
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Mystery Boxes
Students make observations about Mystery Boxes that their teacher has made up and describes the motion of the object inside the box and hypothesizes it's shape based on their observations.
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Rocket Me into Space
Fourth graders study the concept of thrust and how it propels rockets into space. They discover why airplanes cannot travel into space while considering the engineering techniques use in designing rockets. They look at how space...
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Investigating Motion, Forces, and Energy Lab Book
Eighth graders create their own experiements using toy trucks, cars or balls to measure the time it takes two of them to travel 5 meters, as well as at each 1 meter interval. They make use computers to make a time/distance graph and...
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Motion Through the Ages
Eighth graders conduct internet research to produce a timeline of man's growth in understanding of concepts of motion and planetary motion through history.
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Jungle Gym Drop
Young scholars drop a variety of objects from a jungle gym to explore how different shapes, sizes, and masses relate to forces and motion.
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Motion Capture and Analysis
Students investigate the concepts and relationships of speed, displacement and time. They capture the serve motion of a tennis player via video or digital camera and analyze the speed of the ball and racquet head.
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Motion Capture and Analysis
Students capture the serve motion of a tennis player with a digital or video camera. Using transparencies or a software package, analyze the speed, acceleration, displacement and time of the racquet head and ball in the tennis stroke.
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WHAT HOLDS US TO EARTH?
Students they imagine they are Galileo and try to duplicate Galileo's experiments and results.
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THE WRIGHT IDEA!
Students learn about the technological development of flight by organizing a presentation on the history of flight.
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Life Without Flight
Students keep a journal for an intire week recording their observations of the ways aircraft affect society, The students discuss their findings and categorize them into areas such as military, commercial, research, and so on.
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How Do Airplanes Stay off the Ground?
Students use balloons and string to duplicate Bernoulli's Principle of wing shape and its affect on liftoff.
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Using Graphs to Compare
Students use the FoilSim computer simulation program, and demonstrate an understanding of the lift variables by explaining their graphical representations. They demonstrate an understanding of forces and motion.
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Cartoon Creation
Fifth graders create four to six illustrations that produce sequential movement and change when rapidly flipped through with a thumb. Students demonstrate motion and change are shown in a series of illustrations by sharing original...