Third graders investigate different energy conversions through hands-on activities. In this energy instructional activity, 3rd graders move through four stations and conduct experiments illustrating energy conversions. Wave energy,...

If you can find Tinker Toys™, then this may be a fun assignment for your physical science class. Using the construction set and a few other toys, they examine the forces involved when it they are being played with. For each, they...

Bring some energy to your physical science curriculum with this engaging Bill Nye the Science Guy lesson. Based on his Renewable Energy video, students explore the concepts of potential and kinetic energy and learn how they are applied...

It's all uphill from here! Scholars examine the pattern of random particle motion up a staircase. The simulation shows how the linear increase in energy corresponds to an exponential decrease in particle concentration.

Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...

Students investigate energy conversions. In this physical science lesson plan, students make balloon balls to better understand rebound and the law of conservation of energy. The students will use there balloon balls in a series of tests...

Learners discuss gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. They create a working roller coaster from provided materials and criteria then evaluate each roller coaster. They...

Students examine the concept of potential energy and see that it is the ability to do work.  In this energy lesson students complete several activities on potential energy. 

Students use this introductory lab using a tennis racquet, however it is very difficult to study because of the strings and the racquet stretch so little and so quickly during a match that students were unable to make simple...

Students discover the science behind a tennis racket by looking at a simple toy that works in a similar way. After looking at the related mathematical equations, students experiment with the simple toy to find the spring constant k by...

Students investigate the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. For this energy lesson students investigate the height a ball will bounce when dropped from various heights.

Middle schoolers explain how conservation of energy applies to roller coasters. In this physics instructional activity, students construct their own coasters according to a specified criteria. They make modifications to their design...

Seventh graders discuss how energy is transformed from one form to another. For this physics lesson, 7th graders design and build their own hydro generator. They identify the factors that affect its energy production.

Students participate in an experiment dealing with kinetic energy. They predict which cans they believe will win the can race and why. They answer questions based on the experiment.

Students design a roller coaster that allows a marble to run the course as fast as possible. Students create an experimental roller coaster taking into account the steepness of the hills and the sharpness of the turns. Students use a...

Students learn about Rube Goldberg machines (complicated devices designed to accomplish simple tasks and then design and build a machine that uses more than six separate steps to move an empty aluminum can. They can either work...

Students study Rube Goldberg machines.  In this investigative lesson students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can.