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Adding the Moon: Using a Classroom Model to Explore the Movement of the Sun, Earth, and Moon
Learners observe and discuss motions of the Earth and the Moon as they spin and orbit the Sun.
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Rock-A-Bye Pendulum
Third graders use the scientific process to explore the effects of force on an object in motion. They demonstrate that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the change in speed or direction of the object. They...
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Earth's Journey Through Space
Learners arrange various pictures of the Earth to identify its journey through space. In this Earth's rotation lesson plan, students use models of the Earth and demonstrate its journey through space. Learners complete the worksheet about...
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Solar System Slide Show
Pupils work in small groups to research a planet in our Solar System in order to compare it to Earth. They examine the planet's size, atmosphere, rotation and revolution periods, temperature, and other attributes. They collect...
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Simple Machines
Third graders are introduced to the six types of simple machines and discover how they make tasks easier. In groups, they rotate between stations to experiment with the different types of simple machines. To end the lesson plan, they...
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What's Your Sign? The Science Behind The Zodiac
Students investigate the concepts dealing with the motions of celestial objects, the ancient origins of the Zodiac and the science behind the Zodiac.
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World Wide Winds
Students recognize that global winds move in specific directions in specific latitudes and describe that in a written form. They relate the motion of the wind belts to historical navigation.
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Winds Go Spinning Around
Students simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
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Sports and Exercise Activity
Eighth graders practice utilizing motor skills by participating in different sports activities. For this physical education lesson, 8th graders participate in racquetball, shuttle cock, and baseball style activities in order to...
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Atmospheric Cells
Young scholars recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat...
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Space Science: Constellations and the Sun
Students review the zodiac signs and illustrate their movement using constellations on the wall and themselves to represent earth. Individually or in groups, they stand in the center of the room while a shadeless lamp is placed between...
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Can You Get A Charge Out Of Matter?
Students observe and demonstrate how objects can be charged positively and negatively and how static electricity works. They observe a teacher-led demonstration, and in small groups rotate through various static electricity activities,...
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Wonders of Weather
Students understand the destructive force of a tornado. They learn the role of a thunderstorm in the creation of a tornado.
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The Spin Doctor Is In
Students are introduced to rotational inertia with some example of objects that rotates: Throw a Frisbee acroos the field and it rotates as it moves. The same is true for a baseball and a football. The two motions, translational and...
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As the World Turns
Third graders read books and participate in class discussions about the motion of the stars and planets and moons in relation to the Earth. In small groups, 3rd graders act out these movements to music.
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Ferris Wheel Problem
Learners use two pairs of parametric equations to describe two objects in motion. They determine when two objects are the closest. They simulate the behavior of the two objects and interpret the behavior of the objects in motion.
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Accelerated Frames of Reference: Inertial Forces
Students examine how when applying the laws of motion to an object in an accelerating frame, using coordinates defined in such frame, one must always add an "inertial force", representing forces caused by the frame's acceleration.
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Transformations
Tenth graders recognize, perform and derive rules for basic transformations including translation, reflection and rotation. They also consider compositions, a combination of two or more basic transformations. Students explore both...
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The Path of the Sun, the Ecliptic
High schoolers are introduced to the ecliptic, the zodiac and the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.
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Capturing the Wind
Students collect and analyze data about wind speed. They build a Lego wind sail and measure the wind speed with a rotation sensor. They use software to analyze the data.
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Skateboard Science
Learners investigate how skaters can turn in midair. In this physics instructional activity, students relate Newton's Laws to skateboarding. They carry out the maneuver with the help of their classmate.
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Primary Bouncing
Students develop hand and ey coordination. The focus is upon handling a ball. This could be helpful for practice for sports like basketball or volleyball. This helps with repetition to develop muscle memory and visual or spatial ability.
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Foucault's Pendulum
High schoolers explain how the motion of the Foucault pendulum proves that the earth is rotating.