Exploratorium
Touch the Spring
Concave mirrors and the images they produce are traditional topics in the physics classroom. This resource explains how to set up an investigation of them, and it provides you with the explanation of concepts.
Exploratorium
Hot Spot
Not only does a concave mirror focus light waves, it can also concentrate infrared radiation into a hot spot. If you have a small electric heater and such a mirror, demonstrate this for your physical science class.
American Museum of Natural History
How Did the Universe Begin?
The Big Bang Theory is more than a television show. Pupils read how Edwin Hubble observed other galaxies and noticed that the galaxies are moving away from each other. Scholars learn about the idea of the big bang and what happened next...
Curated OER
Rock-A-Bye Pendulum
Third graders analyze the effects of force on an object in motion and its relationship to a change in speed. This lesson uses a pendulum to demonstrate the principle.
Curated OER
Build a 3-d Plant Model
Third graders construct a three-dimensional model of a flowering plant. They examine the major plant parts and their basic functions. They demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and differences in the physical...
Curated OER
Animal Behavior
In this crossword puzzle instructional activity, students fill in the grid with words related to animal behavior. Students find 12 words about animal behavior.
Curated OER
"How Sweet It Is: Awareness Today Can Defeat Diabetes Tomorrow"
Learners explain the importance of having a healthy body and be inspired to make better choices. They research diabetes to become aware of its symptoms, dangers, and prevention. They identify the relationship between childhood obesity...
Curated OER
How Things Fly
Students conduct a series of hands-on experiments that help them explain the role of lift in fixed-wing flight. They observe the flow of air and water around several surfaces and then consider the dynamics of airflow around an aircraft...
Curated OER
Making Layered Hail Stones
Middle schoolers explore how hail forms in the atmosphere, why hailstones are layered, and what accretion is. They also learn what supercooled liquids are.
Curated OER
Flight Home
Students experiment to investigate the role in fixed-wing flight. They watch as air and water flow around surfaces to examine the dynamics of airflow around an aircraft wing.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Changing Constellations
Do you like to look up into the night sky? There are so many stars, it can be mind boggling. Some ancient people marked time by the changes in star patterns. We still use changes in constellation patterns to mark astronomical time. This...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Particles and Waves: The Central Mystery of Quantum Mechanics
One of the most amazing facts in physics is that everything in the universe, from light to electrons to atoms, behaves like both a particle and a wave at the same time. But how did physicists arrive at this mind-boggling conclusion? Chad...
US Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture Kids: Attack of the Killer Fungus!
USDA site invites users to enter the world of the mushroom farmer by showcasing a story entitled: "The Attack of the Killer Fungus!" Also contains links to "mind-boggling" facts about mushrooms, the mushroom council as well as naming...
My Science Site
Optical Illusions
This resource contains some optical illusions that will boggle your mind as you try to figure them out.