It's About Time
A Moving Frame of Reference
We often remind pupils to cite their references, but this lesson helps them understand there are many frames of reference. Scholars experiment with throwing a ball straight up in the air and catching it. Then they must do it again while...
Curated OER
Straight Line Motion in Two Parts
Students describe and quantify the motion of toy cars. In this motion lesson, students observe a battery powered toy car on a flat surface and a standard toy car on a sloped surface. They write their observations, measure average speeds,...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Acceleration
Take a look at acceleration within the context of automotive technology. They vary the mass on a toy car and run it down a ramp, exploring Newton's second law of motion. Though this is a classic lab activity, you will appreciate the...
Curated OER
Describing the Motion of a Battery Powered Cars
Middle schoolers 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 various...
Curated OER
Speed Trails
In this Algebra I/Algebra II learning exercise, students conduct an experiment with toy cars in order to calculate and compare average, instantaneous, and constant speed. The two page learning exercise contains three questions. Answers...
Curated OER
Dude, Who Hit My Car?
Learners discuss how investigators solve a hit and run accident. In this physical science lesson, students recreate an accident scene using CEENBot. They collect data from the experiment and formulate conclusion.
Curated OER
Straight Line Motion with a Stomper
Students explore average speed, and graph distances and time. In this speed and velocity lesson students complete a lab then calculate distances, acceleration and velocity and graph the data.
Curated OER
Forces and Motion-The Downhill Racer
Students calculate a toy car's velocity and acceleration. In 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...
Curated OER
Battery Operated Model Car Experiments
Students time battery operated cars over a set track and determine the velocity of each type of car. They use the cars as manipulatives to demonstrate word problems involving velocity.
Curated OER
Newton's Laws of Motion
Students perform three activities that each demonstrate one of Newton's Laws of Motion. They use a ramp and toy car to demonstrate inertia, calculate acceleration due to gravity, then use a medicine ball and rolling chair to demonstrate...
Curated OER
Moving Along
Students are introduced to the concept of motion. In groups, they practice calculating the rate, time, and distance of various objects on a variety of surfaces. To end the lesson, they apply the same principles to those objects moving...
Curated OER
Force Counterforce
Middle schoolers hypothesize what forces affect the motion of a falling body. In this physical science lesson, students create diagrams and illustrations to support their hypothesis. They perform the experiment and record observations.