Curated OER
Circuit Boards
Students explore circuit boards. They determine that a complete circuit is needed to light the bulbs, experiment with the boards to develop strategies for finding where the hidden connections are, and develop strategies that can be used...
Curated OER
The Conncection Lesson
Fourth graders see how electricity can flow through objects and can be used to do work. They construct a working circuit of their own and explain why it is able to do work. They get students familiar with what it takes to create a movie.
Curated OER
Static Cling
Students work together to discover the concept of static electricity. They participate in an experiment in which they test different objects charge. They make observations and record them for later use.
Curated OER
Sticky Books
Fourth graders investigate items that are magnetic and those that are not. They determine the properties of the magnetic items. They create a digital book that demonstrates what they have learned about magnetism.
Curated OER
Am I Sticky
Fourth graders become familiar with magnets and their properties. They investigate what items are magnetic and non-magnetic and make generalizations about the properties. They utilize technology to develop an interactive digital book.
Curated OER
Mystery Card 3
Learners will make a circuit on a mystery card. They will connect wires, bulbs, and battery to form an electrical tester. After students learn how to make one following the directions, they can create their own mystery card by...
Curated OER
Fun with Electromagnets
Junior scientists work in groups to construct electromagnets. They experiment by varying number of wraps around the nail, the diameter of the nail, and the type of metal the nail is made of to see if any of these factors has an...
Curated OER
Ohm's Law
If your future physicists know how to construct simple circuits, include resistors, and use a multi-meter to measure voltage, then you might employ this instructional activity on Ohm's law. Each lab group investigates the...
Curated OER
Effects of the Sun on Our Planet (Grades 9-12)
Students examine the Earth's magnetosphere and observe the effects of the sun's energy on it. They discover the difference between true north and magnetic north. They also explore how solar cells convert solar energy to electricity.
Curated OER
What’s That, I Can’t Hear You?
Students investigate forms of energy as well as light and sound. In this science lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to evaluate how sound affects astronauts in flight. A video of this lesson being...
Curated OER
Energy Transformation
Young scholars identify different kinds of energy such as heat energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, and magnetic energy. They investigate the concept of conservation of energy.
Curated OER
How Many? How Far? How Thick?
Fifth graders examine the role of magnetism and electricity. In groups, they are given different types of magnets and discover how the magnetic force differs for each one. They measure the amount of distance a paper clip moves toward...
Curated OER
Attract or Repel?
Students explain why some objects attract and some do not. In this physics instructional activity, students investigate the magnetic properties of objects using CEENBoT. They give some important applications of magnets.
Curated OER
Where's Up?
Fifth graders brainstorm answers to the question why compasses point north. In groups, they use introduce the needle to the different ends of the magnet. They place the needles in a styroform disk and record their results in their...
Curated OER
Charge It!
Students complete an experiment using balloons to help them examine the concept of static electricity. They discover how engineers use this information to create better air filters for homes. They describe how to charge an insulator as...
Curated OER
Webbing out Electricity
Fourth graders identify electricity as a form of energy that is associated with common household products. They utilize technology as an aid in which they can graphically organize their thoughts.
Curated OER
Highways and Stop Signs
Fourth graders investigate conductors and insulators and distinguish between the two. They utilize the digital camera and other forms of technology to create a study guide on conductors to help students develop sound knowledge.
Curated OER
Solar Car Series: Angle/Energy Amount
Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...
BBC
Ourselves
Young biologists identify parts of the body, sort humans from other animals, and list the difference they see. Learners are split up into groups of three, and each group must find pictures in magazines of humans and other animals. They...
Curated OER
Invisible Investigations
Students simulate how charged particles move in a particle detector. In this physics lesson, students observe how iron filings behave when magnetic marbles are passed underneath them. They record and draw their observations.
Curated OER
Aurora Borealis
Middle schoolers discuss what causes the northern lights and the folklore attached to them. They discuss magnetic fields, and use various common materials to discover if ions conduct electricity.
Curated OER
How to Be "Naturally Attractive" (Without Even Trying)
Students examine the various properties of magnets, explain how a compass works and make an electromagnet. They also experiment with magnetic lines-of-force using paper and iron filings.
Curated OER
Reliability Check of Power Grid
Students complete a simulation on power grid reliability check. For this physics lesson, students discuss the consequences of power grid failures. They complete a simulation worksheet.
Alabama Learning Exchange
This Is How We Roll!
Students research how roller coasters work. In this physics lesson plan, learners research the history of roller coasters and the safety factors in the design of a roller coaster on the website www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics. They...