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Get a Leg Up
Traveling through space is an amazing experience, but it definitely takes a toll on the body. After reading an article and watching a brief video, learners perform an experiment that simulates the effects of zero gravity on the...
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Space Science: Adventure is Waiting
These full-color handouts feature two activities. The first is a reading on comets, meteors, and meteoroids. Your space science learners will examine ten phrases and determine which of the three each characterizes. The second activity...
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Discovering Gravity: What Goes Up Must Come Down
Learners observe falling objects. In this lesson about gravity, students work in groups to determine how objects fall. Learners determine speed of objects falling and whether weight is a factor. Students understand the concept of gravity.
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Gravity Launch
Students examine how gravity affects launching rockets into space. In this physical science lesson, students review the concept of gravity and use an interactive online site, "Gravity Launch," to simulate a rocket launch.
Voyage Solar System
Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson...
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Bounce Back - The Long and Short of It
Upper elementary scientists test basketballs with differing amounts of air to find if inflation affects bounce height. The lesson introduction poses the question of whether or not the composition of a ball determines bounce height, but...
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Force and Motion
Students experiment with force and motion. For this force and motion lesson, students test gravity using a variety of objects. Students rotate through a series of stations which use force, motion, friction, and inclines. Students predict...
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Gravity (Newton's Laws of Motion): A Weighty Subject
Students identify Newton's Laws of Motion. They students explore Newton's Laws of Motion and apply the second law with a classroom activity. The videos will provide visual examples of the effects of gravity while riding on a roller coaster.
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Race the Track! The Time Challenge (lesson 2)
Learners design a track that keeps a ball in motion for 5 seconds or longer. For this designing lesson plan, students explore force, gravity, and cause and effect when it comes to science and building before building their own track.
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Flight Dreams - Flight Factors
Students investigate the physics of flight by experimenting in class. In this history of flight lesson, students define terms such as gravity, lift, and drag in order to better understand how a plane is able to stay in the air....
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On The Go! Forces and Motion
Students create a car using physics. In this forces and motion lesson, students create a car and test which changes in design change the performance of the car. Students complete a graphic organizer with the different changes...
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Force and Motion - Part 2
Students test different objects such as dominoes, marshmallows, slides, and more to test their force, motion, gravity, friction, and the concept of matter. For this force and motion lesson plan, students understand that the force an...
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Gravity - The Glue of the Universe
Learners explore physics by conducting a class experiment. In this gravitational force lesson plan, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Learners utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a satellite...
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Gravity Launch
Students use an online interactive to launch a rocket from earth. They have control over the angle and thrust of the rocket to discover the relationship between the two.
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Tropism
High schoolers conduct various experiments on tropism. In this biology lesson, students explain how gravity affects the growth of plant roots. They identify the different types of tropisms.
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Solar System and Planets
Students identify the main components of the solar system. In this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.
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Classroom Planetarium
Students work in groups to create the planets of the solar system. In this planets lesson plan, students create a hanging solar system taking into account the size, shape and position of the planets. Students discuss the...
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Pop Rocket - Trash to Treasure
First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this lesson may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has individuals...
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In What Direction Do Seeds Grow?
Students predict and examine the direction seeds grow and thereby explore the effects gravity has on seeds and plants. They perform this inquiry in-class by keeping track of how beans grow.
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Shoot for the Moon
Second graders distinguish the different phases of the moon. In this astronomy lesson, 2nd graders study the history of its discovery and myths about its origin. They simulate how the moon's surface is illuminated by the sun.
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A Peek into the Lives of Stars!
Students create a model of the birth of a star and demonstrate the stages of the star's lifecycle. In this star lifecycle instructional activity, students mix flour and water in a jar to model the birth of a star, then role-play...
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Finding Balance
Students explore how an artist uses the force of gravity to create balance in a sculpture. In this sculpting lesson, students create their own sculpture applying concepts from the lesson.
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Water Cycle Reading and Writing
After listening to a story about the water cycle, learners create their own versions of this tale. This is a great way to have your class review the concepts of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.