Discover the connection between electric current and magnets. Scholars create electromagnets by passing a magnet through a coil. They experiment with different materials to determine the variables that affect the strength of the current.

Young engineers work in teams to design and build their own trebuchets according to certain criteria; they must be able to launch a mini marshmallow accurately into a pie tin. Background reading material, a planning sheet for trebuchet...

With the use of a model rocket kit, aspiring aerospace engineers work cooperatively to construct and launch a rocket. A preparatory reading assignment is included, covering Newton's laws of motion and information about the first...

Pairs work as engineering teams to design and build model bridges from drinking straws and tape. In this third segment in a series of 10, teams compete in an attempt to build the strongest bridge. To help with the design, the groups...

Your class sets up a mini water cycle model to examine the process. Then they watch an animation, following a water molecule through the cycle. A well-developed lab sheet guides learners through the lesson and a PowerPoint presentation...

Open learners' eyes to the challenge of finding safe drinking water – something we often take for granted in our country. The PowerPoint presentation includes images, graphs, diagrams, and even a video to stimulate discussion on how we...

Students demonstrate how to throw balls. In this physical education activity, students throw a ball into a barrel. Students work in teams to earn points.

Learners examine past and present cultures through theater. They interpret how theater reflects society. Students engage in the process that constitutes creation and performance in the theater. Learners explore the forces that shape...

Have a fun Frisbee day! Lesson 1 (of 8) focuses on throwing the Frisbee backhand. Diagrams show learners how to hold and how to release the Frisbee. It includes a block plan, instant activities for warm-ups, assessment references, and...

Students access hurricane reports form the national weather service online, and draw hurricane paths. They discuss how hurricanes form and move. The research should be reported in a comprehensive presentation that can be given to a whole...

High schoolers study the friction of a particular sport.  In this weight and energy activity students choose a sport and us the Internet to research it then present their findings to the class. 

Students observe two-dimensional shapes and work on the challenge that what is observed is as important as what is not observed. Students determine constructions, rules and connections. Full references listed for further reading and...

Students monitor the weather, clouds, and sky. In this weather activity, students create a sky and cloud window to focus their sky observations. They write observations in a notebook and include the date, time, cloud cover, types of...

If you need to teach about power, this is an outstanding educational resource! It provides definitions of work and power, and gives examples to help junior physicists apply the information. The format is neat and the graphics are...

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, they make a...

Fourth graders study everyday examples of simple machines. They examine how the combination of a wheel and axle works more efficiently than either in isolation. In a demonstration lesson, they see how a spring scale shows a force pulling...

Fourth graders examine the physics behind and uses for inclined planes, screws, and wedges. They determine examples of how these simple machines are used in daily life. Working in three small groups, they move from station to station...

Students evaluate the friction of tennis sneakers and redesign them to increase friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate starting, sideways and forward stopping friction. Using quantitative data, they prove that redesigning...

Here is an inventive plan that should get your young scientists excited! In it, groups of pupils test out the work done by six different simple machines. The machines are: the wedge, the lever, the inclined plane, the pulley, the screw,...

Third graders experiment with magnetic force and magnetic fields. They examine how magnetic forces can act through a distance.

In this math worksheet, students define the details of a definite integral and how it is used. They also apply math to physics to compute how work for lift is calculated.

In this energy worksheet, students read about the discoveries of Galileo and how different philosophers contributed to our understanding of energy. Then students complete 4 short answer questions.

Students investigate the effect of thin films to surface friction. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the coefficient of friction using mathematical formulas. They discuss its importance in their everyday lives.

Students construct their own magnet and wire device. In this inquiry lesson plan, students investigate the factors affecting the strength of magnetic forces. They manipulate different variable to determine their effect.