Columbus City Schools
It’s All Relative
Are the people on the other side of the world standing upside down? Pupils discuss the relationship between movement and position words. The unit explores the concept of reference points through animation, modeling, photography, and more.
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Alka-Seltzer Rockets: How to Build Your Own Rocket
Students create a rocket using Alka-seltzer of baking soda and vinegar. In this physics instructional activity, students identify the factors affecting the length of time the rocket is propelled. They relate this activity to actual...
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Super Scientist Quiz
In this science worksheet, students match each of the descriptions on the right to the correct scientist listed on the right. There are thirty scientists to identify and match on the sheet.
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Designing Machines
Learners explore simple and compound machines. In groups of four students, they design a compound machine using K'NEX that has a stated purpose and consists of at least two simple machines.
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Physical Pendulum Lab
Students calculate the moment of inertia of a disc. In this physics lesson, students differentiate the two methods used in finding the inertia. They construct their own pendulum for the lab.
Urbana School District
Physics Intro, Kinematics, Graphing
Some consider physics the branch of science concerned with using long and complicated formulas to describe how a ball rolls. This presentation, while long, is not complicated, yet it covers rolling, falling, and more. It compares vectors...
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Vocabulary for Newton's Laws
In this Newton's laws worksheet, students match 24 terms with their definitions about topics related to Newton's three laws of motion. Topics include free body diagrams, vector diagrams, static equilibrium and all terms related to the...
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What a Drag
Learners learn examples of friction and drag, and suggest ways to reduce the impact of these forces. The equation that governs common frictional forces is introduced, and during a hands-on activity, students experimentally measure a...
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Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper clip...
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Fantastic Friction!!!
Students work in small groups to list at least 10 items that have movement or motion choosing one item from the list to use as a topic for the following questions: How does this item move? How can we slow down the movement? How can we...
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Jet Engine Magazine
Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. In this flight lesson, students identify the motion and force that must be generated in order for a jet engine to lift off the ground. Students create a cover for a...
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Numerical Determination of Drag Coefficients
Students create a video of an object falling with a drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate drag coefficient using data from Logger Pro. They calculate velocity and acceleration of the object.
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Discovering Friction
Students watch a demonstration that introduces them to the idea that friction is a force that impedes motion when two surfaces are in contact. They work in groups to experiment with frictional force using a coffee cup on which they alter...
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Friction and Gravity
Seventh graders identify the factors that determine the strength of the friction forces when two objects push against each other. Describing the difference between weight and mass, they participate in experiments. They state the law of...
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Earthquakes: Third Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Introduce third graders to energy waves with a hands-on geology activity, in which they answer questions and compare seismograms in the San Francisco Bay area. After a demonstration that shows how bigger waves indicate a high-intensity...
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Mass, Volume, and Weight
Students explore mass, volume, and weight. In this science and measurement lesson, students compare volume, mass, and weight after listening to the teacher's description of each. Students explore different scales and balances and...
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Investigation of Hooke's Law Lab
Students determine the spring constant by conducting an investigation. In this physics instructional activity, students collect data and create a graph of force vs. displacement. They compare the results of two different methods to find...
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Levers
Fifth graders participate in a review discussion of the parts of a lever, resistance or load, fulcrum, and effort. Next, they complete activities at six experiment stations while collecting data that they share with the class. While...
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What is Sound? How Can We Change Sound?
In this lesson, young scholars investigate the phenomenon of sound! Students compare and contrast how sound travels through solids, liquids, and gases. They explain how length and thickness affect sound. Young scholars know the...
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Lend Me Your Ear
Students engage in a lesson to investigate some of the properties of sound. They create sounds and listen to the vibrations that are made while listing all the sounds that are heard. This is done while the eyes are closed to strengthen...
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Magnets
Students investigate the magnetic attraction of different materials by observing a demonstration, and review the words "attraction" and "materials." Next they conduct exploration of a number of materials which have different properties...
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Swings
Students investigate variables which may seem to affect the movement of a pendulum, or "swing."They interpret their observations and apply the scientific principles to develop explanations and solve a new problem.
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Convection Activities
Students conduct a series of hands-on activities to demonstrate that heated air expands and that warm air rises because it is less dense.
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Applied Science - Built Environment (6) Lab
Sixth graders look at toys in space. In this gravity lesson plan, 6th graders make predictions about what different toys will do with zero gravity. They watch a space video and see what happens to these toys in space.