Curated OER
The Ultimate Roller Coaster Contest
Middle schoolers explain how conservation of energy applies to roller coasters. In this physics lesson, students construct their own coasters according to a specified criteria. They make modifications to their design when...
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Force/Newton's Laws/Friction
Middle schoolers describe how to recognize a force, define balanced and net forces, state Newton's first law of motion, explain why friction works, state Newton's second Law of Motion, and explain why the direction of force is important.
Curated OER
Physics of Roller Coasters
Students study the physics used to design today's roller coasters. In this engineering lesson students complete several activities including designing their own roller coaster.
PBS
Rubber Band Car
Class, start your engines. Future engineers design a car with old CDs as wheels. The power source? Some rubber bands will do the trick! This is the first installment of a five-part series.
Curated OER
Adding Power to the Car
Students add a gear system to a car they built out of K'NEX parts in a previous lesson. After the gear system is added, a rubber band power system is added to the car in order to propel the car.
Curated OER
Biomass As a Fuel
Learners investigate the use of biomass as a fuel. They discuss energy and its uses in their homes. They explore the two types of energy, potential and kinetic and examples of both types. They study the process of photosynthesis and...
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Work and Energy
Pupils show that energy is conserved in the laboratory. They calculate the work done by a force on an object as the product of the force and a displacement of the object from a reference point.
Curated OER
Roller Coasters Lab
Students study kinetic energy and friction and how it pertains to a roller coaster. In this roller coaster lesson plan students complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Force And Motion
Eighth graders investigate the concept of force and motion while conducting short class activities. They compare the differences of potential and kinetic energy while rolling objects on a ramp. Students also measure the distance that...
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Role of Energy in Reactions
In this energy worksheet, students determine the enthalpy of exothermic and endothermic reactions. This worksheet has 1 fill in the blank and 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Balloon Ball Bounce
Students explore the rebound of balls. In this energy conversion lesson, students explore the physics behind the rebound of various types of sports balls. Through the experimental design process using balloons, students investigate and...
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A River Ran Through It
Students research how water is used to generate electricity. They investigate water's potential-to-kinetic energy transfer in hands-on activities about falling water and waterwheels. They take measurements, calculate averages and graph...
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Heat Unit
Young scholars define thermal equilibrium. They distinguish between internal energy and heat. Students describe how the quantity of heat that enters or leaves a substance is measured.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Unit 2 - Section 2 - Fuels for Everything
In this alternative energy instructional activity, 6th graders read and study the varying types of fuel. Students read examples and ways that alternative fuel can be used.
Curated OER
Water and Diffusion
In this water and diffusion worksheet, students will explore the characteristics of water and the water molecule. Students will also answer questions about diffusion and the movement of materials due to concentration differences. This...
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Mechanical Properties of Chocolate: How Hard is your Chocolate?
Young scholars calculate, measure and identify the hardness of various chocolate bars. They determine the hardness of the chocolate bar using quantitative data. Students make observations of the hardness of chocolate while dropping the...
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Determining Momentum and Energy Loss of Balls Colliding Against Different Surfaces
Students experiment with the bounce of balls on various surfaces. In this physics instructional activity, students use various surfaces to bounce balls to study the momentum. This hands-on activity with the concepts of elasticity of...
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How Much Energy is a Kilowatt Hour?
Young scholars study the conservation of energy. In this energy lesson students explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
Curated OER
Sorting
Students examine Library organization. In this logic lesson, students watch a Between the Lions episode and consider how the library has been organized. Students each list their 3 favorite book titles and how they would classify them....
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The Sum of All Thrills
Learners make a bungee cord. In this potential and kinetic energy lesson, students work in groups to create a bungee cord for an egg. Learners evaluate and test their cord. After performing the experiment the students answer...
Curated OER
What is Work?
Students investigate the connection between work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and heat. In this physics lesson, students use pulleys to produce mechanical advantages and incline planes to demonstrate energy conversion.
Curated OER
Roller Coasters in the Classroom
Students define kinetic energy and know the effects of weight and speed on momentum. For this investigative lesson students get into groups and design a roller coaster.
Curated OER
Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe
Eighth graders describe the energy transformations as cars travel over a roller coaster. They explain the principle of conservation of energy as it relates to a roller coaster ride. The integration of technology is done using educational...
Curated OER
Design a Bobsled
Students apply their knowledge of friction, drag, mass and gravity as they design, build, and test mini-bobsleds.