Curated OER
Water Pressure Experiments
Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Curated OER
Hit Me If You Can!
Learners graph linear equations using slopes and intercepts. In this algebra instructional activity, students identify the slope as being positive,negative or undefined. They differentiate between different quadrants on a coordinate plane.
Curated OER
"Go-Car" Lab
Students construct a car based on directions given. In this physics lesson, students calculate average speed using distance and time information. They collect data and create a graph of distance vs. time.
Curated OER
Travel Time
Students use a migration map to estimate the distance traveled by a bird while migrating south. After calculating accurate estimates of the distance traveled, students compare the distances traveled with the amount of time elapsed.
Curated OER
Discovery Science Library: The Basics Physical Science
Students examine friction and gravity. affect four sports. In this scientific discovery activity, students examine how friction and gravity affect sports. They discuss, write, and illustrate the effect of different forces on...
Curated OER
Physics Rewind
Eighth graders differentiate speed and velocity. For this physics lesson, 8th graders explain Newton's laws of motion. They calculate speed using a mathematical formula.
Curated OER
Moving Along
Students are introduced to the concept of motion. In groups, they practice calculating the rate, time, and distance of various objects on a variety of surfaces. To end the activity, they apply the same principles to those objects...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Learners will work in small groups, observing an ice cube and recording a description, the feel of the ice, and how it looks when put in another container. Students observe changes in the ice over 15 minute intervals, then freeze the...
Curated OER
Construction and Use of an Accelerometer
Eighth graders, in groups, study acceleration and build an accelerometer.
The Science Spot
The Wave Exercise
During a lesson on wave motion, physical science participants basically act out the waves as a group. Through their movements, the amplitude, speed, frequency, and wavelength are all identified. Ideas for modeling the reflection and...
Columbus City Schools
May the Force Be with You
You won't have to force your classes to complete these engaging activities! Through exploration, young scientists learn that force has both magnitude and direction. They draw force diagrams, investigate force models, and complete a...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pendulum Time
Take your time with this instructional activity. Junior engineers read about different types of clocks and then work together to build a pendulum time-keeper. There are no hints as to how they might go about accomplishing this complex...
Curated OER
Swinging Pendulum
Students engage in an activity which demonstrates how potential energy (PE) can be converted to kinetic energy (KE) and back again. Given a pendulum height, students calculate and predict how fast the pendulum will swing by understanding...
Curated OER
Motion in a Circle
Learners study about deriving centripetal acceleration for motion at constant speed around a circle.
Curated OER
Drop It!
Eighth graders explore Newton's Law of Motion that states that an object at rest stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force and that an object in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.
Curated OER
Domino Dash
Eighth graders examine the relationship between speed, time and distance. In this motion lesson students complete a lab activity that allows them to calculate average speed.
Curated OER
Historical Perspectives
Twelfth graders watch episodes of Star Trek and analyze the works of it that pertain to the theory of relativity. In this creative lesson students also write and illustrate a children's book about the special theory of relativity.
Curated OER
I'm Inclined to See
Students examine motion of a sphere on an inclined plane. In this inclined plane lesson students complete an activity to discover basic relationships.
Curated OER
Sports in Physics: Measuring Velocity in a Mini-Olympics
Eighth graders examine the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration. In this velocity activity students read and construct a line graph and a bar graph to show information about velocities of sports activities.
Curated OER
Motions
Ninth graders differentiate between energy waves transmitted from a quarry or mine as opposed to energy waves transmitted by an earthquake. They analyze seismograms of blast events from at least two quarries or mines. The energy waves...
Curated OER
Traveling Bowls
Students investigate the relationship between force and motion while conducting an experiment to answer the question,"How do objects move?". In small groups, they predict how many washers are needed to pull a bowl across a finish line.
Curated OER
Investigation 4 - Collision Zone
Third graders study how forces of push and pull can change speed or direction.
Curated OER
How Does a Satellite Stay in Orbit?
Young scholars explore placing a satellite into orbit, then about forces needed to keep an object in orbit. They examine how satellites orbit in elliptical paths and about properties of ellipses. They learn Kepler's 3rd Law of Planetary...