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Linear Functions

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students solve and graph linear equations. For this algebra lesson, students collect data and plot it to create a linear function. They identify the domain and range of each line.
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Physics: Vector Addition

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students drill and practice putting problems into vector form. They draw each problem before trying to solve them. Students draw arrows for any vector quantities to indicate magnitude and direction.
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Rhythm

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders sing in 3/4 meter with an upbeat. They write a poem using descriptive words. Students move at different speeds to show quarter, half and eigth notes. They play a math game involving the number of beats a quarter, half and...
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Hurricanes 1: The Science Of Hurricanes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to the science of hurricanes in an effort to highlight how forces change the speed and direction of motion. They list facts about hurricanes; including insights about the formation, movement, and impact hurricanes...
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The Basics: Physical Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view a video on friction and examine how friction and gravity affect some sports.  In this investigative lesson plan students write a paragraph and draw a picture that illustrates how friction and gravity affect sports.
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Super Gelatin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the refraction properties of gelatin to calculate its index of refraction. They discover that as the light travels through the gelatin, its speed and wavelength also change. Students find th indes of refraction of an...
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Automobile-Accident Reconstruction

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate an accident and relate it to math. In this trigonometry lesson, students measure the accident scene, the friction produced, and the speed from the skid marks. They create a poster of their findings.
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RIDING THE WIND

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students locate the Trade Winds, Westerlies and Polar Easterlies on a map, explain the impact of the rotation of the Earth, and plot a route for a round trip voyage from New York to London.
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover the principles and uses of gears noting that they can be used to change the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They may also change the force and/or distance through which an object turns. They then...
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How to be a Great Navigator!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine historical methods of navigation. They discuss the techniques of "Dead Reckoning," "Heaving the Log," and "Chip Log," pretend to sail from Europe to North America using vectors and determine the location of their...
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Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students use the design process to investigate physical science.  For this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance.  Students...
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The Physics of Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study hummingbirds and how they use Newton's law.  In this motion lesson students complete several activities and view videos of hummingbirds. 
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Navigating by the Numbers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe how math is important in navigation and engineering. They study how surveyors use math and science to calcute, count, measure, label, and indicate distances on a map. They estimate specific distances.
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Electricity's Attraction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the different features of a roller coaster using an interactive website. In this physical science lesson, students explain the role of science to make this thrill ride possible. They develop a creative...
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Rock On!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders make models of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks out of different types of candy and cookies.
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Here's the Pitch

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students define pitch, measure varying amounts of water into containers, make predictions about the sounds made when striking the containers, put containers in order from highest to lowest pitch, and create their own sound patterns with...
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Acceleration 1

For Teachers 8th - 10th
In this acceleration worksheet, students use weights to increase the mass affecting the force on moving objects. Students plot a graph of their data and answer 3 questions about how the acceleration of the toy skateboard used in the...
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Analog Forecasting

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students recognize the elements of an analog weather forecast.  For this weather forecasting lesson, students use a website and look for trends, persistence and climatology in weather forecasting.  Students complete a...
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Building Bridges

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify the different types of bridges. Using the internet, they research information on how they are built by completing a scavenger hunt. Locating a specific area, they determine which type of bridge would be appropriate and...
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Boarding School

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students discuss conservation of energy using a skateboarder in the halfpipe or a person on a roller coaster as an example. Using mathematical equations, students examine potential and kinetic energy of the examples. Lesson is completed...
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Strength of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
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Avalanche!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explain that when forces on an object are balanced, the motion of object does not change. They describe how an object changes its motion when forces on it are unbalanced. They plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test...
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Roller Coasters in the Classroom

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students define kinetic energy and know the effects of weight and speed on momentum.  In this investigative lesson students get into groups and design a roller coaster. 
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Wright Flight

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explain and explain the interactive relationships between forces of lift and gravity, thrust and drag, as they apply to airplanes in motion. They know that Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first airplane based on these...