Curated OER
Soapy Solids
Young scholars observe and explain how a change in temperature causes a physical change in a substance. In this physical science lesson plan, students use a soap making kit to observe the effects of adding heat to the bar soap...
Curated OER
Investigating the Relationship of Mass to Volume
Third graders explore the relationship of mass to volume. In this physical science instructional activity, 3rd graders participate in an investigation with a several materials and measure the mass and volume using scientific tools....
Curated OER
The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. In this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method instructional activity, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the...
Curated OER
Hot and Cold Colors
Students examine how temperature effects changes in materials. In this physical science lesson, students use food coloring and cups of water of varying temperatures to observe the effects temperature has on matter. Students predict and...
Curated OER
String Telephones and Musical Straws
Fourth graders investigate pitches of sound. In this physical science lesson, 4th graders participate in two activities that help them explore pitch--one activity has them working with string telephones and the amount of tension...
Curated OER
Magnets
Learners complete a series of experiments using magnets. In this physical science and magnetism activity, students first predict and test the magnetic properties of various objects, then learners determine if the size of a magnet impacts...
Curated OER
Solving Imaginary Crimes
Students participate in a forensic science activity. In this crime solving lesson, students investigate fingerprints, and other crime scene evidence to solve an imaginary crime.
Curated OER
Simply Circuitry and Series Circuit
Students investigate a series circuit. In this physical science lesson, students use a battery, switch, and light bulbs to build an electrical circuit. Students identify the standard symbols being used in electric circuitry.
Curated OER
Properties of Water with a Splash of Color
Students explore the properties of water. In this cross curriculum art and physical science lesson, students experiment with a variety of materials to demonstrate the cohesive forces and adhesion of water. Students create a water color...
Curated OER
Coupled Resonant Pendulums
Students discover every pendulum has a natural vibration cycle that depends on its length. In this physical science lesson, students participate in an experiment that shows the natural vibration frequency of two pendulums is the...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Noodling Around: Powers of Ten
How many noodles long is your classroom? Find out when engineers of all ages explore measurement through the use of pool noodles. With the noodles pre-cut to certain metric lengths, the activities could be used to introduce the metric...
Virginia Department of Education
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
How can one easily classify metals, nonmetals, and metalloids? Pupils answer this question as they experiment with unknown substances and perform tests on conductivity, brittleness, and malleability to determine...
Virginia Department of Education
Properties of Compounds and Chemical Formulas
Young chemists have unknown compounds they need to sort. Performing three different tests on each, the chemical behaviors they observe become the basis for data analysis.
NASA
Space Shuttle Glider
Your charges will enjoy putting together this model of the space shuttle and completing the three challenge activities described in the lesson. The worksheets embedded in the plan that pupils use to cut out their gliders are beautifully...
Curated OER
Velocity of Traffic on Highway 26
Physics fanatics time five cars as they pass on the highway. They use the times and a 20-yard distance to calculate velocity. They also graph distance vs. time. A page of student pre-lab questions is provided in addition to the activity...
Curated OER
Motion in Two Dimensions
Two activities employ the use of kinematic equations for determining projectile ranges. They both require the use of a toy dart gun. Included in this resource are both the teacher's guide and student laboratory sheets. This is an...
Curated OER
Gravity - What is It?
There is scant information on these slides: definitions of gravity and force, and the fact that objects fall at the same speed. Two slides give learners an activity to try to demonstrate aspects of gravity. Although the activities are...
Curated OER
The Science of Forensics
Middle schoolers examine the importance of details in evidence gathering, as well as the relationship between chemistry, physics and biology. In this forensics lesson students divide into groups and look at fingerprints and fill...
Curated OER
Mathematical Modeling and Physics
Twelfth graders use a web site to investigate roller coaster physics. In this mathematical modeling lesson, 12th graders are grouped according to their performance on a test. Each group is given an activity to complete on a web site...
Curated OER
Physical properties of matter
Sixth graders find the physical properties of matter. In this matter lesson, 6th graders measure mass, volume, and density. Students are broken into 3 tiers with 3 different activities based on their understanding of mass and volume.
Curated OER
Physics: Light and Sound
Young scholars explore the concepts of light waves and sound waves. In this physics instructional activity, students complete activities that require them to investigate how light and sound waves travel.
Curated OER
Interactions of Science and Technologies
Students explore how science and technology interact. They discuss important inventions, discoveries and technologies. They research a specific technological advance, or invention, and prepare a presentation that includes the...
Curated OER
Applied Science- Physics
Students investigate how something at home uses physics to work. For this practical physics lesson, students develop a theory of their own to conclude how an object might work. This lesson plan includes a worksheet.
Curated OER
Physics The Earth and Beyond
Fourth graders will explore our solar system. In this physics lesson students create a model of the solar system to explore the movement of Earth, the Sun, and stars.