Curated OER
Warming by Freezing
Ninth graders discover the reasoning behind spraying water on fruit and seedlings in preparation for hard freezes. For this conceptual physics lesson, 9th graders conduct an experiment to measure the heat released when water goes from a...
Curated OER
Pendulum Lab
Students predict how changing the pendulum components affect its period. In this physics lesson, students calculate the period using different masses. They analyze lab result and complete assigned worksheet.
Curated OER
Rocket Physics
Students investigate the relationship between impulse, momentum, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamic drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate data taken from launching a rocket. They compare the theoretical and...
Science Matters
Forms of Energy
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first lesson in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in order...
NASA
Pop Can Hero Engine
Hang a soda can from a string and watch it spin by the force created by water streaming out of slanted holes. This plan provides background information, detailed materials and procedures, discussion questions, a lab worksheet, and...
Ohio State University
Exploration Activities with Electrostatic Interactions
Step out of the 21st century and discover protons and electrons through observation. Using common materials, participants continually adjust their explanation of charges. The final assessment requires pupils to design their own...
National Math + Science Initative
Introduction to Decimals
Three activities make up an introductory instructional activity designed to create a strong foundation in comparing fractions to decimals and exploring and building decimal models. Pupils brainstorm and complete a Venn diagram to show...
Curated OER
Up and Atom
"Up and Atom" is a mini-unit introducing middle-schoolers to the wonders of elements. Participants draw atom models, examine the periodic table, compare samples of metals to nonmetals, identify unknown elements, and more! The beginning...
Curated OER
Lab for Truss Design and Testing
Students design and build their own truss. In this physics lesson, students calculate the forces and maximum load. They complete a full scale diagram of their design.
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Students differentiate physical and chemical changes. In this chemistry lesson, students identify five indicators that a chemical change took place. They complete a reflection journal at the end of the activity.
Curated OER
Ice Breakers: A Lab Experience About the Effects of Global Warming on Icecaps
Students describe the physical properties of ice and speculates on the dangers that icecaps might pose on a global scale. They then demonstrate, through a series of experiments, several physical properties of ice (ability to fracture,...
Curated OER
Investigation of Hooke's Law Lab
Students determine the spring constant by conducting an investigation. In this physics lesson, students collect data and create a graph of force vs. displacement. They compare the results of two different methods to find spring constant.
Curated OER
Ballistic Pendulum Lab
Learners determine the muzzle velocity of projectile launcher. In this physics instructional activity, students compare the pendulum method and kinematic method in calculating the initial velocity. They analyze data and discuss results...
Curated OER
Potato Launcher Energy Lab
Students investigate conservation laws using a potato launcher. In this physics lesson, students measure angles, time and distance of the potato. They discuss applications of experiments like this.
Curated OER
Memory/Physiology Lab Activity
Young scholars investigate the nervous system and how physical distractions influence mental performance. They work in pairs as a researcher and subject and memorize a series of words with no distractions. After repeating the list of...
Curated OER
Wind Effects on Model Building: Lab for Deflection and Moment of Inertia
Students investigate the relationship between shape of object and moment of inertia. In this physics lesson, students collect data from the experiment and use spreadsheet to graph them. They discuss how load affects deflection.
Curated OER
Mineral Lab
Eighth graders examine the physical properties of different minerals. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the uses of minerals in their daily lives. They complete the mineral identification table during the lesson.
Curated OER
Physical Difference and Classification
Students use a microscope and observation skills to compare and contrast several physical properties and develop a classification system.
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Change
Students study the differences between physical and chemical changes. In this physical and chemical lesson students complete several labs to help them to see the differences between these changes.
Ohio State University
Ohm's Law
Have you ever wanted to build a conductor? Here is a lesson that takes pupils through building a conductor based on Drude's model in order to better understand electricity.
Beauty and Joy of Computing
Algorithms
Introduces the class to the idea of searching a list by building a script. Learners modify a guessing game script that will find a number in a list.
Teach Engineering
Preconditioning Balloons: Viscoelastic Biomedical Experiments
What does stretching a balloon have to do with equilibrium? Groups explore preconditioning by stretching a balloon to a point of equilibrium. They then measure the amount of force required to stretch the balloon to the same point several...
Physics Classroom
Resistance Ranking Tasks
Resistance is not futile ... it is voltage divided by current. Scholars apply their knowledge to a series of ranking puzzles. First, they consider wires of varying lengths and then wires of varying cross-sectional areas. Finally, they...
Physics Classroom
Getting a Handle on Torque
Do your young physicists get a little unbalanced when it comes to talking about torque? Scholars examine the effects of weight and distance on a balanced system with a simple interactive from the Rotation and Balance series. The resource...