LABScI
Conservation of Momentum: Marble Collisions
What happens to the momentum of an object when it strikes another object? Scholars roll a marble down a ramp so it collides with another marble. By measuring the speed of each marble before and after the collision, pupils answer this...
Purdue University
Simple Machines
What's the best way to use a simple machine to solve a real-world problem? Scholars construct their own simple and complex machines to explore the concepts of work and force. They discuss examples of simple machines they have found in...
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
Simple Machines
Simple doesn't mean useless. Individuals learn how simple machines benefit the user by changing the amount of effort. A seven-lesson unit begins with an overview of simple machines and then incorporates activities that allow the user to...
Urbana School District
Energy, Work, Simple Machines
The tension of the 236 strings in a grand piano exert a combined force of 20 tons on the cast iron frame. The presentation includes topics such as work, forms of energy, conservation of energy, gravitational and elastic potential energy,...
Urbana School District
Vectors
I don't always make vector jokes, but when I do, IJK. Vector addition using multiple methods, scalar multiplication, vector subtraction, vector components, relative velocities, free body diagrams, and so much more Are covered in this...
Discover Da Vinci
Da Vinci: Machines Exhibition
Transportation devices, military devices, mechanical devices, entertainment devices. The inventions of Leonardo da Vinci are legendary. After viewing images of da Vinci's inventions, class members are encouraged to draft their own...
Purdue University
The Represented World: Recreational STEM
How are forces and motion important to a swing set? Scholars explore the concepts of force and motion using swing sets. In preparation for their own STEM design project, individuals take surveys and data from peers, complete labs on...
Curated OER
Linear Motion
In this fantastic physics and math lesson, student pairs create a ramp that will transport a rolling marble in order to learn about linear motion. Students use cardboard, straws, toothpicks, marshmallows, and paper clips in order to make...
Curated OER
Going the Distance
Students experiment in small groups to answer the question, "Is there a relationship between ramps and speed?" They apply a formula to calculate the speed of the cars used in the experiment, complete the associate lab report, and...
Curated OER
Vectors
Students are introduced to the bridge building challenge. They perform two labs and work in small groups to finish the vector worksheet. Students review vector additions. They then move onto the Forces on an Inclined Plane Lab. ...
Curated OER
How Do Simple Machines Work?
In this simple machines worksheet, students brainstorm problems that can be solved by the work of simple machines. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Curated OER
Potential Energy: How is It Related to Kinetic Energy?
Students explore kinetic and potential energy. In this energy lesson, students launch toys cars from ramps in order to examine the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy. Students collect data and graph the results.
Curated OER
When Push Comes to Crunch
Eighth graders engage in an experiment which uses an inclined plane and balls of various masses to determine the effect a large object has on a small object. They study velocity, momentum, gravity and forces.
Curated OER
Machines
In this machines worksheet, students review different types of simple machines including pulleys, wedges, levers, and inclined planes. This worksheet has 10 matching, 4 multiple choice, and 8 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Forces and Motion-The Downhill Racer
Students calculate a toy car's velocity and acceleration. In this force and motion lesson, students build ramps and attach a dropper to a toy car, which is released down the ramp. Students calculate and graph velocity and acceleration...
Curated OER
An Introduction to Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines and their uses in everyday life. In this scientific method lesson, students examine physical tools such as wedges, screws, and levers using a "how does it work" approach. Students complete...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students investigate and explain simple machines and their uses. Key concepts include: lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and wedge.
Curated OER
Science Experiments - The Low-down
Third graders discover the process thinking about science experiments, and why they are important. They work in small groups using incline planes and a small toy car to design one scientific question that can be answered through...
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
Polygons, Pingos, and Themokarst! Oh MY!
Students complete activities to learn about the common land features in Alaska. For this land study lesson, students study an overhead for permafrost features. Students define ice wedge polygons, thermokarst, and pingos. Students also...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this simple machines worksheet, learners cut out pictures and glue under the labels of "lever," "inclined plane," or "wedge." An answer key is given.
Curated OER
Flight of Angles of Inclination
Students measure the flight of a gilder. In this fight of angles lesson, students explore the flight of a glider and measure the distance flown. They collect statistical data of the flights and determine the slope of each flight. ...
Teach Engineering
Not So Simple
Compound machines, nothing more than a combination of simple machines working together, are the focus of an activity that asks class members to use the provided information to take a look at the way innovators combine simple machines to...
Curated OER
Changes in Force, Motion, and Energy
Eighth graders construct various machines and compare the work done by them.