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Impulse/Momentum Lab
Students investigate the relationship between force and momentum using motion detectors and sensors. In this physics lesson plan, students graph experimental results. They calculate impulse using the area under the graph.
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Solar Race Cars
Students explore the relationship between time traveled, distance and speed. In this solar race car lesson students wire solar batteries using series and parallel circuitry.
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Simple Machines
Ninth graders are shown a constructed machine and they asked what it is and what it does? They are questioned on type of simple machine constructed. Students are questioned on various parts of machine. They work in groups to design...
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Biodiesel Combustion and Its Influences in NOx Emissions
Tenth graders evaluate the physical mechanisms that cause a change in NOx emissions. In this combustion lesson, 10th graders participate in a research project. Students create a presentation of their findings.
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Twister: The Tornado Story
Learners examine dangerous weather by researching tornadoes. In this extreme weather lesson, students identify the states included in Tornado Alley. Learners create a virtual tornado using 2 plastic bottles.
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Physics Quiz
In this physics worksheet, learners complete short answer questions about physics concepts such as electricity, space, light, and more. Students complete 20 short answer questions.
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Asteroids
Pupils examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.
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The Beaufort Scale: A Local Model
Students study the Beaufort Scale and use it to study wind in their community. In this wind study lesson, students watch a DVD about climate change and learn about the Beaufort Scale. Students complete a worksheet for the topic.
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Make a Comet
Students construct their own model of a comet using a variety of art supplies by reviewing pictures and diagrams of comets. They examine the structure of comets and the interactions between comets and our Sun.
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Simple Machines
Fourth graders choose a simple machine and write about they way they believe it will work. Students experiment, write down procedures used and record observations. They will find a picture of the machine and add it to their report.
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Airplanes
Fourth graders experiment with gravity and lift by building paper airplanes. In this physics lesson, 4th graders compare the falling rate of a crumpled vs. flat sheet of paper. Then after class discussion and demonstration of Bernoulli's...
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Pangaea Puzzle
Learners explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted. For this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions.
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Heat Up the Floating Plates
Eighth graders research the connection between the convection currents within the mantle of the earth and the moving of Earth's plates. A connection to lessons at previous grade levels on the rock cycle and important background...
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Cloud Types
Students examine cloud types. For this cloud lesson, students identify cloud types, observe clouds and collect data, and analyze data to identify the most common cloud they observe overhead during the course of a month.
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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(S-1B) Global Climate, Global Wind Flow
Students discuss how the horizontal transport of heat from equatorial regions polewards drives global wind systems.
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Recycled Racers
Students research automobile operating systems in relation to racing. They design and construct vehicles from recycled material which they race to study the concept of propulsion.
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Astronomy
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
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Race the Track! Jump the Gap
Students record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...
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Reflecting Light
Students are introduced to the reflective properties of light and use mirrors to make light from a source reflect onto a specific target. They take turns and record the amount of time it took to correctly reflect the light.
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Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
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Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. For this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
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Exploring the Interstellar Medium
Pupils investigate the Interstellar Medium and the Local Bubble that the Sun is inside. They read and discuss a handout, answer discussion questions, observe a demonstration of light scattering, and conduct an experiment on the...
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Volcano!-Thar She Blows!
Middle schoolers describe how volcanoes are formed. They name the types of boundaries where volcanoes occur. They utilize models to illustrate the occurence of volcanoes and earthquakes along plate boundaries. They compare and constrast...