Lesson Plan
Physics Classroom

Action-Reaction Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Computer-interfaced motion detectors are required to carry out this inquiry. It is a new twist on exploring motion with plunger carts: they are set back-to-back and then propelled away from each other. Their velocities are measured, and...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Measuring Dark Energy

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
You're only 10 minutes late? Do you know how much the universe has expanded in those 10 minutes? Scholars graph supernovae based on their redshift and see if the results verify Hubble's Law. If it does confirm it, the universe is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing Your Motion-Day 1

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the concepts of motion, velocity and acceleration through graphing their own movement using LoggerPro. They become more familiar with the computer technology. Students explore graphing in real time and graph on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I'm Inclined to See

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine motion of a sphere on an inclined plane.  In this inclined plane lesson students complete an activity to discover basic relationships.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing Speed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use LOGAL motion detector probe and observe a generated graph as a student performs various standard motions, and make measurements of time and distance. They suggest various time and distance measurements which a student can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports in Physics: Measuring Velocity in a Mini-Olympics

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration.  In this velocity lesson students read and construct a line graph and a bar graph to show information about velocities of sports activities. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2D Kinematics w/ String Racers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics lesson, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Domino Dash

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the relationship between speed, time and distance.  For this motion lesson students complete a lab activity that allows them to calculate average speed. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Einstein's Big Idea

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the meaning of c2 in E=mc2 by measuring the energy delivered by an object falling at different velocities. They state that kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. Students illustrate how kinetic energy...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Gases

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this gases worksheet, students review the 3 states of matter, the types of molecular motion, and the characteristics of gases. This worksheet has 30 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's 2nd Law

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss Newton's Second Law of Motion, and the acceleration of fast and slow moving objects. They experiment with items with different masses to determine the effect mass has on acceleration using a toy car. They complete...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Motion

For Students 10th - 12th
In this motion worksheet, students complete graphs showing speed vs. time and acceleration vs. time. This worksheet has 2 graphs to complete.
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Constant Rates Revisited

For Teachers 8th Standards
Find the faster rate. The resource tasks the class to compare proportional relationships represented in different ways. Pupils find the slope of the proportional relationships to determine the constant rates. They then analyze the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Waves

For Students 9th - 12th
In this waves instructional activity, students read about harmonic and linear motion in waves as well as the two types of waves. They match 5 terms to their definitions about the structure of waves, they solve for the wavelength,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friction Flyers

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the principles of magnetism and friction. They complete an interactive puzzle on the Gizmos and Gadgets computer software, construct a vehicle, build and modify ramps and vehicles to produce various outcomes, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elevator Height as Integral of Velocity

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Pupils investigate integrals and their relationship to velocity in this calculus lesson. They use the idea of a moving elevator to explore vertical motion and use the TI to help them create a visual.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pressure Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galileo: His Times & Beliefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's a Drag!

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners create number lines using decimals and whole numbers. In this algebra lesson, students graph and solve linear equations. They plot ordered pairs on a coordinate plane correctly.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measurement: Stream Flow & Stadium Capacity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the scientific fields and how information can be monitored and recorded.  For this scientific inquiry lesson students view a PowerPoint presentation and complete a hands on activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atlatl Lesson Grades 4-12

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the weapons of the Aboriginal people. In this tenth grade mathematics lesson, 10th graders investigate how throwing with an atlatl increase the speed of the dart as it is thrown. Students calculate the speed for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impulse/Momentum Lab

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the relationship between force and momentum using motion detectors and sensors. In this physics lesson, students graph experimental results. They calculate impulse using the area under the graph.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Weight Affect Drag?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall.  In this investigative lesson plan students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.