Curated OER
Waves
Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science instructional activity designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Charting the Progress of New Horizons
In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...
Curated OER
Waves
An incredibly colorful PowerPoint presents all the facts and definitions about waves that you could need for beginning physical scientists. There are several useful links to online animations of wave action. This may have been produced...
Curated OER
Waves
Although this was written to accompany a specific textbook, the information can illustrate wave motion for any advanced level physics course. The slides are simple, use plain but colorful fonts, and include diagrams and pictures to...
NOAA
A Watery World
With about 70% of the earth's surface covered in oceans, it's fair to say that we live in a very wet world. Young scientists gain a better appreciation of this fact as they use maps to identify the world's ocean basins in the first...
American Museum of Natural History
See the Light
It's time to see the light! Scholars perform three different experiments with light to reveal properties using a great remote learning resource. The pupils see how light reflects from a surface and refracts through different materials....
Curated OER
Trajectory and Range of a Projectile
Students investigate the factors affecting projectile trajectory. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the range, time and speed of projectiles using mathematical equations.
Curated OER
Wow Waves (Waves on the Fly)
Students formulate hypotheses on wave behavior and test them. In this physics lesson plan, students compare and contrast transverse and compression waves. They determine the wavelength of transverse waves.
Curated OER
Circuit Training Surprise
Students move around the gym to music, and when the music stops, they sit on a balloon. Inside each balloon are directions for another physical activity students should do.
Curated OER
Speedy Trials
Fifth graders investigate how forces affect the motion of an object. In this physics lesson, 5th graders calculate an object's speed using a mathematical formula. They discuss how force and mass affects the speed.
Curated OER
Field of Fun Day
Young scholars get to showcase many of the different activities taught during their year in physical education classes. They also get to perform some activities just for fun.Great end of the year activity.
Curated OER
Teaching Fundamental Movement
Students perform fundamental movement activities for flexibility and motor skills. In this movement lesson plan, students perform physical activity for all grade levels.
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Learners use the design process to investigate physical science. In this force and motion activity, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Learners recognize the...
Curated OER
Acceleration, Drag, Gravity, Motion, Forces, and Friction
Eighth graders build and run mousetrap cars in order to measure distance, time, and mass for their cars. They use these measurements to calculate average speed and kinetic energy, then create a slide show to visually explain how the car...
Curated OER
Comparison of Different Methods for Determining Stream Flow at a Stream Site
Students make measurements and calculations to determine the stream flow of an outdoor stream site. In this stream characteristics instructional activity, students travel to a field site to construct a transect across a stream and...
Curated OER
So Fast! So Slow!
Fifth graders give examples of objects that move slow and fast. In this physics instructional activity, 5th graders rank animals according to how quickly they move. They create a bar graph of organisms versus rates of speed.
Curated OER
Rope Volleyball
Students use a jump rope as a net and volley a ball or balloon over the net a specified number of times. They work cooperatively and improve their eye-hand coordination as they play a fast-paced game of jump-rope volleyball.
Curated OER
Take-Home Midterm Exam #3
The University of Hawaii has published a vast collection of midterm and final exams for their Physics 152 course. This particular exam offers a variety of assessment methods, and covers the topic of electromagnetic radiation....
Discovery Education
Submarines and Aircraft Carriers: The Science of Nuclear Power
As physics masters view this presentation, they learn how nuclear power is used in submarines. They use Google Maps to plot a course through the ocean and calculate the time required for surfacing and traveling. They learn about fission,...
Curated OER
Deep Impact Comet Encounter
Physics apprentices analyze the impact of NASA's Impactor as it collided with the comet Tempel 1 in July of 2005. They calculate the mass and speed of the comet, along with the distance it might drift off of its orbit over time. This...
Curated OER
Math for the Frontier
Make history come to life by using the Frontier House series to engage students in the past. Your class will "prepare" for a trip to 1833 Montana. They will learn about homesteading, frontier life, inflation, and cost of living. Using...
Exploratorium
Diffraction
Kindle knowledge of how light travels by using this activity in your physical science curriculum. By setting up a candle flame or flashlight bulb and viewing it through a slit, observers of light see evidence of its wave characteristic....
Curated OER
The Basics: Physical Science
Students view a video on friction and examine how friction and gravity affect some sports. In this investigative lesson students write a paragraph and draw a picture that illustrates how friction and gravity affect sports.
Curated OER
Picket Fence Free Fall
Students measure acceleration using a Picket Fence and a Photogate. In this physics lesson, students drop an object and measure the acceleration of the object free falling. They log their data using the TI.