PHET
Forces and Motion
The average American will move 12 times, which results in a lot of moving furniture! Class members consider the forces required to move objects with a creative simulation that opens with the forces required to push a filing cabinet....
PHET
Forces and Motion: Basics
How is tug of war related to pushing a refrigerator? Here's a simulation connects these two activities with Newton's First Law of Motion. Four different simulations allow scholars to explore net force with tug of war, motion with pushing...
Curated OER
The Slant on Slides Lab
In this inclined planes learning exercise, students investigate the effort force needed to move a 1 kg weight up a ramp to different distances on the ramp. Students calculate the work input and output for each trial as well as the...
PHET
Atomic Interactions
Who knew atoms could be attracted to each other? A simulation allows learners to see how forces between atoms influence the attraction between them. Classes see the attractive and repulsive forces adjusting as distance between atoms...
Curated OER
First Class Lever Lab
In this first class lever worksheet, students investigate the mechanical advantage of this simple machine. Students change the effort arm and the resistance arm and calculate the resistance force, effort force and the mechanical...
Curated OER
Just a Little Bit of Effort: Exploring Levers
Young scholars build models of types of levers. In this simple machines lesson, students use dowels and modified wooden rulers to build different types of levers. They compete to create the most efficient lever in the class.
PBIS World
Forced-Choice Reinforcement Menu
Find the best way to appeal to the kids in your class with a positive reinforcement survey. Using forced choices, they decide which of two options would be better for them, based on adult approval, peer approval, independent rewards,...
PHET
Gravity And Orbits
Have you ever wanted to turn off gravity? This simulation allows learners to do just that in addition to altering other variables. Scholars can move the sun, Earth, moon, and space station to see how distance affects gravitational pull....
Curated OER
Lifting Lever
In this lever worksheet, students build a lever using cardboard, a yardstick and paper cups with pennies. They vary the distance the effort is from the fulcrum and determine how much effort is needed to lift the load.
Curated OER
Levers and Pulleys
Seventeen pages of material leave you well-prepared to carry out this activity on levers and pulleys. Photos and diagrams make the instructions clear; resource links provide additional information. The missing aspects of this teacher's...
Curated OER
Force and Gliders
Students explore physics by creating data graphs in class. In this flight properties lesson plan, students read the book Flying Machine and identify the force, resistance and construction necessary to keep a glider in the air. Students...
Curated OER
Lifting a Load
Students experiments with levers to determine if the amount of force needed to lift a load is always the same. For this physics lesson, students use Lab-Pro data collector as they experiment with the fulcrum placement to measure the work...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Learners explore the concepts of force and effort by observing simple machines. In this physics lesson, students attempt to sharpen a pencil without any help, bite into an orange with their lips curled over their teeth, and other...
Curated OER
Introduction to Work
Fifth graders define work, force, and energy and calculate work done using a simple formula. They observe the teacher using an Equi-beam and identify the fulcrum, calculate different work problems, and participate in a class discussion.
Curated OER
As Air Force Grows, So Does Iraqis' Pride
Students explore the Air Force's involvement in the Gulf War. In this history lesson plan, students read an article from USA Today about the Gulf War, then answer several questions to check their understanding of the article.
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...
Curated OER
Work, Power, and Mechanical Efficiency
In this forces activity, students review the equations for work, power, and efficiency and then use these equations to solve 9 word problems.
National Academy of Sciences
Mitigation Simulator
The United States has more per capita emissions than any other country in the world. An eye-opening simulation encourages users to explore environmental goals and factors that affect climate change by balancing different priorities....
K20 LEARN
Civil Rights for All: Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was only the beginning. Using images and a series of queries, learners consider current fights for equality. After viewing video clips profiling the women's rights movement, the American Indian Movement, and...
Curated OER
The Science of Hurricanes
Students are introduced to the science of hurricanes in an effort to highlight how forces change the speed and direction of motion.
Curated OER
Work
Ninth graders determine when work is being done on an object. They define work and calculate work for several examples. They define and give examples of force and distance and define power and calculate power. They determine the...
Curated OER
Positioning the fulcrum in class one levers
Students explore the relationship between force and the distance of the load from the fulcrum. In this experimental lesson students get into groups and make a lever and record the force that is needed to move it, they then try this with...
Curated OER
Balloonautics
Students are introduced to basic aerodynamics through a discussion of thrust and drag and a hands-on activity. They examine the forces of thrust, drag, air pressure, aerodynamic shapes and Newton's Third Law Of Motion.
Curated OER
Toothpick Bridge Design
Eighth graders are introduced to what makes a strong, sound structure. They explore about the truss structure, the importance of the strength of the triangle and the distribution of forces along the truss. Students work in teams to...