Curated OER
Magnetic Car
In this magnetic car worksheet, students learn how to use simple household items to create a magnetic car. Students learn that magnets have two poles and when the same poles face each other it causes a force of repulsion which moves the...
Curated OER
How Fast Is Your Car?
Eighth graders discover the relationship between speed, distance, and time. They calculate speed and represent their data graphically. They, in groups, design a ramp for their matchbox car. The goal is to see who's ramp produces the...
Curated OER
Friction in Our Lives
Students explore force and friction. In this force and friction lesson, students discover everyday examples of how friction helps and hinders things we do. Students create a ramp to test the speed of their car. Students use different...
Curated OER
F = a, Inertia, and Friction
Fourth graders use a matchbox car to push across a hard surface and observe what happens. They then push the car across a soft or rough surface and discover what happens. The two ideas are discusses as Newton's First and Second Laws of...
Curated OER
Mr. and Miss Big Feet
Third graders experiment with gravitational force. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders send matchbox cars off a ramp while changing the amount of weight attached to the car. Students record their data and discuss the results.
Curated OER
Beep Beep!
Students use sidewalk chalk to draw roads,streets, houses and buildings. Students use matchbox cars and trucks to drive on streets and roads they drew.
Curated OER
Race the Track! Shoot the Loop
Students experiment with a steel ball and matchbox car to find the effects of force and motion. In this force and motion lesson, students assemble a track, conduct experiments and record on a shoot the loop worksheet. Students change the...
Curated OER
Ratios
Students explore the concept of ratios. For this ratios lesson, students use matchbox cars and models of spaceships to explore ratios. Students determine scale for the above mentioned objects in this lecture style lesson.
Curated OER
Ramp Builder
Learners plan and build a ramp designed for maximum distance a car can travel. In this physics and data collection math lesson plan, students work in groups to design a ramp using various household materials. Learners test small cars on...
Curated OER
A Hilly Ride
Fifth graders investigate situations that show how kinetic and potential energy are exchanged. They determine how friction is a source of energy transfer from kinetic to thermal energy by experimenting with a car and track. They answer...
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
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
A Hilly Ride
Different types of energy are the focus of this science resource. Learners identify situations in which kinetic and potential energy are exchanged. They conduct an in-class inquiry which leads them to discover that there is a limit to...
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Curated OER
Attract or Repel?
Opposites attract with a fun science experiment on magnets. With a short paragraph on background knowledge, the lab sheet prompts third and fourth graders to choose which pairs of magnets will attract, and which pairs will repel. A...
Curated OER
Sink or Float?
Students predict and test different items to see if they sink or float. In this sink and float lesson plan, students predict whether an item is buoyant or not, and learn that size and weight do not matter when it comes to buoyancy.
Curated OER
It's All About Scale
Sixth graders investigate scale models of toys. In this scale models of toys lesson, 6th graders bring in toys from home to measure. Students discuss scale and what scale is used with their toys. Students determine the life size...
Curated OER
Designing Detectives
Third graders explore the idea of formulating a hypothesis and designing an experiment to test the hypothesis.
Curated OER
Pasta Bridges
Students analyze the correct use of technology as it relates to math and science. In this science lesson, students investigate force and weight as it relates to building an object. They build a bridge and draw conclusion based on the...
Curated OER
Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Students plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far. After each group has tested out their ramps, allow them to test their design against the record previously established by the prototype ramp.
Curated OER
Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Students design, build, and test their own ramps. They are introduced to a variety of materials and explore putting them together. Students engage in an inquiry-based learning experience to reinforce math, science, and technology...
Curated OER
An Invitation to Simple Machines
Third graders explore simple machines as a way of helping the principle with a hurt foot manuever his way around the campus.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Simple Machines Internet Research
Learners identify six types of simple machines, then use the Internet for research.
Curated OER
OPEC and the Energy Crisis
Students color the Middle East Nations of OPEC on outline maps. They discuss and watch a video about the United States reliance on oil producing nations of the Middle East. They participate in a discussion of the problems of the gas...