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Activity
Curated OER

The Physics of Sports: An 8th Grade Physical Science Project

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Explore the relationship between sports and physics in a cross-curricular lesson. Middle and high schoolers prepare a multimedia presentation based on a chosen sport. They answer five physics vocabulary questions about how the laws of...
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App
Freecloud Design

Monster Physics™

For Students 6th - 12th
Physics fanatics will shriek over this monster-themed construction application! They design an invention with the intention of competing one of 50 missions and test it out with real physics applications. 
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Activity
DiscoverE

Slinky® Science

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Toys are great for learning about physics. Scholars use Slinky® toys to study Newton's laws of motion and types of energy. After a little play, they then model longitudinal and transverse waves with the Slinky® toys.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing With Science

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scientists investigate the scientific concepts and principles that help make common toys such as hula hoops, yo-yos, slinkies, and silly putty work. As a class, they read "Backyard Rocket Science, Served Wet" to get a look behind...
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Activity
Newspaper Association of America

Cereal Bowl Science and Other Investigations with the Newspaper

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
What do cereal, fog, and space shuttles have to do with newspapers? A collection of science investigations encourage critical thinking using connections to the various parts of the newspaper. Activities range from building origami seed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ups and Downs of Technology

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars create a visual timeline of skyscrapers built in the past 20 years. For this physical science lesson, students research important facts about the building. They discuss the challenges architects face when building...
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Activity
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IOP Institute of Physics

Physics in Concert

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and electricity, young...
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Lesson Plan
Rochester Institute of Technology

Molecules and Fuel Cell Technology

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A fuel cell is where the jailer keeps gas guzzlers. Scholars review chemical reactions, chemical bonds, and chemical structure in order to apply these concepts. Participants construct fuel cell kits, using electrolysis to run the car and...
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Worksheet
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Nuts! Calculating Thermal Efficiency

For Students 6th - 9th Standards
Oh nuts! Do macadamias or almonds produce more thermal energy? Energy enthusiasts find out with this experiment. The objective is to demonstrate to your class how the chemical energy contained in foods can be converted into useable...
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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Understanding Elements

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Nothing says organization quite like a table. The third lesson in a six-part Mixtures and Solutions unit teaches young scientists about elements and the periodic table. They learn how the periodic table is organized and about the...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

A Day in the Life of an Ocean Explorer

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
What's life like aboard an ocean exploration vessel? Junior oceanographers examine the important role of communication in ocean research in instructional activity two of a five-part series from NOAA. The materials introduce the class to...
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Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Consumer Preferences in Lighting

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What is a watt? This tongue-twisting, mind-bending question and others are answered through this instructional activity on the different lighting options available. With the support of a PowerPoint, teach your physical science class...
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Unit Plan
Out-of-School Time Resource Center

Nutrition and Physical Activity

For Teachers 1st - 6th Standards
Emerging nutritionists explore what it means to be healthy. In the beginning of the unit, your class will examine the five food groups and learn how food gets from the farm to our plates. This leads into the investigation of the...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Fun Look at Material Science

For Students 6th - 12th
Introduce materials science with a class demonstration. After showing a PowerPoint presentation on materials and their properties, instructors provide a ceramic tile, a Popsicle stick, a paper clip, and a plastic bag as examples of...
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Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Radio Reception and Transmission

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
After reading about radio transmission, application, and the difference between AM and FM, small teams of engineers use a kit to construct an FM radio and then send and receive broadcasts. This is an ideal activity for middle school STEM...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Call to Arms: Robotic Analogues for Human Structures

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Investigate deep sea discovery through the emerging technology being built.  In this physical science lesson, students analyze the different types of motion available in the human arm.  Students research educational websites discussing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get Charged!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the concept of electricity in this activity based unit.  In this physical science lesson plan, students focus on electricity and electrical engineering. The teaching unit includes 5 activities to develop students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Junior Solar Sprint Series: Gears and Drive Belts

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Activate middle schoolers' minds with this physical science activity. Learners vary the diameter of gears and the number of teeth on them to find how energy output is affected. This writeup features well-developed background information...
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Trick or Science: Catching the Light

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Your class might be surprised to learn that mirrors have been around since the first century AD! Young scientists explore reflection and refraction of light through a series of challenges. They use this knowledge to design their own...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment, Technology, and Culture of the Chumash People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an understanding of the interrelatedness of technology, culture, and environment as illustrated by the Chumash culture. They research the tribe and complete a table for the Chumash people describing their environment,...
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Activity
Oregon State

World Map of Plate Boundaries

For Teachers 4th - 10th Standards
Young geologists piece together the puzzle of plate tectonics in an earth science lesson. Given a physical map of the world, they search for land formations that indicate the location of different types of plate boundaries.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics of a Slingstone: Slingstones in flight

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students gain a better understanding of the technology used by ancient Chamorros.  In this physics lesson students theorize ways to forcefully throw a fist-sized object and discuss the technology behind a slingstone.
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Measuring the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Scientists need to figure out how to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, but the magnetic field of the spacecraft is interfering with their readings. Scholars attempt to solve the problem that has perplexed NASA scientists for years.
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Science and Engineering Conference

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scientists present their experimental designs from the previous experiment. The ninth lesson in the series outlines what learners should present, what class discussions should happen, and the solution NASA came up with for the same...