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Physics and Me

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare and contrast mass and weight. In this physics lesson, 6th graders calculate speed given distance and time information. They construct a rocket and relate this to Newton's 3rd Law of motion.
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"Stick to It!" Properties of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the strength of different adhesives. In this physical science lesson plan, students compare the force needed to peel adhesive tapes from a surface. They analyze collected data and make a generalization.
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Gravity Gets You Down

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design an experiment to investigate how objects with different masses fall. In this physics lesson, students predict how these objects will fall in a vacuum tube. They write a report explaining experimental results and conclusion.
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What's in Wetland Soil?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the organic and inorganic components of soil. In this environmental science lesson, students identify the factors that influence soil formation. They collect soil samples, conduct tests, and analyze the results.
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"The Emperor's New Clothes and Mahler's Ninth Symphony" Writing to Explain, Confidently and Efficiently, Even Physics!

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students combine their study of physics with their study of best practices when writing to inform. They communicate with experts using e-mail before creating a brochure based on their study of universal gravitation.
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Separation of Unknowns in a Liquid

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify the different components of a given sample using chromatography. In this chemistry lesson, students compare paper and column chromatography. They collect data and construct data tables.
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Pick a Pet

For Teachers K - 1st
Students design informational materials to educate people on the importance of matching a new pet to the family's lifestyle and living arrangements. Students use critical thinking skills to make a decision on the appropriate choice for a...
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Marble Madness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine the velocity of a marble rolling down the incline. In this physics lesson, students identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment. They construct and analyze a graph.
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Race the Track! The Time Challenge (lesson 2)

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students design a track that keeps a ball in motion for 5 seconds or longer. In this designing lesson plan, students explore force, gravity, and cause and effect when it comes to science and building before building their own track.
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Principles Of Flight: Wings That Spin

For Teachers K - 1st
Students discover how flight is possible.  In this physics lesson, students investigate the properties of a blimp and gyro-copter, comparing rotating wings and fixed wings of aircraft.  Students create their own model aircraft...
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Go Car, Go!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design and build their own car. In this physics lesson, students collect data to determine the speed of the car. They plot the data on the graph analyze the relationship between variables.
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The Catapult

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify the advantages and disadvantages of a catapult as a weapon. In this physics instructional activity, students construct their own catapult. They investigate how changing one variable affects results.
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Identification of Different Compounds and Substances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of tests to identify unknown compounds. In this chemistry lesson plan, students compare the physical and chemical properties of substances. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
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Resistor and Resistance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore electrical resistance through various experiments. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate resistance using a mathematical formula. They explain how colors identify the resistance value of a resistor.
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Trajectory and Range of a Projectile

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the factors affecting projectile trajectory. In this physics lesson, students calculate the range, time and speed of projectiles using mathematical equations.
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The Wheels on the Bot Go Round and Round, Part I

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students determine how speed is measured. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to find out if the robot's drive wheel size affects its speed. They collect data and discuss results.
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Race the Track! Jump the Gap

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...
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Current Thinking About Magnets

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students construct their own magnet and wire device. In this inquiry lesson, students investigate the factors affecting the strength of magnetic forces. They manipulate different variable to determine their effect.
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How Do You Move Along the Earth?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers determine their own walking and running velocity. In this physics lesson, students calculate velocity using distance and time information. They compare human and animal speeds.
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Balancing The Day Away In Grade 2

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders sped the day exploring about balance by playing with and making balancing toys. They discover how varying the amount and position of mass affects the toys' balance. Pupils explore gravity and balance while playing with the...
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Water Lesson Plan

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the importance of water in our daily lives. In this physics lesson, students calculate the pressure of water tower systems. They investigate the effect of certain variables using a computer simulation.
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Experiments with Photovoltaic Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. In this series of physics lesson, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their different uses in other...
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"Go-Car" Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students construct a car based on directions given. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate average speed using distance and time information. They collect data and create a graph of distance vs. time.
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Newton's Three Laws of Motion Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore Newton's three laws of motion using a variety of activities. In this physics lesson, students calculate the average speed of a vehicle they constructed using distance and time information. They identify and draw the...