Las Cumbres Observatory
Astronaut Training: Taste
Gravity isn't the only thing astronauts lose in space. Learners investigate why astronauts complain about a loss of taste while in space in a hands-on activity. They taste test foods while limiting their other senses and rate each food...
Curated OER
Physical Science: Gravity
Students investigate the properties of force and gravity and their effects on everyday life. In groups, they test various balls by bouncing them on different surfaces and observe the properties. In another activity, they test marbles and...
Florida International University
Simulating Microgravity with Buoyancy
How do astronauts know how to live and work in a weightless environment? It doesn't come naturally! Junior physicists conduct experiments to examine the link between buoyancy and microgravity. Each activity illustrates a different aspect...
Curated OER
Let's Think About... Magnets and Gravity
Students watch an episode of the PBS show "Jay Jay the Jet Plane," and explore magnets and gravity. They conduct various experiments involving magnets and sand, bean bags, and a fishing pole with magnets.
Concord Consortium
Gravity
Weight is a function of the distance from sea level. Learners explore the many implications of this fact in an inquiry-based task. Given the function, pupils answer questions before manipulating the function to rewrite the distance from...
Curated OER
Get a Leg Up
Traveling through space is an amazing experience, but it definitely takes a toll on the body. After reading an article and watching a brief video, learners perform an experiment that simulates the effects of zero gravity on the human body.
Curated OER
Weightlessness Demonstration
Students investigate gravity. In this weightless lesson students complete a lab activity about how a free fall might effect how one perceives gravity.
Curated OER
Weightlessness Demonstration
Students explore the concept that free-fall eliminates the local effects of gravity. They discuss what an Earth-orbiting spacecraft experience is like as well as the terminology of weightlessness. Their lab experiment commences.
Curated OER
Toys in Space
Pupilsexplore how gravity affects the operation of toys and simple machines. They watch a video and experiment with simple machines.
Curated OER
Mass
Students participate in a qualitative discussion of the distinction between weight and mass, followed by a description of astronaut mass measurements in a zero-g environment.
Curated OER
Weight No More
Students relate the concept of gravity to math. For this algebra lesson, students define scientific terminology relative to gravity, weight and centripetal force. They measure the different dimensions of a cylinder as they discuss the...
BioEd Online
Butterflies in Space
How does gravity affect the life cycle of a butterfly? Learn first-hand what types of investigations astronauts perform in space by following along with one of NASA's experiments. Create butterfly habitats in the classroom with specific...
Curated OER
Weightlessness
Young scholars use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
Curated OER
Life in Space: International Space Station
Young scholars explore the potential challenges of living in space. For this investigative lesson students search the Internet to locate 16 nations that are working together to build the Independent Space Station, then they divide into...
Curated OER
Far Out!
Students research and compare/contrast how routine tasks on Earth would be without gravity. They read and discuss the article "The Life Galactic: A Lot of Work, a Little Play, Plenty of E-Mail." In groups they write a pitch for a TV...
Curated OER
LIFE IN SPACE Human Body: An Un-Earthly Home
Students examine an effect of zero gravity on the human body using a baby food jar, balloons and a jar with a large mouth.
Curated OER
Bones
Fifth graders observe real bones and models to learn about the structure and function of the skeletal system. In this skeletal system lesson plan, 5th graders manipulate objects and models of bones. They handle real bones and determine...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students investigate how water goes from a solid to a liquid then back again. In this experimental lesson students conduct their own experiment and see how water changes form.
Curated OER
Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
Curated OER
Mass
Students determine how mass is a property of an object that can be measured, and examine how size affects mass. They work with balances and determine what units of measurement are associated with mass. Finally, they determine the...
Curated OER
Mass and Weight
Learners explore the science topics of mass and weight. In this mass and weight lesson, students determine the difference between mass and weight as they discuss the definitions and the application the definitions.