Lesson Plan
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Power Blackout Assessment

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss the importance of power grids in power generation. In this physics lesson, students explain the impact of power failure. They investigate the power blackout in 2003 and discuss their findings.
Lesson Plan
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The Invisible Zoo

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students differentiate cold and warm-blooded animals using infrared images. In this physics instructional activity, students compare the images formed by infrared and visible light. They explain how scientists use infrared technology to...
Lesson Plan
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The Ultimate Roller Coaster Contest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explain how conservation of energy applies to roller coasters. In this physics lesson, students construct their own coasters according to a specified criteria. They make modifications to their design when...
Lesson Plan
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Magnetic Discovery Bottle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the properties of magnets. In this physical science lesson plan, students will go through a short 5E instructional activity that allows the students to study magnet materials and predict what will and will not...
Lesson Plan
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Atlatl (Native Americans)

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students discover what an atlatl is and how to use it. For this Native American lesson, students discuss the history of the Native American atlatl and practice throwing with it. Students will analyze the effects of the atlatl in terms of...
Lesson Plan
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Car Show

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students race homemade cars. In this physics lesson, students present their cars to judges and then race the cars on the prepared track. Several tips for setting the school gym up to host the event are suggested.
Lesson Plan
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Temperature and Pressure

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct an experiment to determine the relationship between pressure and temperature. In this physical science lesson, students collect data and graph them. They compare the results of Celsius and Fahrenheit data sheets.
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Build Your Own Car

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students determine the factors that affect car speed. In this physics lesson, students design a car that can travel fast and far. They record test run data and use them to construct graphs.
Lesson Plan
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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...
Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Sticky Engineering Challenge

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore the properties of different adhesives. In this physics lesson plan, students construct a building structure and determine what glue to use in the process. They present their design in class.
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Applied Science- Physics

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate how something at home uses physics to work. In this practical physics lesson plan, students develop a theory of their own to conclude how an object might work. This lesson plan includes a worksheet.
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Electricity and Magnetism

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders compare electricity and magnetism. In this science lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the concepts of electricity and magnetism and brainstorm examples of electrical and magnetic forces.
Lesson Plan
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Balsa Wood Airplane Flight and Speed Correlation

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders calculate the average speed of their balsa wood airplane. In this physics lesson, 9th graders build their own airplane and make necessary modifications to to make it fly straight. They interpret distance and time graph...
Lesson Plan
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Friction Restriction: Creating a Design Plan to Redesign the Tread of Tennis Sneakers to Increase Friction

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students evaluate the friction of tennis sneakers and redesign them to increase friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate starting, sideways and forward stopping friction. Using quantitative data, they prove that redesigning...
Lesson Plan
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Wind Power: From Eyesore to Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design their own wind turbine according to client's needs. In this science and technology lesson plan, students analyze the pros and cons of using wind power. They construct a model of their proposed wind turbine and present it...
Lesson Plan
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Spin Your Turbines

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Pupils relate electrical power and how it works to math. In this geometry lesson, students analyze how a hydroelectric plant works and calculate the amount of electricity that is produced by a typical generator. This lesson uses physics...
Lesson Plan
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You Drive Me crazy

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students calculate the distance and acceleration of an object. In this algebra lesson, students collect data and create table and graphs to analyze it. They complete a lab as they collect and analyze data on acceleration and distance.
Worksheet
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Fundamentals of Radio Communication

For Students 12th
Twelfth graders explain the role of electromagnetic waves and antenna in radio communication. For this lesson, 12th graders examine circuit diagrams and solve wave related problems. They also calculate theoretical antenna...
Lesson Plan
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Analyzing Motion of a Tossed Ball

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate the parameters involved with launching a basketball at an angle.  In this motion lesson students predict and sketch graphs that show the motion of a ball toss. 
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Gravity - The Glue of the Universe

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students explore physics by conducting a class experiment. For this gravitational force lesson, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Students utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a satellite crashing...
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Sound: Are All Sounds Loud?

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore physics by utilizing education software. In this sound properties activity, 1st graders discuss the different sounds associated with different materials and perform an object dropping experiment in class....
Lesson Plan
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The Science of Forensics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the importance of details in evidence gathering, as well as the relationship between chemistry, physics and biology.  In this forensics lesson students divide into groups and look at fingerprints and fill out an...
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How Far Will It Roll?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate physics by conducting an experiment.  In this gravity lesson, 3rd graders create a ramp using books and paper which they roll a marble down.  Students utilize the scientific method to predict and...
Worksheet
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Reflective Writing

For Students Pre-K - 6th
In this reflective writing worksheet, students write about physics. Students write about learning physics as well  as what they like most about physics.