NASA
Rocket Wind Tunnel
Using a teacher-built wind tunnel constructed from a paper concrete tube form, a fan, and a balance, individuals determine the amount of drag their rocket design will experience in flight. Pupils make modifications to increase the...
Yale University
Airplane Mathematics
The history of aerodynamics is rich with experimentation and international collaboration. Author Joyce Bryant relays this dynamic past and provides math word problems using the formula of lift, the force that makes airplanes fly. She...
Curated OER
Investigation 2 - Zoom Balls
Third graders create Zoom Balls to explain how sometimes both forces of push and pull need to be used at the same time.
Curated OER
Newton's Third Law
In this Newton's Third Law worksheet, students complete a table identifying the action force and reaction force of several examples. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of Newton's Third Law by filling in missing blanks and...
Curated OER
Battle of Britain
In this World War II worksheet, learners read an article about the Battle of Britain and then respond to 8 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Flight Physics
Students apply the knowledge of Bernoulli's Principle and construct simple aerodynamic designs. In this flight physics lesson, students explore the history of man's interest in flying and the forces influencing an object in flight by...
Curated OER
Bernoulli's Principle
Students explore Bernoulli's principle, how it is related to flight, and the effect of lift, thrust, and drag on flight. They design and develop an experiment that tests for distance traveled by their paper airplane, and record and...
Curated OER
What is Work?
In this work worksheet, students will match vocabulary words with definitions: joule, Newton, force, and work. Then students will answer 8 problems based on the equation: work = force x distance.
Curated OER
Exploring Aerodynamics
Students explore aerodynamics. In this aerodynamics activity, students study the flight patterns of three paper airplanes and discover the underlying principles of aerodynamics. Resources and grade level modifications are present.
Curated OER
UFOs
Learners, in groups, construct a catapult. Then they conduct a series of experiments by catapulting a marshmallow, using different lengths of spoons, across the room. They predict, measure, and record the measured distance on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Balloon Rocket Race Track
Students discuss "How can we measure (or make it easier to record) the speed, distance or acceleration of the balloon?" They told that they are going to make a balloon racetrack. Pupils use meter sticks to accurately measure length and...
Curated OER
Newton Gets Me Moving
Fourth graders experiment with Newton's three laws of motion. In this motion instructional activity, 4th graders explore the three laws of motion and then work in small groups collaborating while experimenting with these laws....
It's About Time
Defy Gravity
Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...
Curated OER
The Flying Paperclip
Learners investigate items that interrupt magnetic fields. In this physics lesson, students explain why the paper clip in the experiment seems to fly. They write a detailed explanation of what they did in this activity.
Curated OER
THE FLIGHT PLATFORM
Students examine forces that effect flight. In this flight lesson students answer questions that are asked of them and the ones that they ask themselves.
Curated OER
The Effects on Flight Characteristics/Performance Due To Variations in Design of Sled Kites.
Students expand upon previous lessons with sled kites by varying the dimensions or materials while building a news sled kite while working in a team. They fly their original kites and the new ones under similar conditions to determine...
Curated OER
The Science of Airplane Flight
Students define terms, explain Bernoulli's principle and identify the control surfaces of an airplane. In this investigative lesson students complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Forces in Fluids
In this forces in fluids worksheet, learners answer questions as they relate to forces in fluids. Students complete a chart about atmospheric pressure.
Curated OER
Wright Flight
Students explain and explain the interactive relationships between forces of lift and gravity, thrust and drag, as they apply to airplanes in motion. They know that Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first airplane based on these...
Curated OER
How Things Fly
Students, by drawing on their own experiences, discuss and examine the basic physics of flight. They participate in a variety of activities regarding flight.
Curated OER
Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
Curated OER
What Makes a Kite Fly?
Ninth graders compare the nature of forces of gravity, lift, thrust, and drag. They select proper materials for making a kite and attach a proper tail. Students interpret and summarize the observations made during the flight of the kites.
Curated OER
Exploring the MapleCopter
Study explore the motion of maple seeds and design experiments to explain their spinning flight patterns. They make observations, explain ideas of motion, use models, analyze previous reports and experiments, identify relevant factors...
Curated OER
Soda Straw Rocket Activity
Students construct a rocket using soda straw. In this physics lesson, students determine the nose cone length that produces the best rocket. They explain the importance of using a control in an experiment.