Curated OER
Who Turned on the Lights?
Seventh graders discuss how energy is transformed from one form to another. In this physics lesson, 7th graders design and build their own hydro generator. They identify the factors that affect its energy production.
Curated OER
Ramp and Review
Learners participate in an activity in which they observe a ball as it rolls down an incline into a cup. They take measurements and use equations that describe the concepts of mechanical energy, work and power, momentum, and friction. ...
Curated OER
Energeia -- Kinetic & Potential Energy Investigation
Young scholars compare and contrast kinetic and potential energy. They complete demonstrations of each and test the effect of varying mass and height on each type of energy. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Falling Water
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. In seeing how falling water can...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Wind and Water Wheels
Students identify wind and water as natural resources that create energy. In this natural resources and energy use lesson, students work in groups to construct a pinwheel, then explore the effects of wind and water on the pinwheel....
Teach Engineering
Bouncing Balls
How high will it bounce? Groups determine the height different balls bounce off of different surfaces. By performing the necessary calculations, they determine the initial and final momentum of the balls. The included worksheet provides...
Curated OER
Biomass As a Fuel
Students investigate the use of biomass as a fuel. They discuss energy and its uses in their homes. They explore the two types of energy, potential and kinetic and examples of both types. They study the process of photosynthesis and...
Curated OER
Determining Momentum and Energy Loss of Balls Colliding Against Different Surfaces
Pupils experiment with the bounce of balls on various surfaces. For this physics lesson, students use various surfaces to bounce balls to study the momentum. This hands-on activity with the concepts of elasticity of surfaces which is...
Curated OER
Power, Work and the Waterwheel
Students use a two-liter bottle, dowel rod and index cards to design and construct a water wheel. They then calculate the power created and measure the work done by the water wheel in Watts and Joules.
Curated OER
What is Work?
Students investigate the connection between work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and heat. In this physics lesson plan, students use pulleys to produce mechanical advantages and incline planes to demonstrate energy conversion.
Curated OER
Water Pressure Blaster
Third graders complete an experiment to introduce them to the concept of water pressure. In this water pressure lesson plan, 3rd graders create pressure in a water bottle and observe the force of water that is created.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Interactive Gumball Machine
Sure, you may be able to build a better mousetrap, but what about a gum dispenser? In a fun engineering challenge, teams must design and build a working interactive gumball machine with specific constraints and criteria.
Curated OER
Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe
Eighth graders describe the energy transformations as cars travel over a roller coaster. They explain the principle of conservation of energy as it relates to a roller coaster ride. The integration of technology is done using educational...
Curated OER
Mechanical Properties of Chocolate: How Hard is your Chocolate?
Students calculate, measure and identify the hardness of various chocolate bars. They determine the hardness of the chocolate bar using quantitative data. Students make observations of the hardness of chocolate while dropping the...
Curated OER
Discovering How a Car Works
Learners explain the four stroke process in internal combustion engines. In this physics instructional activity, students role play this process and present their reenactment in class. They draw and label the diagram of an internal...
Curated OER
Circuit Lab
Students explore the properties of electricity. This lab shows students the need for a circuit in order to have a flow of electricity. It demonstrates Ohm's law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.
Curated OER
Mousetrap Cars
Use mousetrap cars to make hands on connections with concepts such as energy, friction, momentum, and simple machines.
Curated OER
Alexander Calder: Master of Balance
Students build simple mobiles. In this equilibrium lesson, students investigate the functions of three types of levers as they analyze artwork by Alexander Calder. Students then create their own simplified mobiles.
Curated OER
Agriculture Around the World
Students explore various kinds of farming methods around the world. For this history lesson, students view pictures of farming methods, then compare and contrast them in a class discussion with the methods of farming that are used...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.
Curated OER
Rocket Physics
Students investigate the relationship between impulse, momentum, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamic drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate data taken from launching a rocket. They compare the theoretical and...
Curated OER
Kepler's Second Law
Pupils gain an understanding of Kepler's 2nd law--that planets (and satellites) move fastest at their closest approach to the center of attraction, and slow down when far away. They explore the concepts of "potential energy" and "kinetic...
Curated OER
The Role of Enzymes
Learners explore the role of enzymes in chemical reactions. In this enzymes lesson plan, students use hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide to observe a chemical reaction. Learners observe the rates of reactions of chalk, hamburger,...
Curated OER
Exploring Magnetism in Solar Flares
Students apply concepts of magnetism to help them understand the production of solar flares. In this solar flare lesson, students complete activities and graphic organizers to help them learn about magnetic fields on the surface of the...