Explore the connection of light, reflection, and mirrors. A comprehensive lesson introduces the basics of light in relation to reflection and mirrors. After an explanation of the vocabulary, the presentation shows how to create ray...

Explore how sound travels as waves with a straightforward lesson that explains the basics of waves in relation to sound. The presentation considers sound waves in both open and closed pipes and shows how to calculate wavelength and...

Eighth graders examine the relationship between speed, time and distance.  In this motion lesson students complete a lab activity that allows them to calculate average speed. 

Students discover that if a distance is traveled in two or more segments at different average speeds, you cannot average the average speeds. Instead the total distance traveled must be divided by the total elapsed time. Students practice...

Eighth graders calculate the speed of a falling object using measurements from a falling rocket. They report data from their data sheet to the teacher to record on the board or on the overhead transparency and discuss the results with...

Students apply what they recall about objects in motion by animati ng sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions. They animate the orbital motions of the Earth, the space shuttle, and the Moon based on calculations of...

Third graders fly miniature airplanes to discover characteristics related to velocity and average speed. After measuring the time and distance of their flights, 3rd graders calculate the average velocity of their planes.

Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics instructional activity, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.

In this matter in motion worksheet, students answer the provided questions as it relates to motion, speed, velocity, and acceleration. Students mark given statements as either true or false.

Eighth graders examine the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration.  In this velocity instructional activity students read and construct a line graph and a bar graph to show information about velocities of sports...

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.

In this motion instructional activity, students calculate the initial angular acceleration, and the angular speed before and after impact for different objects. This instructional activity has 3 problems to solve.

Students explore distance a toy car travels by changing the amount of batteries used to power the toy car.  In this force and motion lesson, students calculate the average speed of a car while investigating the power from various...

For this equations worksheet, students use quantitative statements to sole for average speed. This worksheet has 4 problems to solve.

Learners calculate their heart rate before and after exercise. In this health instructional activity, students find their resting heart rate and then exercise for 5-10 minutes. Learners take their heart rate afterwards and observe the...

Young scholars are introduced to the regularities of planetary motion. They create a spreadsheet to calculate the speed of any orbiting body at apogee and perigee. Students then use the spreadsheet to compare the speeds of planets,...

Students explore dinosaurs. Students determine the relationship between leg length, stride length, and speed in humans and bipedal dinosaurs. Students analyze collected information. Based upon the data, dinosaur tracks, and fossils,...

Students collect data on running speeds of various individuals in class to determine the average running speed for a distance of 20 meters.

Students design and build a model downhill ski course that proves to be the fastest course at the Finish Line. They apply what they explore angles, slope, speed, and surface conditions to find the fastest course in the US.

In this circular motion worksheet, learners calculate the speed of circular motion as presented in each word problem. Students find the normal force as well as the frictionless force as it affect the circular motion of the object...

Students construct and race tin can cars. In this motion lesson plan, groups build tin racers, complete timed runs, and record their data on the provided worksheet. The teacher leads a discussion comparing data between groups. Specific...

Get things moving with this extensive collection of physical science resources. Covering the fundamentals of measurement, graphing, lab safety, and experimental design as well as the specific scientific concepts...

A fossil is worth a thousand words! Individuals craft their own amber fossil of an insect in addition to molds and casts of seashells. A third activity takes the lesson a notch higher: Learners measure stride lengths between tracks and...

Calculating average speeds is not as simple as finding an average. The lesson introduces class members to rational functions by presenting a problem about finding an average speed for the rest of a trip. Pupils develop an equation to...