Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Mechanics Mania

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Through ten lessons and numerous activities, students explore the natural universal rules engineers and physicists use to understand how things move and stay still. Together, these rules are called "mechanics." The study of mechanics is...
Activity
Michigan Reach Out

Nasa: Soda Pop Can Hero Engine

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore all three parts of Newton's Laws of Motion by observing a spinning pop can.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Dish It Out, Simple Machine Game

For Students 1st - 5th
Explore the physics of motion and simple machines with this interactive game. Try a pre-made challenge or set up ramps in your own challenge to get the mysterious Dim Sum ball into the take-out container.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Work, Energy, and Power: Mechanical Energy Is Conserved

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive exercise, explore the quantitative relationship between work and mechanical energy in situations in which there are no external forces doing work.
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Circular and Satellite Motion: Amusement Park Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive module, students explore the centripetal acceleration experienced by riders within the circular-shaped sections of a roller coaster track.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: How Far?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
To learn how friction affects motion, students explore how different textures provide varying amounts of friction to objects moving across them. They build a tool to measure the amount of friction between a note card and various surfaces...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Do Submarines Need Fins?

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this science project, you can investigate how submarines use stabilizing fins to move forward. Exploring friction and buoyant force you will get closer to understanding how these large ships function. Research resources are included...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Experiencing Newton's Laws of Motion

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson will approach the study of Newton's 3 Laws of Motion using McGraw-Hill Science textbook Unit F. The students will be given an overview of the laws and vocabulary words to study. After introducing and explaining the concept of...
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Engineering Ups and Downs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Engineering design lesson examines the principles behind working elevators. Teams of young scholars explore how elevators work, then design, build, and evaluate their own elevator to service a toy car garage.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Sliding Textbooks

For Teachers 5th - 7th
In this culminating activity of the unit which highlights how forces play a role in engineering design and material choices, students explore and apply their knowledge of forces, friction, acceleration, and gravity in a two-part experiment.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Newton's 3rd Law: Coin Flick

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this elementary physics investigation, students explore Newton's 3rd Law of Motion: To every action there is an equal & opposite reaction. Pairs of students will line up 5 pennies, (touching each other), between 2 rulers. The row...
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Engineering Air Traffic

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students work in teams to explore how radar and computer technology is used to provide the necessary data to air traffic controllers. Students become "engineers" as they work to find ways to enhance the current air traffic control system.
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Working With Watermills

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Teams of students design, build, test, and evaluate a working watermill made from everyday materials. Lesson explores how watermills generate energy from water, while students gain an understanding of the structural engineering design...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Balloon & Straw Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Investigate air pressure, motion and the forces of air currents using a bendy straw, a balloon and a rubber band.
Activity
Hunkins Experiments

Hunkin's Experiments: Balance

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This pair of...
Article
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Basketball

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore different ways to shoot a basketball.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Rube Goldberg Invention Ii

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore motion, force and energy by building a complicated contraption to pour milk into a glass.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Falling Slinky Model

For Students 9th - 10th
A model of a slinky consisting of a string of twenty masses connected by springs. When the slinky is released, it falls and retracts in a series of movements. The motion of the slinky can be explored by moving the masses to different...
Interactive
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Newton's Laws: Elevator Ride Interactive

For Students 9th - 10th
Have you ever felt that queasy feeling in a moving elevator? Explore the physics behind the sensations of weightlessness and weightiness. Teacher notes and a downloadable handout are also provided.
Lesson Plan
Other

Mattel: Hot Wheels: Speedometry

For Teachers 4th - 5th
This resource is part of a two unit curriculum designed for fourth-graders using the 5E Instructional Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate) to support students as they investigate the effect that height and other...
Website
Other

Physics Quests

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource links to many web-based activities which allow students to explore and examine physic principles and concepts on their own. Links to other good physics sites are also here.
Interactive
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Newtons Laws: Skydiving Interactive

For Students 9th - 10th
Students explore the motion of an object falling under the influence of air resistance. Force arrows and values are shown as the object falls, and a speedometer displays the speed of the object. The mass of the falling object and the...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Snacks

For Students 5th - 9th
Exploratorium's snacks aren't edible, but they are good! Use your science skills to discover gravity, learn about biology, do fun experiments.