Lesson Plan
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Temperature Changes Everything

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine the effect of temperature on the motion of particles. They study the difference between particles in a gas, liquid, and a solid and see how the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases can be explained by particle...
Lesson Plan
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Energy and Energy Conversion

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate different energy conversions through hands-on activities. In this energy activity, 3rd graders move through four stations and conduct experiments illustrating energy conversions. Wave energy, chemical energy,...
Lesson Plan
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Antacid Tablet Race

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars complete experiments to determine how rocket fuel is affected by surface area and temperature. They compare the reaction rates of antacid tablets. They discuss their results to complete the lesson.
Worksheet
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The Concept of Energy

For Students 7th - 10th
In this energy worksheet, students read about the discoveries of Galileo and how different philosophers contributed to our understanding of energy. Then students complete 4 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
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Waterskiing in Circles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss and give examples of Newton's three laws. They then answer questions in reference to Newton's three laws. One example of the questions that students answer is: A water-skier typically uses a 75 foot tow rope. The...
Lesson Plan
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Sand in Bottles

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders calculate the speed of bottles as they roll down a ramp with varying amounts of sand inside. Using their data, 8th graders estimate speed of three labeled bottles with different amounts of sand and compare those results...
Worksheet
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Electricity and Magnets

For Students 10th - 12th
In this physics review worksheet, learners compare average and instantaneous speed, review Newton's laws, electricity, and magnets. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank, 8 short answer questions, and 6 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
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Picket Fence Free Fall

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students measure acceleration using a Picket Fence and a Photogate. For this physics lesson, students drop an object and measure the acceleration of the object free falling. They log their data using the TI.  
Lesson Plan
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Electric Circuits

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students model the flow of electrons in a circuit, draw diagrams of an electric circuit and build an electric circuit. Students explain how to tell when the path of an electric circuit is complete, and test the conductivity of a variety...
Lesson Plan
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Tractor Construction

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students working in small groups will build tractors. They must design a tractor that is able to pull various weights.
Lesson Plan
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Science: Wind Power

For Teachers All
Students build models of wind turbines and experiment with different designs that will improve efficiency. Students will understand the use of wind power as a renewable resource.
Lesson Plan
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Hurricanes 1: The Science Of Hurricanes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to the science of hurricanes in an effort to highlight how forces change the speed and direction of motion. They list facts about hurricanes; including insights about the formation, movement, and impact hurricanes...
Worksheet
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Work and More Work

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science activity, students classify 6 actions as positive work, negative work, or no work. Students also design their own experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Fast Cars and Roll-Over

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students creat a ramp using cardboard and tape. They follow directions to perform an experiment to determine the degree of tilt needed to cause an empty milk carton to tip over. Students discuss their results in terms of center of gravity.
Lesson Plan
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Race the Track! Super Slope (Lesson One)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders utilize basic physics concepts to calculate speed of an object set in motion from various heights. In this basic physics lesson, 5th graders make observations, calculations, record data, and conclusions throughout experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Deducing Induction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how changing magnetic fields induce currents in loops and coils, determine orientation and magnitude of magnetic field, describe Michael Faraday's experiments that led to conclusion that changing magnetic force induces...
Lesson Plan
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Bernoulli's Principle

For Teachers 7th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Roller Coaster Fun

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders review the effects of gravity on how objects move. In groups, they design a roller coaster and share it with their classmates. Using materials given to them, they build their roller coaster and let a ball roll on the...
Lesson Plan
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Volume of Gas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas in a closed container. They measure the height of the water in their beaker/container, conduct their experiment, and create a graph to illustrate their data.
Lesson Plan
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Designing and Building Catapults

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a challenge to create a catapult that projects a marble or other projectile at least one meter. While experimenting they apply the Four Question Strategy to answer the question, " How can I make one modification...
Lesson Plan
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Me And My Shadow

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the concept of a shadow. They design a tool to create shadows for an experiment. They make observations and record the size and shape of shadows. The lesson contains background information for the teacher to deliver...
Lesson Plan
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Levers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders participate in a review discussion of the parts of a lever, resistance or load, fulcrum, and effort. Next, they complete activities at six experiment stations while collecting data that they share with the class. While...
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Simple Telegraph Machine

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students experiment and discuss circuits and how they work. In this science activity, students construct a telegraph machine using cardboard, wires, battery, electric tape and masking tape. They investigate what happens as the circuits...
Lesson Plan
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Roller Coasters

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Twisting and turning through the sky, roller coasters are popular attractions at amusement parks around the world, but how exactly do they work? Explore the physics behind these thrilling rides with an engineering design activity....