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.
Activity
Other

Federal Aviation Administration: Anti Gravity Marble [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This experiment examines Newton's Second Law of Motion. Learn how centrifugal and centripetal force help to keep a marble in a can when turned upside down.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Sesame Street

For Students Pre-K - K
Do you know how to get to Sesame Street? This collection is designed to engage preschoolers in everyday learning by teaching core skills in Math, Literacy, STEM, and Social and Emotional Development. Here you'll find hundreds of videos,...
Activity
University of Oregon

Uo: Cannon Simulator: Experimental Instructions

For Students 9th - 10th
This virtual experiment is designed to let the student measure the relation between muzzle velocity (which determines projectile energy), gravitational potential and the effects of frictional drag caused by wind speed blowing opposite to...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers:pendulum Challenge

For Students 1st - 5th
Observe the impact of weight on the speed of a pendulum.
Activity
University of California

Understanding Science: Newton's 2nd Law: Inquiry Approach Lesson

For Teachers 10th - 12th
For this lesson, students develop their own scientific experiment to test Newton's hypothesis that the acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting upon it and its mass. After completing their designed experiment, students...
eBook
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Circular, Satellite, Rotational: Inertia Right Hand Turn

For Students 9th - 10th
Many students of physics do not believe in centripetal/inward forces. Even after completion of a thorough physics course, such students will still incorrectly believe that an object moving in a circle experiences an outward force. Use...
Interactive
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Strange Attractor

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the chaotic motion of a pendulum that is swinging above several magnets that are fixed in place and see what patterns you can find.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Newton's Third Law: Action Reaction

For Students 6th - 8th
An early astronaut's experiences teach students that Newton's third law of motion-for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction-applies both on Earth and in outer space.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Exploring Newton's Second Law

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students conduct an experiment that will reinforce their understanding of Newton's Second Law. Using simple objects, students control force, mass, and acceleration, and how each is related to each other.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Newton's First Law (Inertia)

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This activity provides students an opportunity to investigate Newton's first law by observing inertia in a variety of experiments. Students will hypothesize on possible outcomes, write observations of what has happened, and apply...
Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago: Activities: Make and Fly a Helicopter

For Students 3rd - 8th
Print and cut out the template for the helicopter. Then experiment with adding and subtracting weight, or changing the shape of the copter or the blades to see what makes it fly best.
Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation

For Students 11th - 12th
By the end of this section, you will be able to explain Earth's gravitational force, describe the gravitational effect of the Moon on Earth, discuss weightlessness in space, and understand the Cavendish experiment.
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Blast Off

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Hands on activity where students focus on aerospace engineering to investigate space flight from the viewpoint of an engineer. They design, build, and launch their rocket, then share their experiences with the class.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Balloon Car

For Students 3rd - 5th
Make 4-wheeled, air-powered cars that jet across the floor. Experiment with the design process and thrust in this activity from Design Squad Nation.
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.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Resonator

For Students 9th - 10th
An experiment in resonance that demonstrates how to synchronize an applied force with an object's natural frequency and amplify the resulting motion.
Website
Physics Central

American Physical Society: Physics Central: Discover Homepage

For Students 9th - 10th
Link to nine major physics topics and dig deeper into the content. Find out about the work of scientists in each field and see example physical science experiments.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Using Your Marbles: Making Energy Work for You

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity is based on the common experiment of running a marble down a ramp to do work on a cup. Students will be able to see the relationship between mass and energy of the marble and the ramp height.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Momentum Conserved

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site by the Illinois Institute of Technology gives a Lab activity in which students use a variety of toys to discover Newton's second law and momentum conservation. Newton's cradle, skate boards, and a toy motorcycle are incoporated...