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Catapults!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students work together to discover the relationship between the angle of catapults and the flight of different objects. They discover the heavier the object the more force is needed. They examine how engineers use this information to...
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Friction and Gravity

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify the factors that determine the strength of the friction forces when two objects push against each other. Describing the difference between weight and mass, they participate in experiments. They state the law of...
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Newton's Theory of Universal Gravitation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how Newton tied together the gravity observed on Earth and the motion of the Moon. They apply an earlier lesson about centripetal forces.
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PHYSICS OF FLIGHT

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders study the basic principles of flight, including the Bernoulli Principle and Newton's Laws. They construct and study model aircraft
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Impact!!

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students perform a science experiment. In this algebra lesson, students collect data from their experiment and create a graph. They analyze the graph and draw conclusion.
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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Principles of Flight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the principles of flight. In this flight lesson, students construct a model plane and investigate the forces acting on the flier. They will measure the thrust and calculate the stored energy.
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Winds Go Spinning Around

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
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Twister: The Tornado Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine dangerous weather by researching tornadoes.  In this extreme weather activity, students identify the states included in Tornado Alley.  Students create a virtual tornado using 2 plastic bottles.
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Electric Field Mapping in 3D

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics lesson, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
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Gravity In The Universe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners assess and explore gravity in the Universe via several short video lessons. They analyze why this science matters and the history of Sir Isaac Newton's law of gravity. A variety of questions are asked within this lesson for each...
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Changes of State

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine molecules and the changes in energy of a system.  In this energy systems instructional activity students complete a lab activity and describe changes of state.
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Does Shape Affect Drag?

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students study drag and how it affects a parachute in the sky.  For this parachutes lesson students build models and compare their drag. 
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Phases of the Moon: Cooperative Learning

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the phases of the moon. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders listen to a read aloud of The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley and discuss the phases of the moon. They complete a moon phase calendar and...
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Jet Engine Magazine

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. In this flight lesson, students identify the motion and force that must be generated in order for a jet engine to lift off the ground. Students create a cover for a...
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Focus on Friction

For Teachers 3rd
The students learn about friction and forces through direct instruction and an investigation. They use measurement skills, observation skills, predicting, and drawing conclusions based on data collected during the investigation. Students...
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Discovery Science Library: The Basics Physical Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine  friction and gravity. affect four sports. In this scientific discovery lesson plan, students examine how friction and gravity affect sports. They discuss, write, and illustrate the effect of different forces on...
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Kites: Patang - The Indian Fighter Kite

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the history of fighter kites and build their own.  In this aeronautics lesson, students discover how other countries utilize fighter kites and where they originated.  Students create their own fighter kites...
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Characteristics of Energy

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore Earth science by completing energy worksheets in class. In this energy forms lesson, students identify and define a list of energy vocabulary terms and a K-W-L chart. Students view a matter video clip in class and...
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Atmospheric Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat from...
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Pangaea Puzzle

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted.  In this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions. 
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Sled Kite

For Teachers K - 8th
Students make and fly a sled kite out of plastic garbage bags, dowel rods, and more. In this kite lesson plan, students plan the kite to have symmetry and make adjustments as they test it.
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Electroscope

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine what an electroscope is and who invented it.  For this electrical lesson students build their own Emergency Radiation detector Electroscope.
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Good Vibrations: Building a Wave Model

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils assess and apply recurring patterns in natural systems. They evaluate the wave properties of frequency, wavelength, and speed as applied to sound. Students develop a relationship to quantify aspects of wave motion. They predict...