Lesson Plan
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science

Applying Newton’s Third Law of Motion in the Gravitron Ride

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a collection of readings to be discussed in the science classroom. This one is in the form of a dialog between two boys in an amusement park, talking about the forces involved in a Graviton ride. Questions are listed at the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balloon-Powered Car

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Attractive and logical instructions are provided for constructing a balloon-powered car. Young physical scientists measure the distance their car travels and record it on a pre-printed data sheet. The make alterations to improve the...
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PBS

Invisible Force

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Investigate invisible forces. Young engineers design a setup that changes the direction of a steel ball using a magnetic force. The purpose of the setup is to model the gravitational pull of spacecraft by planetary bodies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock-A-Bye Pendulum

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders analyze the effects of force on an object in motion and its relationship to a change in speed. This lesson uses a pendulum to demonstrate the principle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces and Masses and Motion, Oh My!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore how varying force and mass effect the motion of an object.  In this motion lesson students participate in a class activity and demonstrations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raptor Force

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe a video about pilots, their desired traits, and explore the similarities between a bird and an airplane. Using paper, wood or foam, they design create an aircraft to be flown in a competition to see which plane will fly...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atlatl Lessons for Grade 7

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine force and motion. In this seventh grade mathematics/science lesson plan, 7th graders collect and analyze data regarding the use of an atlatl to throw a spear. Students describe and analyze the motion which leads...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics and Me

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare and contrast mass and weight. In this physics lesson, 6th graders calculate speed given distance and time information. They construct a rocket and relate this to Newton's 3rd Law of motion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students focus on a force and motion problem, explore it, reflect on it and apply it while completing experiments.  In this motion lesson, students experiment with force and motion by creating a track for testing cars.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Shoot the Loop

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students experiment with a steel ball and matchbox car to find the effects of force and motion. In this force and motion lesson plan, students assemble a track, conduct experiments and record on a shoot the loop worksheet. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MOTION IN A CIRCLE

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore uniform circular motion, and the relation of its frequency of N revolutions/sec with the peripheral velocity v and with the rotation period T, and the "centripetal acceleration" of an object.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Konnecting Simple Machines and K'Nex

For Teachers K - 6th
Students study and identify different types of simple machines and how they work. They design a simple machine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Measurement in Motion"

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the rate of motion and changes in motion using a ramp and a rolling object. They conduct the demonstration, determine the average speed, and describe how a moving object can have zero acceleration and deceleration.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders experiment with Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this Third Law of Motion lesson, 9th graders develop an experiment that shows their understanding of this theorem. They work in small groups to read an article at a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Magnetic Forces

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover magnetic forces. In this magnetic experiment instructional activity, students explore magnetism. Students conduct experiments and discover magnetic poles and magnetic strength.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the MapleCopter

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Study explore the motion of maple seeds and design experiments to explain their spinning flight patterns. They make observations, explain ideas of motion, use models, analyze previous reports and experiments, identify relevant factors...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Laws and Seat Belts

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students study Newton's Laws of Motion. They review an assessment task and rubric and discuss Newton's Laws of Motion. They discuss how to test the relationships of mass and acceleration in personal situations. They write a one-page...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss work, force, and energy. They study how work is done. Students discuss various types of work that are done. They act out how work is done. Student draw pictures of types of work they have done.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines on the Move

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore simple machines. In this simple machine lesson students experiment with motion and force. Students have hands on activities and resources are provided.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine two different types of tires and the effects of different factors on the amount of force needed to overcome sliding friction such as when the vehicle tries to stop.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Satellite Orbits

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore satellite orbits and gravitational force.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hooke's Law

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore the relationship between the force applied to a spring and its stretch. They design and conduct an experiment to determine the stretch of spring with 15N of force without having an actual 15N mass.
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Teach Engineering

Projectile Magic

For Teachers 9th - 11th
What do the movies October Key and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone have in common? The fourth installment of a five-part module presents equations regarding projectile motion and how to rearrange them. Scholars view video clips...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Forces

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify, describe and indicate direction and relative magnitude of forces.  In this motion instructional activity students work in groups to identify the force that is described to them. 

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