Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Suited for Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A fantastic lesson on survival in outer space should excite your learners! Pupils explore the challenges that living, working, and surviving in space elicit. They focus on the spacesuit itself; how it protects astronauts, and enables...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish and Clips

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Youngsters test magnetic strength by measuring the mass of paper clips that they "hook" with a magnet. Your first and second graders should love the hands-on activities associated with this plan. The reproducible materials are quite good...
Lesson Plan
NASA

The X-1 Paper Glider Kit

For Teachers 5th - 12th
After reading an interesting account of how the X-1 aircraft was designed, built, and utilized, young engineers try their hand at constructing a paper glider version of the airplane. They cut out the plane out of a nicely designed...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Exploring the Water Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The water cycle is one of earth's most easily observable processes, but demonstrating each step within classroom walls can be a challenge. Through a series of videos and quick demonstrations, cover each aspect of the hydrologic cycle in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weight No More

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students relate the concept of gravity to math. In this algebra lesson, students define scientific terminology relative to gravity, weight and centripetal force. They measure the different dimensions of a cylinder as they discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toying Around with Newton's Laws

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify balanced and unbalanced forces that affect the movement of objects and Newton's three Laws of Motion. Students also design a contraption utilizing Newton's Laws of Motion that will launch a marshmallow five meters.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toys in Space

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Pupilsexplore how gravity affects the operation of toys and simple machines. They watch a video and experiment with simple machines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate how water goes from a solid to a liquid then back again.  In this experimental lesson students conduct their own experiment and see how water changes form. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balloon Rockets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students, after reviewing and analyzing Newton's third law of motion, make balloon rockets and experiment with a variety of models. After the experiment, they chart the results and form conclusions. In addition, they compare/contrast...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Pulley'ing Your Own Weight

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experiment with common objects such as spools, string and soap to determine how pulleys make it easier to move large objects. They look at the difference between fixed and movable pulleys. They examine the many uses engineers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Motion

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students explore questions which cannot be handled with simple pendulums, and examine both the usefulness and the limitations of approximations in science. A Java applet created from a Stella model is included.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Motions of the Oceans

For Teachers 6th
Students examine the topics of ocean waves, currents, and tides. They locate and label ocean currents on a world map, conduct experiments, analyze key vocabulary, view demonstrations and record the data, and complete handouts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulums

For Teachers 7th - 12th
First-time physicists experiment with pendulums in this physics lesson. They vary the weight of the bob, record how long each takes to complete ten period swings, and then calculate the time for one period. They repeat the procedure,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heavyweight Champion

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify what mass is and how to measure an object with a balance in gram units. Students identify weight and how to measure with a spring scale in units of force. Students compare the masses of two objects by placing each on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Action-Reaction! Rocket

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students construct a rocket from a balloon propelled along a guide string. They use this model to learn about Newton's three laws of motion, examining the effect of different forces on the motion of the rocket. They measure the distance...
Lesson Plan
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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
Teach Engineering

You Are There... First Flight

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Glide into the study of flight. An engaging lesson has scholars research information on the Wright brothers. They develop props and produce a recreation of the first flight at Kitty Hawk. They then report on the event as if they were...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

What is Marine Biology?

For Students 6th - 12th
A marine environment covers the majority of the earth but is arguably the least understood. Teach young scientists about the characteristics of oceans and ocean species using an interactive online lesson. The in-person or remote learning...
PPT
Curated OER

Velocity and Acceleration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Compliment your physics lesson with this PowerPoint which demonstrates many important points regarding acceleration and velocity. A starter experiment activity to stimulate student thinking is given, and may prove very interesting to a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the nature and magnitude of gravitational forces.  In this gravitation lesson students study gravity and answer questions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perching Parrot

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore the concepts of center of mass and static equilibrium by seeing how non-symmetrical objects balance. They also analyze why all forces on an object must cancel out exactly for an object to be stationary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravitational Factors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the forces that affect the weight of an object. In groups, they determine the proper math model which can demonstrate the attraction between two objects based on gravity. They discuss the relationship between the weight...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Harmonic Motion

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study harmonic motion and its oscillation.  In this simple harmonic motion lesson students demonstrate a series of regular oscillations and explain the theory behind the experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE FLIGHT PLATFORM

For Teachers All
Students examine forces that effect flight.  In this flight lesson students answer questions that are asked of them and the ones that they ask themselves.