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.

Pupils are introduced to the basic parts of rockets and the physical forces at work in the flight of rockets. They build and launch a model rocket and discuss the challenges of launching a real rocket.

In this lever activity, students determine the ideal mechanical advantage for different classes of levers. This activity has 6 problems to solve.

Students build a four-wing paper boomerang. For this aeronautics lesson, students construct a paper boomerang and identify the forces at work during flight.

Students study various types of erosion. The purpose of these activities is to increase students awareness to the point where they can make intelligent decisions on proper land use.

Students investigate the relationship between work and mechanical advantage. In this physics lesson, students calculate the work and efficiency of pulleys. They identify the different types of pulleys.

Students explore physics by creating a magazine cover in class. For 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...

Learners examine the social change movements of the American 20th century. In this nonviolence lesson, students research the work of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Caesar Chavez. Learners compare and contrast the social...

Students view demonstrations that illustrate the surface tension of water. In this properties of water activity, students observe demonstrations that show how water exhibits surface tension. They explain how the demonstration shows...

In this magnetic field worksheet, students test a compass's magnetic field against a magnet and see how far it lasts. Students follow 6 sets of directions.

Learners create a thunderstorm by putting ice cubes and food coloring into a container and observe what happens to the food coloring. In this thunderstorm lesson plan, students discuss the cause and effects of thunderstorms and then...

Learners measure the voltage discharge of robots as the motors are used. In this physics lesson, students explain how to use a multimeter to measure voltage. They graph the voltage change over time and present their findings in class.

Students brainstorm if they think that any lever would use the same amount of paperclips. They break into small groups and use a data sheet as well as a lever, Lego person, fulcrum, and some paperclips and prove what they think by taking...

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...

Students identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...

Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions.  In this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for. 

Fourth graders view a Newton's Apple show that explores glider mechanics, explore the four forces, build and fly a glider to specific guidelines. They adjust the glider for greater accuracy and distance using four forces, and assess...

Students, by drawing on their own experiences, discuss and examine the basic physics of flight. They participate in a variety of activities regarding flight.

Students investigate the area under a curve and the rate of change.

Students participate in a class discussion about Bernoulli's principle while looking at cross-sections of an airplane wing, and discussing the sail on a sailboat and the spoiler on a race car.

Eighth graders perform experiments with simple machines and write up the results. They research the construction of the step pyramid and the three pyramids at Giza. Students research how the ancient Egyptians used simple machines in...

Learners simulate block and tackles to lift heavy objects. They lift cargo by hand with the whip and the two-fold purchase to simujlate what crew members do aboard ships. They measure the effort and distance pulled for a gun tackle, luff...

Students, through the use of the Curveball interactive software package, become familiar with the way in which the flow of air across or around an object affects its ability to lift, spin, and curve. After reading the explanation given...

Students, after reading the explanation given below, use FoilSim to complete the activity to fulfill the specifications of a given airfoil and then plot and interpret graphs.