Students discuss how all objects fall at the same rate and vertical motion is independent of the horizontal motion. Students apply this information to center of mass activities before solving equations.

Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.

Students design and make a flying device. They work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for the design of their device. They choose an idea or combination of ideas to use for their design and create a sketch of their design. The students...

Students explore how the International Space Station was built and how it provides first-hand experiences with the space program. They view the NASA engineers discussing the major components of the International Space Station, their...

In this word search worksheet, students locate words related to the metric system. The word list includes volume, length, mass, unit of mass, and gravity.

Students travel with Christa McAuliffe through space demonstrations. In this space lesson, students follow through the past to the present air travel. Students understand the benefits and problems associated with zero gravity and how it...

Students investigate the concepts of gravity and force. In this forces and energy lesson plan, students construct a luge track to be used to test the speed of various objects sliding along its surface.

Learners design and build a pedestal or platform that holds a toy animal. In this building instructional activity, students use knowledge from a prior instructional activity as they build a platform or pedestal for a toy animal using on...

Students work in groups to create the planets of the solar system.  In this planets lesson, students create a hanging solar system taking into account the size, shape and position of the planets.  Students discuss the gravity...

Students construct a model house or school. In this physics instructional activity, students research about who wind up clocks work and write an essay about it. They determine the center of gravity of different objects.

The best part about spin art is that is demonstrates the concept of centrifugal force. Explore the magical spin of gravity as you make colorful art. This lesson idea is short, very simple, and requires a spin art machine.

Students design and build a balance using LEGO, string, and a set of standard metric weights.

In this modeling celestial motion worksheet, students fill in the blank about the motion of celestial bodies: planets and stars. Students complete the blanks with information about the scientists and philosophers responsible for early...

In this physics unit 8 worksheet, students construct a qualitative motion map as it relates to centripetal force of a described scenario. Students respond to questions as it relates to acceleration and the magnitude of the centripetal...

Students drop a variety of objects from a jungle gym to explore how different shapes, sizes, and masses relate to forces and motion.

Students create paper airplanes. They compare and contrast the airplanes created in class and test them out. They adjust their airplanes until they all fly. They discuss the forces that allow flight to occur.

Eighth graders experiment with Newton's Laws by comparing the falling of different objects with different masses. Students work in teams and rotate through four different stations recording their hypotheses and observations as they go.

Students read and discuss the book about the butterfly and create their own butterflies using liquid watercolors and pipe cleaners. They then create a butterfly development book, included in the lesson, and color the pictures using...

Students predict the behavior of coffee in a cup while it is dropped during a demonstration. They relate their observations to the weightless conditions that astronauts experience in space and discuss the concept of free-fall.

Learners develop critical thinking skills and explore the concept of force.  In this balancing forces lesson students complete an activity and explain the conclusion. 

Students examine the concept of potential energy and see that it is the ability to do work.  In this energy lesson students complete several activities on potential energy. 

In this force and motion activity, students read six paragraphs with numbered sentences about force and the laws of motion and answer one question.

Students explore projectile motion using an interactive program and the projectile launcher. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate a give projectile motion problem. They compare their answer to Interactive Physics' answer.

Students explain the principles of flight. In this physics lesson, students perform a series of exploration activity on Bernoulli's principle. They relate this principle to airplane flight.