Prior to beginning a math or physical science lesson on motion, use this presentation to define the concepts of motion, rate, velocity, and speed. This resource lacks concrete examples but could be useful as discussion starter.  

Mathematicians use a CBR 2™ motion detector to determine their speed or velocity going down a playground slide. They also experiment with different ways to increase their speed going down the slide. Finally, students complete the Student...

Fifth and sixth graders practice working in pairs to determine whether they can walk with constant speed. They test themselves, collect their data, draw graphs with their data collected, manipulate the data, and then draw conclusions...

We can mathematically model the path of a robot. Learners use parametric equations to find the location of a robot at a given time. They compare the paths of multiple robots looking for parallel and perpendicular relationships and...

It's not so straightforward — lines can model a variety of applications. Pupils experience linear relationships within the context of science, including Hooke's and Ohm's Laws. Class members got a taste of motion and speed from the...

Pupils explore the concept of distance and time as they use a CBR to mimic distance v. time graphs. Learners walk towards and away from the monitor to create various distance v. time graphs, then discuss what motion creates certain graphs.

Get things moving with this extensive collection of physical science resources. Covering the fundamentals of measurement, graphing, lab safety, and experimental design as well as the specific scientific concepts...

Young scholars study wind speed and collect wind speed data. In this wind speed lesson, students visit a website to learn about the local wind speed forecast for their week. Young scholars discuss wind and wind speed. Students collect...

Students recognize the effect of Earth's gravity on an object's weight. In this force and motion instructional activity students understand the role of gravity when you drop an object. Students experiment with small items. Students...

Students experiment with distance, speed, and motion by graphing the motion of a bowling ball. In this distance versus time graphing lesson, students observe the speed and distance of a rolling ball and graph their findings. They then...

Students investigate Newton's Third Law of Motion as it exits in real world applications. They watch as the teacher makes a simple balloon powered car before explaining how the motion of the car demonstrates Newton's Third Law of Motion....

How does the depth of an ocean affect the speed of a tsunami's waves? Use Jell-o, graham crackers, and marshmallows to model the effects of an underwater earthquake and its resulting tsunami. The lesson includes hands-on activities,...

Looking for a lesson on vectors?  Here is a PowerPoint that has six examples for finding velocity, acceleration, speed and direction of motion. One of the examples demonstrates the use of the TI-89 Graphing Calculator to solve a...

Programming a robot is a mathematical task! The activity asks learners to examine the process of programming a robot to vacuum a room. They use a coordinate plane to model the room, write equations to represent movement, determine the...

This lesson entails the viewing of two videos to get an overview of force and its application. The lesson covers how vectors use force in real-world situations.

For this secondary mathematics learning exercise, high schoolers collect data based on a person’s motion. From this data, students create graphs comparing displacement, velocity, and acceleration to time. The five-page learning exercise...

Everybody loves video day! Grab your class's attention with this well-designed and engaging resource about graphing. The video introduces a scenario that will be graphed with a piecewise function, then makes a connection to domain...

Students explore the concept of the formula for distance. In this formula for distance instructional activity, students time battery operated cars with constant velocity over 15 meters. Students use the distance = rate x time formula to...

Create trigonometric functions from circles. The first lesson of the module begins by finding coordinates along a circular path created by a Ferris Wheel. As the lessons progress, pupils graph trigonometric functions and relate them to...

Tenth graders estimate the size of an adult cheetah by research and measurement of a picture. They determine the approximate distance and speed of the cheetah from a filmed chase and compare that to their own running speed.

Students calculate the speed, motion and distance of a projectile. In this geometry lesson plan, students obtain measurements while calculating velocity. They graph their results and make predictions.

Students relate math to real life scenarios. In this geometry lesson, students launch a ball tracking each launch using a graph. They analyze their data for speed, angles and distance, trying to improve on each launch.

Find the faster rate. The resource tasks the class to compare proportional relationships represented in different ways. Pupils find the slope of the proportional relationships to determine the constant rates. They then analyze the...

Students build and program a LEGO robotic car as well as measure and graph its speed. They acquire familiarity with principles of construction, motion, design and problem solving. They compare a robot's speed over two different surfaces...