Exploratorium
Balancing Ball
Demonstrate lift to the class that is studying aerodynamics. In the stream of air produced by a blow dryer, little physicists place a wad of tissue paper and a spherical figure to compare. Or, if you have a vacuum cleaner and beach ball,...
Sharp School
Newton’s Laws of Motion Project
After a review of all three of Newton's laws, physical scientists complete a choice project. They can create a book in which they collect pictures where the laws of motion are depicted, produce a PowerPoint presentation, or produce a...
Teach Engineering
The Great Gravity Escape
Groups simulate an orbit using a piece of string and a water balloon. Individuals spin in a circular path and calculate the balloon's velocity when the clothes pin can no longer hold onto the balloon.
DiscoverE
Friction in Action
There's no need to have friction among instructors regarding the resource. Pupils investigate how marbles and coins slide along different surfaces which gives them information to estimate coefficients of friction.
Exploratorium
Diamagnetism
If you are attracted to activities dealing with diamagnetism, here is a rare find that you will appreciate. With a neodymium magnet and a few common materials, move a pair of juicy grapes without touching them. Though the fruit is...
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: Balance
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This pair of...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Balancing Ball: Suspend a Ball in a Stream of Air
In this lesson plan students learn about air flow using a suspended ball in an air stream.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Ups and Downs
Explore sports science and build a ramp that will roll a ball right to the target.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Bottle Cap Hockey
Explore sports science and see how many points can you score with your bottle caps in Ruff's take on table hockey.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Build It Up, Knock It Down
Explore structural science and compete in a building contest where each team builds a structure without using tape and then tries to knock the other one down using only paper.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Tower Time
Explore structural science and try to stack a tall, stable tower in this building activity.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Architecture Scavenger Hunt
Explore structural science and look for shapes around your school or in the buildings in your neighborhood.