Lesson Plan
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Parachutes: What a Drag

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make 2 different kinds of parachutes and record and graph the time for each one for the different drag forces. In this parachute lesson plan, 6th graders compare the results to the rest of the class of each parachute and...
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines V - Wheels and Axles and Gears

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the principles and uses of gears, and examine how gears can be used to alter the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They observe two cars with different sized wheels roll down an inclined plane,...
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover the principles and uses of gears noting that they can be used to change the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They may also change the force and/or distance through which an object turns. They then...
Lesson Plan
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Acceleration 1

For Teachers 8th - 10th
In this acceleration worksheet, students use weights to increase the mass affecting the force on moving objects. Students plot a graph of their data and answer 3 questions about how the acceleration of the toy skateboard used in the...
Lesson Plan
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Designing a Solar Concentrator

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students design and build a solar concentrator. In this physics instructional activity, students evaluate their design and convince everyone why theirs is the best. They create a presentation and share it with the class.
Lesson Plan
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Newton Must have Been a Sports Fan

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine Newton's Laws. For this law of motion lesson, students observe Newton's three laws of physics demonstrated by the teacher. They apply other examples to Newton's first law of inertia.
Lesson Plan
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Movement of Objects

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate motion. In this science lesson, 9th graders conduct experiments on objects to analyze motion and speed. They define motion in everyday life.
Lesson Plan
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Balloon Rocket

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners observe a balloon rocket and how it relates to Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this balloon rocket lesson plan, students make a balloon rocket out of balloons, clothespins, straw, fishing line, and duct tape.
Lesson Plan
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Balloonautics

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students are introduced to basic aerodynamics through a discussion of thrust and drag and a hands-on activity. They examine the forces of thrust, drag, air pressure, aerodynamic shapes and Newton's Third Law Of Motion.
Lesson Plan
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Science: Generating Electricity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the various methods of generating electricity and explain their commonalities. They determine what is the most common source of energy and what are the potential environmental health hazards due to electrical...
Lesson Plan
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One, Two, Three--Isaac Newton and Me

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers experiment to develop understanding of Newton's Laws and how they apply to space travel in this ten day instructional activity sequence.
Activity
It's About Time

Defy Gravity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...
Lesson Plan
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Rocket Physics

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the relationship between impulse, momentum, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamic drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate data taken from launching a rocket. They compare the theoretical and...
Lesson Plan
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Friction Restriction: Creating a Design Plan to Redesign the Tread of Tennis Sneakers to Increase Friction

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students evaluate the friction of tennis sneakers and redesign them to increase friction. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate starting, sideways and forward stopping friction. Using quantitative data, they prove...
Lesson Plan
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Newton's Second Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how physical quantities and laws depend distance, mass and time. They examine the MKS system; meter, kilogram and second, for doing calculations.
Lesson Plan
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Extreme Acceleration

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of acceleration. They determine the acceleration rate of a roller-blader and graph the results.
Lesson Plan
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Alka-Seltzer Rockets: How to Build Your Own Rocket

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a rocket using Alka-seltzer of baking soda and vinegar. In this physics lesson, students identify the factors affecting the length of time the rocket is propelled. They relate this activity to actual rocket launched in...
Lesson Plan
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Hot Wheels

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students observe the action produced by toy cars. In this geometry lesson, students discuss motion and distance as they relate to the movement of a spherical object.They collect data and make conjectures based on their data.
Lesson Plan
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Magnus Effect

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the Magnus effect and its history.  In this forces lesson students investigate the lift of a rotating cylinder.      
Worksheet
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Chapter 3 and 4 Review

For Students 9th - 12th
For this physics review worksheet, students complete 42 matching, fill in blank, and problem solving questions pertaining to Newton's laws, force formulas, distance formulas, and simple machines.
Worksheet
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Electricity and Magnets

For Students 10th - 12th
In this physics review worksheet, students compare average and instantaneous speed, review Newton's laws, electricity, and magnets. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank, 8 short answer questions, and 6 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
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Study of Projectile Motion using Straw Rockets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers design and launch their own rockets.  In this experimental lesson students launch their own rockets and record the various angles and distance that they go.  Each student has time to redesign their rocket and...
Lesson Plan
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Propellers, Forces and Energy

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students construct a model airplane, measure distance, and calculate velocity.  For this creative lesson students work in groups to build a model and use it to calculate distances and velocity.
Lesson Plan
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Weightlessness

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students compare and contrast the terms "weight" and "mass". In this physics lesson, students observe an experiment in which objects are placed on a balance scale and weighed under different circumstances. Partners drop items and observe...