Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spin the Saltine!

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students investigate chemical energy. In this physical science lesson, students blow on saltine crackers to demonstrate how chemical energy in food can be converted to motion. Students compare the saltine cracker experiment to how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students use the design process to investigate physical science.  For this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! The Time Challenge (lesson 2)

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students design a track that keeps a ball in motion for 5 seconds or longer. In this designing lesson plan, students explore force, gravity, and cause and effect when it comes to science and building before building their own track.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Numerical Determination of Drag Coefficients

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils create a video of an object falling with a drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate drag coefficient using data from Logger Pro. They calculate velocity and acceleration of the object.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2D Kinematics w/ String Racers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics lesson plan, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One, Two, Three--Isaac Newton and Me

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment to develop understanding of Newton's Laws and how they apply to space travel in this ten day lesson sequence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pushy Kids in Physics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concepts of balanced forces, unbalanced forces, and resulting net forces. They participate in a force and motion demonstration by pushing students in various directions, and calculating and identifying the resulting...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Physics and the Quantum Mechanical Model

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this physics worksheet, students review vocabulary terms and key equations associated with the quantum mechanical model. Students apply the quantum theory to explain the photoelectric effect. This worksheet has 5 true or false, 12...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Pendulum Lab

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the moment of inertia of a disc. In this physics lesson, students differentiate the two methods used in finding the inertia. They construct their own pendulum for the lab.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Inquiry: Periodic Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars construct their own pendulum. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to find the factors affecting its period. They formulate a conclusion based on experimental data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2nd Grade Physical Sciences

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders complete activities to measure motion and learn about the Earth's history. In this motion and Earth history lesson, 2nd graders discuss sound and complete a matching sound activity. Students then study the history of Earth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tiger Woods Physics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners comprehend the independence of vertical and horizontal velocity vectors. They calculate height, time of flight and range of projectile objects. Students perform derivation for range of same plane projectile motion. They perform...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Interactive
Physics Classroom

Gravitational Field Strength

For Students 9th - 12th
Budding scientists fall hard for a gravitational field strength activity! Physics pupils compare the masses and distances relative to the center of planets using an interactive from a Circular and Satellite Motion series. Individuals...
Lesson Plan
Tech Museum of Innovation

Balloon Astronaut

For Teachers 2nd - 8th Standards
Design protection from high-speed particles. The STEM lesson plan highlights why astronauts need protection from space debris. Pupils use the design process to design, build, and test a spacesuit that will protect a balloon from a...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Potential and Kinetic Energy

For Teachers 6th Standards
Everything has potential energy; learning to use it is the key to understanding all types of energy. Scholars learn the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They then apply the concept to drawing examples of both types...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Wow! That Captures It!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine how motion capture technology allows computer based animators to design realistic effects in animation. They study how the center of gravity contributes to animation and how to use the center of gravity to write an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students participate in a culminating activity for a unit on Energy and Simple Machines. They are challenged to incorporate simple machines in to a complex mechanical system. While designing and testing their machine they will also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SMASH Skill Development: Badminton

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students perform the SMASH technique and overhand motion. In this SMASH lesson, students practice hitting targets using racquets and the overhand motion. Students also complete a target smash drill using hula hoops. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ice Floats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the changing density of water. In this physics instructional activity, students investigate how an object's density determines whether it will float or sink in water. They explain why this unique property of is important...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines: The Wede & Lever

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars describe how wedge and lever makes work easier. In this physics lesson, students analyze experimental data by creating a graph to see the trends. They calculate the work done and mechanical advantage of these simple machines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bow and Arrow - physical education

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students practice archery. In this archery lesson plan, students see how to shoot the bow and hit a target. They attempt to hit balloons that are attached to a target.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circular Motion

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss centrifugal force, frictional force, and critical speed as it relates to the popular amusement park ride, the Gravitron.