Curated OER
Simple Machines V - Wheels and Axles and Gears
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,...
Curated OER
Make a Pinhole Viewer
In this light worksheet, students construct a pinhole viewer using a paper box, wax paper, tape and a pushpin. They answer six questions about their observations, the orientation of the images they saw, and the results of their experiment.
Curated OER
Acceleration 2
In this acceleration worksheet, students experiment with varying amounts of mass to observe the effects on the force needed to move an object. Students apply Newton's Second Law of Motion to describe the relationship between mass and...
Curated OER
Balloon Rockets
In this balloon rocket worksheet, students experiment with a balloon, clothespin, straw, string and tape to observe Newton's Third Law of Motion in action. Students explain the action force and reaction force acting in the investigation.
Curated OER
Density and Mass
Students experiment to find which liquids are more dense. In this density and mass lesson plan, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. students observe which items sink and float. Students complete...
Curated OER
What is Plastic?
Learners experiment with plastics. In this what is plastic lesson, students make a simple polymer and discuss recycling. Learners identify various types of plastics.
Curated OER
Introduction to Graphical Representation of Data Sets in Connection to Cellular Growth
Learners practice graphing relationships between variables by studying topics such as exponential growth and decay. They conduct a series of numerical experiments using a computer model and a variety of physical experiments using mold,...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Oscilloscope as a Voltmeter
Students measure the electric potential of 9 volt batteries using oscilloscopes. They draw a diagram of the front panel of the oscilloscope, conduct the experiment, and create a graph of voltage versus the number of batteries.
Curated OER
The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia
Learners access information from the Destination Indonesia Web site to explore the island nation of Indonesia. They answer four questions and then write two full-page journal entries about one or more travel destinations in Indonesia.
Curated OER
Frisbee Physics
Students explain how a Frisbee flies, why it's shaped he way it is and how fast and how far the Frisbee can go.
Curated OER
Spiritual, Educational, and Physical Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto
Students review the organization of the ghettos in Eastern Europe. Using the internet, they gather more insight on the people who lived in the ghettos. They discuss the reaction of some members to join resistance movements. They also...
Curated OER
PHYSICS OF FLIGHT
Ninth graders study the basic principles of flight, including the Bernoulli Principle and Newton's Laws. They construct and study model aircraft
Curated OER
PBS - Scientific American Frontier:Affairs of the Heart:Teaching Guide:Exploring Vessel Physics
Students explore the relationship between pressure and vessel diameter. They are given an open-ended design challenge in which they engineer their own remote repair device. Students see a model that represents how elevated blood...
Curated OER
Physics on the Playground
Students investigate friction on a playground slide. In this force and energy lesson, students will predict, plan, and implement a scientific investigation to the problem; What materials will allow me to slide the fastest down a slide?
Curated OER
The Physical Environment
Fourth graders use damp sand, a baking pan, and water to simulate erosion. In this erosion lesson plan, 4th graders participate in a simulation to show what moving water does to land.
Curated OER
What is Physical Activity?
Students explore the functions of the heart and how it needs to work hard and rest. They play the "Wise Owl Says" game.
Curated OER
How Do You Choose a Physical Activity?
Students analyze the fitness choices that they make and the benefits of a regular exercise program. They create a sample episode of an original fitness program.
Curated OER
The Immigrant Experience
Students utilize oral histories to discover, analyze, and interpret immigration and migration in the history of the United States. A goal of the unit is fostering a discussion and encouraging students to make meaning of the bigger...
Curated OER
Physical Science: Magnets
Students investigate magnets and how they work. They read and discuss the book, What Makes a Magnet and record their observations as they complete activities. After exploring the magnet set, they record their predictions and results...
Curated OER
Physical Science: Bridge Building
Students study bridges and design and build their own. They explore different types of bridges and build a basic beam bridge in pairs. After creating their beam bridge, they design a truss bridge and then build a suspension bridge and...
Cornell University
The Science of Snowflakes
Who can grow the best crystals? Challenge class members to develop strategies for enhancing growth in the crystals. Through a lab investigation, learners study the properties of crystals and test the effectiveness of different growth...
Teach Engineering
Quantum Dots and Colors
Introduce teams to quantum dot solutions with an activity that has them expose solutions to a blacklight, observe the colors, and take measurements. Groups graph the data and analyze the dependence between particle size and color...
Teach Engineering
Alloy Advantage
Mix it up by using an intriguing resource that teaches young metallurgists that alloys are a metal mixture. They learn about the advantages of using alloys over pure metals and investigate titanium alloys as an example to finish the...
Columbus City Schools
What’s Up with Matter?
Take a "conservative" approach to planning your next unit on mass and matter! What better way to answer "But where did the gas go?" than with a lab designed to promote good report writing, research skills, and detailed observation. The...