Physics learners make magic with inertia! By pulling paper out from under a stack of blocks or batting a rubber ball into motion, physics scholars' eyes will be opened! Don't think that this lesson plan is only fun and games; plenty of...

Young scholars read media and identify examples of science technology and society. In this physics lesson, students learn about acceleration and velocity. Young scholars estimate how many people would have come in contact with a...

Two activities employ the use of kinematic equations for determining projectile ranges. They both require the use of a toy dart gun. Included in this resource are both the teacher's guide and student laboratory sheets. This is an...

Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics instructional activity, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.

Students design and test balsa cars.  In this crash tet instructional activity, students design and build their own cars to specifications.  They explore the physics of motion and vehicle crash safety.

Students interpret a variety of motion graphs. In this physics lesson, students calculate the speed and acceleration of objects using numerical data from graphs. They apply what they have learned to solve real world problems.

Kinematic equations are used to calculate the velocity and momentum of different types of balls bounced on different surfaces. The lesson plan is detailed and provides a materials list, background information, and procedures....

Students conduct and observe experiments in Newtonian mechanics, kinematics, and projectile motion. They analyze the motion of a ball rolling off a table, falling, and then bouncing. Students answer a series of questions analyzing the...

Students calculate the length of an arc that surrounds an angle at the center of a circle of radius.  In this kinetic equations lesson students complete a lab and solve a kinematic equation.

Students explore projectile motion and kinematics in two dimensions. They determine, using an adjustable projectile launcher, what angle makes a projectile go the highest.

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.

High schoolers research articles about science technology and society. In this science and technology lesson, students answer questions about an article they chose. They share what they learned with their peers.

Students apply math skills using formulas to solve a Physics equation. Working individually, students create an equation to calculate the drop rate of an egg from a tower so it will hit a specified target, the teacher. Students test...

Students construct model rockets, measure and record the height of the launch.  For this creative lesson students use different methods to calculate velocity and height data from their launched rockets.

Young scholars determine the muzzle velocity of projectile launcher. In this physics lesson, students compare the pendulum method and kinematic method in calculating the initial velocity. They analyze data and discuss results in class.

Students 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.

Twelfth graders read and interpret v-t graphs. After studying velocity and time, 12th graders read graphs to calculate the acceleration of a moving body and determine the distance and displacement of a body. Students explore the...

Students analyze the motion of an object as it moves through a complex path that includes rolling, falling, and bouncing. They answer questions related to what forces are acting at any given time.

Twelfth graders examine illustrations and animations on a Physlets CD in which they must describe motion, analyze graphs, and calculate initial velocity. The Physlet assists in providing active class participation in discussion.

Learners apply what they recall about objects in motion by animati ng sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions. They animate the orbital motions of the Earth, the space shuttle, and the Moon based on calculations of...

Learners collect height versus time data of a bouncing ball using the CBR 2™ data collection device. Using a quadratic equation they graph scatter plots, graph and interpret a quadratic function, apply the vertex form of a quadratic...

Learners explore logic and use Geometer’s Sketchpad and patterns of logic to solve a puzzle.

Twelfth graders examine the misconceptions of Newton's laws of motion.  In this motion and gravity lesson students interpret data and see the effects of gravity. 

Learners 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 have a...