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Mountain Biking - Riding Uphill
Mountain biking sounds like a lot of fun, but it also sounds like a lot of hard work! You have to get uphill to enjoy the ride downhill. Learn about shifting gears to go uphill and to keep your weight balanced properly. This is one...
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Potato Launcher Energy Lab
Learners investigate conservation laws using a potato launcher. In this physics lesson, students measure angles, time and distance of the potato. They discuss applications of experiments like this.
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How Things Fly
Students conduct a series of hands-on experiments that help them explain the role of lift in fixed-wing flight. They observe the flow of air and water around several surfaces and then consider the dynamics of airflow around an aircraft...
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Motion and Gravity
Third graders make parachutes to learn about gravity and the science process. In this gravity lesson plan, 3rd graders create parachutes and observe their flight in air. Students discuss wind and gravity for the activity.
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Bottle Rocket Lesson
High schoolers design a rocket that stays on air for the longest period of time. In this physics instructional activity, students research the function of different rocket components. They test their design and make necessary modifications.
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Up, Up, and Away
Students study the concepts of speed and velocity and complete practice problems. In small groups, students fly airplanes and record time and distance traveled for each flight. They calculate the speed and velocity of their plane for...
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Rocket Launch
Students consider constraints which contribute to the design of a model rocket. They begin to analyze a model rocket's design and flight. They must be very specific in their thoughts and discussions.
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Up, Up and Away
Tenth graders experiment with gravity and air pressure. In this geometry lesson, 10th graders build their own kits and fly it. They investigate the questions: what keeps a kite in the air and what are some important factors when flying a...
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Model Rockets
Students build a model rocket. In this model rocket lesson plan, students explore a rocket launch cycle. Students investigate the laws of physics for each part of the launch. Students build model rockets and launch at school.
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Under the Spell of Spiders
Students examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Students will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to create and...
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Balloons: Math with the Montgolfier Balloon
Young scholars discover the history of hot air balloons by watching one ascent. In this physics lesson, students utilize a Montgolfier Hot Air Balloon from an earlier lesson and record the temperature, rate of ascent and the...
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There's Air in There!
Students attempt to blow a wad of paper into a soda bottle. In this physics lesson, students discover that air pressure inside of a soda bottle prevents new air from going in.
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Reconstructing a Fossil Pterosaur
Students reconstruct the skeleton of the fossil Scaphognathus crassirostis. In this fossil lesson plan, students discuss the Kingdoms of life, geologic history and the history of the skeletons of species. Students are given 20 minutes to...
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Forces in Fluids-Science Puzzlers, Twisters, & Teasers
In this physical science learning exercise, students complete 7 questions in the form of puzzles, word problems, and brain teasers about forces in fluids.
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Mixing and Stirring
Middle schoolers experience mixing through dancing. In this physical science lesson plan, students not only dance to show mixing but also demonstrate mixing and stirring by combining milk and chocolate milk.
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What Makes Thing Fly?
Second graders study lift, drag and thrust from a real flight instructor. In this physical science lesson plan students build and fly paper airplanes and experiment with variations and design.
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How High Can You Fly?
Students learn the four concepts of flight; drag, lift, thrust, and weight. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students participate in a flight activity where they jump as high as they can to stamp a large sheet of paper and measure...
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GEOGRAPHY: SPACE CENTERS
Learners examine the descriptive science dealing with the surface of Earth, its division into continents and countries, climate, natural resources, inhabitants and industries of the various divisions and analyze the political geography...
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Reel Projects
Students investigate projectile motion. In this projectile motion lesson, students investigate a website with an interactive lesson. Students view the changes in the projectile they see in the lesson. Students watch short video clips and...
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Harry Potter Field Day
Young scholars participate in a Harry Potter Field Day. In four groups, with each group representing one of the houses of Hogwarts, they fly brooms around cones, play Quidditch, create "Polyjuice Potion," use their "wands" to play...
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Disc/Frisbee H-O-R-S-E
Students participate in throwing a disc for accuracy. In this frisbee throwing lesson, students are divided into small groups and complete throwing tasks using discs or frisbees. A student is assigned a "challenger" role and completes a...
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Rocketry in Motion
Students investigate why a balloon flies in one direction as air escapes in the opposite direction, which helps them understand the nature of rockets and fireworks. Individually and in teams, students conduct research to create a...
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Aircraft Trajectory Problem Set
High schoolers read text from a NASA Web-based textbook then demonstrate an understanding of the text by using it to complete an activity on aircraft trajectories.
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Using Graphs to Compare
Pupils use the FoilSim computer simulation program, and demonstrate an understanding of the lift variables by explaining their graphical representations. They demonstrate an understanding of forces and motion.