Lesson Plan
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Gravity

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the characteristics of gravity. They discuss gravity on Earth and then use cereal boxes to research and compare the weight of objects on Earth to the weight of those objects on other planets.
Worksheet
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Motion Problems

For Students 8th - 12th
For this motion worksheet, students complete motion word problems where they explain and define issues having to do with motion. Students complete 32 problems.
Lesson Plan
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Matter and Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore energy by completing a science worksheet in class. For this principles of matter lesson, students define the vocabulary terms force, gravity, nuclear, and electromagnetic before reading assigned text about energy....
Lesson Plan
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Paper Towers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars have the opportunity to use model-building as a way to help comprehend the forces and phenomena at work in the world around them. They describe gravity as a universal force that pulls everything toward the center of the...
Lesson Plan
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Household Things that Fly and Why!!!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars examine the four forces of flight. In this flight lesson, students test to see which types of items will fly. Young scholars make predictions on whether the item will fly or not. Students gain knowledge about lift,...
Lesson Plan
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Balloon Rockets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students, after reviewing and analyzing Newton's third law of motion, make balloon rockets and experiment with a variety of models. After the experiment, they chart the results and form conclusions. In addition, they compare/contrast...
Lesson Plan
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Water Pressure Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
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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MASS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students distinguish between weight and mass. They examine how in oscillations of a mass against an elastic spring--in the absence of gravity, or in horizontal motion--the length of the oscillation period is proportional to the square...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept that magnets attract and repel items and exert a magnetic field that can vary in strength. They see evidence of the magnetic field of a small magnet. They see that there are forces on earth which cannot be seen.
Lesson Plan
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Testing and Refining Aircraft Design

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars design and make a flying device. They work in small groups to brainstorm ideas for the design of their device. They choose an idea or combination of ideas to use for their design and create a sketch of their design. The...
Worksheet
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First Class Lever Lab

For Students 8th - 10th
For this first class lever worksheet, learners investigate the mechanical advantage of this simple machine. Students change the effort arm and the resistance arm and calculate the resistance force, effort force and the...
Lesson Plan
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Out of This World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders animate their own planets.  In this solar system lesson, 5th graders use smartphones and the software, GoKnow Sketchy, to create images for presentations on their created planets that appear to be animated when played...
Worksheet
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Incline Planes

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
For this simple machine worksheet, students explore incline planes and learn how to calculate the mechanical advantage (MA) using forces or distance. This worksheet has 14 matching, 3 fill in the blank, and 6 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
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Making Life Easier

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students use a chart of the six simple machines and become aware of how the machines improve our ability to meet the following needs: shelter, food, water, and transportation. Students use model cars to experiment with force. They divide...
Lesson Plan
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Matter, Matter

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define vocabulary related to the parts of the atom.  In this matter lesson, students navigate the web to find the structure and the forces that affect atoms.  Students complete an experiment with positive and...
Lesson Plan
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The Physics of Toys

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore physics by experimenting with classic toys. In this physical science lesson, students utilize gliders, energy balls, bouncing balls, marbles and other toys to explore how they work. Students explore each toy at a work...
Lesson Plan
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Flight

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are introduced to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight experiments. They "fly" for short periods and evaluate factors that might either increase or decrease their...
Lesson Plan
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Where We've Been and Where We're Going

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students travel with Christa McAuliffe through space demonstrations. In this space activity, students follow through the past to the present air travel. Students understand the benefits and problems associated with zero gravity and how...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Activities

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students conduct a variety of experiments related to solar energy, heating, cooling, gravity, physical insulation and wind. They consider how the experiments relate to energy and the consumption of energy and then participate in a class...
Lesson Plan
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Energy: The Universal Currency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Science stars examine the concept of energy by thinking about everyday situations. The lesson plan is incohesive. It lists goals for the student, but doesn't address all of them in the content. The best use of this resource would simply...
Worksheet
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Space Weight, Gravity, and Distance

For Students 9th - 12th
In this planets in space worksheet, learners calculate their weight on the 9 planets plus calculate the distance of the planets from the sun in astronomical units. This worksheet has 6 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
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The Science of Swinging

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners learn how a pendulum works in the concept of an amusement park ride. In this pendulum lesson, students are introduced to Newton's first law of motion and how it works in an amusement park ride. Continuous motion and inertia are...
Lesson Plan
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Physics and Me

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare and contrast mass and weight. In this physics lesson plan, 6th graders calculate speed given distance and time information. They construct a rocket and relate this to Newton's 3rd Law of motion.