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Dark Matter In The Universe
Middle schoolers investigate the concept of dark matter and how it occurs in the universe. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students use the information by reading at least two articles about dark matter. They also...
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Pendulums
First-time physicists experiment with pendulums in this physics instructional activity. They vary the weight of the bob, record how long each takes to complete ten period swings, and then calculate the time for one period. They repeat...
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Physics Midterm Exam #2
This comprehensive midterm exam covers a vast array of topics typical to high school physics curriculum. Problem solving and mutliple choice questions are incorporated. Review the exam to make sure that the content is suitable to your...
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How Fast is "Fast"?
In this movement activity, students will complete 5 sentences by filling in the blank with vocabulary words associated with movement: acceleration, gravity, and speed. Then students will be given 3 units of measurement and they will...
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Friction
Students review what force. In this science lesson plan, students determine which surfaces are rough and which are smooth by observing how an object moves on each surface.
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Alternative Energy Resources
In this alternative energy resources worksheet, students read and describe the advantages to using tidal power. Then they identify and list some of the disadvantages to using tidal power as mentioned in the brief excerpt read. Students...
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Earth's Atmosphere
In this Earth's atmosphere instructional activity, students observe the effects of air pressure using an egg. They describe what happens to the egg and what makes it do what it does. Then they determine how to get the egg out of the...
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Water and Ice
Students will work in small groups, observing an ice cube and recording a description, the feel of the ice, and how it looks when put in another container. Students observe changes in the ice over 15 minute intervals, then freeze the...
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What Makes a Kite Fly?
Ninth graders compare the nature of forces of gravity, lift, thrust, and drag. They select proper materials for making a kite and attach a proper tail. Students interpret and summarize the observations made during the flight of the kites.
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What is Energy?
In this potential and kinetic energy worksheet, students will learn how potential energy and kinetic energy are used to make a roller coaster go. Then students will complete 2 short answer questions based on what they read.
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I'm Falling For You!
Third graders are introduced to the concept of gravity by observing different objects being dropped from a high point. In groups, they complete the same activities Galileo did and record their observations. To end the lesson, they...
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High Jump
Students examine how physics help high jumpers break records. They discuss the phases of the high jump, gravity, and center of gravity, and conduct an experiment to determine whether they can improve the height of their jump.
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Weight, Friction, Equilibrium
In this weight worksheet, learners review the equation for solving for the force of weight and review the kinds of friction. Students complete 10 matching, 7 fill in the blank, and 8 problems to solve.
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When Push Comes to Crunch
Eighth graders engage in an experiment which uses an inclined plane and balls of various masses to determine the effect a large object has on a small object. They study velocity, momentum, gravity and forces.
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Working in Space
Students design and build one of three engineering problems dealing with living and working in space.
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Airplanes
Fourth graders experiment with gravity and lift by building paper airplanes. In this physics lesson, 4th graders compare the falling rate of a crumpled vs. flat sheet of paper. Then after class discussion and demonstration of Bernoulli's...
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Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
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Marbles in Motion
Fourth graders explore how to play marbles while learning the scientific concepts of force, motion, mass, acceleration, friction, and inertia.
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Pendulum Activity
Fourth graders conduct a lab activity that measures the factors that change the swing rate of a pendulum. They create a hypothesis and test it during the experiment. They record their observations using the recording sheets and journal...
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The Solar System
Students describe the different bodies that make up our solar system, explain the place of our solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, explain day and night and the Earth's movement, and describe the relationship...
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Parachutes
Students control the parachutes using arm movements. They follow directions while participating in games. Students explore the effects of wind on several objects. They study the effects of shape, size and weight on a parachute.
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Physics of Roller Coasters
Students study the physics used to design today's roller coasters. In this engineering lesson students complete several activities including designing their own roller coaster.
Teach Engineering
Get Me Off This Planet
What do Newton's Laws have to do with getting from Earth to Mars?The activities in this resource show how Newton's Laws work with rockets to get them into space. Background information includes facts about orbits and how orbits...
DiscoverE
Pilot a Balloon
Balloons will go where you want them to. Young pilots first add paper clips to a balloon to make it neutrally buoyant. They then use cardboard to steer the balloon in different directions, taking air pressure into account.