NASA
Two Versions of Gravity: Newton and Einstein
We have all heard the debate about teaching both theories, but an innovative lesson takes the discussion to a new level. Scholars research and debate Newton's Law of Gravitation versus Einstein's General Theory of...
Curated OER
Hooke's Law, Vibrations, Mechanical Waves, and Sound
Dangle a spring to experiment with vibration and discover if period is dependent on amplitude. Strum a guitar and adjust the strings to compare displacement and sound. Use a Slinky® and guitar strings on a ring stand to uncover the...
LABScI
Viscosity: The Fluid Lab
There's more to fluids than meet the eye—they include gases, liquids, and polymers, too! Scholars complete three hands-on activities exploring different properties of fluids. They explore viscosity by measuring the resistance, or...
Purdue University
Designing Safer Roadways
Be careful on curvy roads. An interesting STEM activity challenges scholars to design a safe road system. The goal is to help ensure that cars coming down a hill will be able to make a right turn without sliding off the road. Pupils test...
Curated OER
Jungle Gym Drop
Students drop a variety of objects from a jungle gym to explore how different shapes, sizes, and masses relate to forces and motion.
Curated OER
Acceleration, Drag, Gravity, Motion, Forces, and Friction
Eighth graders build and run mousetrap cars in order to measure distance, time, and mass for their cars. They use these measurements to calculate average speed and kinetic energy, then create a slide show to visually explain how the car...
Curated OER
Capturing Wind Energy
Students investigate technology and make a correlation between technology and the weather. In this science lesson plan, students experiment with the weather and climate using technology to help them understand forces and motion. They...
Curated OER
Seeing Mathematics in the Forces of Nature
Students study waves and their characteristics. In this wave activity students calculate the speed of waves, wavelength and the period.
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Students use the design process to investigate physical science. For this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance. Students...
Curated OER
Matter in Motion
Second graders examine matter, what it is and what the different states are. In this matter activity students view The Magic School Bus Meets Molly Cule and answer questions.
Curated OER
The Science of Hurricanes
Learners explore hurricanes. In this science lesson, students discuss the aspects of hurricanes and watch videos of hurricanes. Learners discuss the motion of the hurricanes.
Curated OER
Newton's Second Law of Motion
Sixth graders study Newton's second law of motion and verify it. In this force and motion lesson students complete a lab activity and collect data, analyze it and graph it.
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Push and Pull
I love mixing arts lessons with core content! Here, the class will discuss energy, motion, and force (push/pull) as they review dance vocabulary and movements. They preview vocabulary for force and dance. Then they pair-up to dance a...
Curated OER
Roller Coasters
Twisting and turning through the sky, roller coasters are popular attractions at amusement parks around the world, but how exactly do they work? Explore the physics behind these thrilling rides with an engineering design activity....
Curated OER
Newton's Laws
In this motion worksheet, students read about the 3 laws of motion and then complete a graphic organizer describing the laws and giving an example for each one.
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
Forces and Energy Study Guide
Sixth graders use prior knowledge to create a tri-fold study guide using Microsoft Publisher (if available). They include real world examples that show balanced and unbalanced forces, kinetic and potential energy, and vocabulary. The...
Curated OER
Medieval Catapults
Students design and build a working catapult or trebuchet to explore the concepts of force, motion, and distance.
Curated OER
Rock-A-Bye Pendulum
Third graders analyze the effects of force on an object in motion and its relationship to a change in speed. This lesson uses a pendulum to demonstrate the principle.
Curated OER
Physics and Me
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.
Curated OER
Vectors
Young scholars are introduced to the bridge building challenge. They perform two labs and work in small groups to finish the vector worksheet. Students review vector additions. They then move onto the Forces on an Inclined Plane Lab. ...
Curated OER
Newton's Laws
Students experiment with and analyze moving objects and explain their motion in relation to Newton's Laws of Motion. Students then work with partners to design and construct cars that are powered by balloons.
Curated OER
Race the Track! The Time Challenge (lesson 2)
Learners design a track that keeps a ball in motion for 5 seconds or longer. For this designing lesson plan, students explore force, gravity, and cause and effect when it comes to science and building before building their own track.
Curated OER
Junkyard Wars-Investigating More Electromagnets
Fourth graders conduct an investigation in order to determine a way to change the strength of an electromagnet's magnetic force. After conducting "control" lifts with their electromagnet, groups make initial changes, record data, and...