Lesson Plan
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Learn to Build a Rocket in 5 Days

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars explore physics by participating in an engineering activity. In this rocket lesson, students define a list of scientific vocabulary terms such as "re-engineering" and "trade-off." Young scholars identify the rocket...
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Airplane Propeller

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the different kinds of propellers and their functions.  In this airplane lesson students build a hand made propeller.
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Balloons

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore the different types of balloons.  In this materials lesson students can complete several experiments including building their own hot air balloons, making balloon animals and experimenting with static...
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Recreating A Mission

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students role-play a satellite recovery mission. They explain and appreciate the complexity and planning involved in carrying out a shuttle mission.
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Help Wanted: A Lighting Engineer For Popular Rock Group

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They listen to a...
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Momentum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn the concepts of momentum and its conservation, using the recoil of a cannon as an example. They examine how momentum is a vector, allowing its conservation to be applied to problems in 2 and 3 dimensions.
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Warped Space-Time Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
students observe a teacher demonstration that models a space time continuum warping caused by gravity.
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Friction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate friction as a force that is present around us. They observe as a ball is rolled on different surfaces and stopped before discussing what happens. Using different surfaces, they make predictions as to what type...
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Gravity

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss the myth of Galileo's experiments in which he threw items out the leaning Tower of Pisa to find out how fast they fell and predict what they think could happen when the two items listed on the same line are dropped...
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Exploring Force and Motion

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the concepts of force and motion by creating a video.  In this physics lesson, students are assigned one particular aspect of force and motion to investigate and work in groups to create a video that will be...
Worksheet
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Physics Quiz

For Students 6th - 12th
For this physics worksheet, students complete short answer questions about physics concepts such as electricity, space, light, and more. Students complete 20 short answer questions.
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Dimensional Analysis Problem Set

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students, after studying various pages of a NASA Web-based textbook, use dimensional analysis to verify actual aeronautic equations.
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The Fall of the Ruler

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine their reaction time using a ruler. In this Physics lesson, students calculate the class' means and variances. They plot the graph and analyze if there are outliers.
Lesson Planet Article
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Engineering Lessons Adapted for Special Education

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Modifying engineering lessons from NASA makes them accessible to a wider variety of learners.
Lesson Plan
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How Can We See Inertia?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students conduct 8 experiments to gain an understanding of inertia. Students use a variety of materials to conduct these experiments. Students learn the difference between objects at rest and objects moving in a straight line.
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#22 Frames of Reference: The Basics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of frames of reference in physics.
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Frames of Reference: The Basics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars learn the concept of frames of reference in physics. They examine how two frames of reference, each moving with respect to the other with a constant velocity v (constant speed, constant direction).
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What Floats Your Boat?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students discover the Archimedes principle through a buoyancy experiment. They measure the water displacement of a lump a clay which is denser than water then reshape the clay into a bowl which floats but displaces more water.
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History of Astronomy

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students participate in assessments regarding the history of astronomy. They listen and take notes, draw a time line, draw a solar sytem designed by Ptolemy and create flashcards. They write an essay on Galileo, watch a video, take a...
Lesson Plan
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Vernier - A Speedy Slide with EasyData™ App and CBR 2™

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Mathematicians use a CBR 2™ motion detector to determine their speed or velocity going down a playground slide. They also experiment with different ways to increase their speed going down the slide. Finally, students complete the Student...
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Motion Through the Ages

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders conduct internet research to produce a timeline of man's growth in understanding of concepts of motion and planetary motion through history.
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MEASURING THE GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT, G

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study gravitational force an.  In this gravitational force lesson students observe a demonstration. 
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In-Line Inertia

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students practice calculating the moment of inertia when discussing a skater and the position in which it is best to spin. After class discussion, students practice calculating inertia on their own.
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Scientists and Statesmen in Early America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore the historic and cultural context of the foundations of the United States of America. They identify the political and scientific contributions of early American scientists.