Young scholars create a Rube Goldberg type cartoon and research an invention.  In this art inspired lesson students create their own cartoon and research inventions on the Internet. 

Students observe examples of gravity, friction, and force on the playground. They then experiment and participate in a variety of activities in centers back in the classroom.

Fourth graders are introduced to a spring scale to show that the forces on both sides of the pulley are the same. They break into groups to lift objects with fixed pulleys and with multiple looped pulleys and then measure the force...

Students create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.

Young scholars determine how engineers decide on choices for final designs and sites for construction. They look at a surveyor's report while they evaluate sites where a pyramid could be build. They consider the distance the pyramid...

First graders discuss work, force, and energy. They study how work is done. Students discuss various types of work that are done. They act out how work is done. Student draw pictures of types of work they have done.

In this physics instructional activity, students visit the site http://sciencespot.net and complete a scavenger hunt for a variety of physics topics.

In this lever worksheet, students read and do the 8 detailed steps in an investigation about levers. Students answer 2 essay questions and record their data on a chart.

What do electrical currents have to do with an MRI? Using a simple wire setup and a magnet, class members explore forces used in an MRI by investigating the magnetic force acting on a wire carrying a current. 

Looking for the best inclined plane for the job? Groups calculate the theoretical mechanical advantage for four different inclined planes. They determine the actual mechanical advantage by measuring the amount of force needed for the...

Third graders explore absorption and reflection of light energy. For this solar energy lesson, 3rd graders explore how light energy transfers to heat energy through the construction of a solar water heater. Students will discuss and...

Third graders invent gadgets using simple machine principles. Once they have assembled graphic organizers containing information about their invention, they draw diagrams and explain how their gadget works. Lastly, 3rd graders write...

In this physics review learning exercise, students review vocabulary words associated with speed, acceleration, Newton's Laws and simple machines, work and energy, magnetism, electricity, and harmonic motion and light. This learning...

Students explore what work is, measure work done in moving an object, and tell how energy is related to work in both machines and the human body. In this measuring work lesson plan, students walk up a flight of stairs, measure the height...

Chemistry classes pretend to be consultants to a grocery story trying to decide what polymer to use for therir new non-paper bags. They prepare tensile bars and use them to test plastic film samples for strength and stretchability. Both...

The American Revolution was born out of a European conflict that spilled over into North America—and the documents prove it! Using primary sources from the era of the French and Indian War, including British plans to try to unite its...

Students analyze a simple machine and use "reverse engineering" to create an exact replica. They interpret incomplete information to build a simple wheel-and-axle machine. Students discuss how building a machine activity correlates to...

Students study Rube Goldberg machines.  For this investigative lesson students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can. 

Young scholars examine physics by completing a bicycle experiment in class. In this gravity activity, students measure the characteristics of different bicycles and compare their different race times. Young scholars utilize a...

Students investigate how and why wheels are used in different types of machines. They work in teams trying to move a heavy box with and without dowels and discuss which way is easier to move the box. Next, they conduct an experiment...

Instruct your class on how to pronounce /s/ sounds with this resource. Learners fill in the final /s/ sound into blanks, listen to plural sounds, learn about the rules of the target sound, write sentences, and work with consonant...

High schoolers observe relationships between quantities. Students complete activities for three different classes of levers. In groups, high schoolers build each type of lever. Students identify levers in their daily surroundings. High...

Students investigate simple linear functions by trying to guess a function rule from inputs and outputs. They write the function rule in algebraic form.

Students experiment with a solar still. In this distillation activity, students find a simple way to use evaporation to make salty water drinkable.