Students list three examples of momentum found in their local environment; describe the importance of mass and velocity on momentum; and determine what is necessary to produce the greatest amount of momentum within a particular system.

Students work together to design a new sport for disabled persons. They share their new sport with the class. They discover how mechanical and biomedical engineers use information to test prosthetics.

Eighth graders examine avalanches after reading excerpts from John Muir's book, "The Yosemite." In small groups, they conduct experiments with flour, sugar, and potato flakes representing different snow consistencies. Then, 8th graders...

Strict habitat requirements are needed for the survival of fish populations and fish variety in the Great Lakes. Young scientists become experts in the basic needs of fish and understand how survival necessities can vary with different...

Eighth graders examine the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration.  In this velocity lesson students read and construct a line graph and a bar graph to show information about velocities of sports activities. 

Learners examine Newton's Laws. For this law of motion lesson, students observe Newton's three laws of physics demonstrated by the teacher. They apply other examples to Newton's first law of inertia.

Students learn the scientific principles of centripetal force through research and experimentation.

Students investigate drugs in sports. In this performance enhancing drugs lesson, students discuss the uses for steroids in medicine and sports. Students utilize the web to play a steroid related game, view media clips of their favorite...

Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. For this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students work in small groups to find how movement changes when there is more - and less - friction.

Students explore canoes and kayaks. In this canoe and kayak lesson, students research the history, parts, and sport of the canoe and kayak.  Students then practice how to use a paddle for each boat, and go on a field trip in order...

Seventh graders study deck tennis. In this lesson that can be adapted to teach movement, passing and positioning in any sport, 7th graders toss and catch a rubber ring, students of varying abuilities will be able to participate in this...

A great lesson to teach the fundamentals of the underhand toss. Begin with some warm-ups, review how to do the underhand roll, and then teach the new skill of the underhand toss. The teaching activity is scaffolded and includes good...

Students calculate the speed of an object, by measuring the amount of time it takes to cover a given distance, and then divide: speed=distance/time. However, the object may not have been moving at a constant rate over the given distance....

Students explore physical education by completing a quiz in class. In this engineering lesson, students identify different ways engineering has made sports safer such as stronger padding and helmets, stronger equipment and smarter...

Pupils 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 presented...

Students identify the radius and diameter of a circle. In this geometry lesson, students calculate the volume and area of a cylinder and circle. They relate the circumference of a circle to Pi.

Students construct a hovercraft following specific procedures. In this technology lesson plan, students explain the physics principles behind hovercraft. They compare and contrast this machine with the aircraft.

Students explain how helmets protect the head from injury. In this physics instructional activity, students design their own helmets after considering certain parameters. They present their design in class.

Fourth graders complete a three-week unit about Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer life. They research the topography of Michigan in the 1870's, conduct Internet research, write journal entries, participate in polka and waltz dancing, and...

How have horses evolved over time? How do horse skulls reveal this evolution? How have the roles horses play changed over time? What kind of social structure do horse herds have? How should wild horse populations be managed? To find the...

Students experiment with the bounce of balls on various surfaces. In this physics lesson, students use various surfaces to bounce balls to study the momentum. This hands-on activity with the concepts of elasticity of surfaces which is...

Power up your lessons with an energetic resource. Scholars learn about work, force, energy, and power. They consider the relationships between these quantities through hockey puck scenarios and make calculations using formulas.

Can you see your class working on spatial visualization? The first installment of a five-part module introduces the concept of spatial visualization and provides a 12-question diagnostic assessment to test spatial visualization skills....

Here's a basic instructional activity on reading a compass. Learn the names of the parts of a compass. Learn how to read a bearing in degrees. Then go outside and follow a course of cones set up on the grass or in a clear area. Starting...