Activity
DiscoverE

Launch It

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Launch pupil interest in rockets. Scholars build rockets out of straws and balloons to learn about Newton's Third Law of Motion. Their task is to hit a target five feet away. It's not as easy as it seems!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balloon Rocket

For Teachers K - 4th
Students observe a balloon rocket and how it relates to Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this balloon rocket lesson plan, students make a balloon rocket out of balloons, clothespins, straw, fishing line, and duct tape.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocket Pinwheel

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the action-reaction principle of Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this rocketry lesson, students construct a pinwheel using a balloon, soda straw, and wooden pencil. Students investigate the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocketry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design and construct a paper rocket that can be launched with a drinking straw. They participate in a lecture and read an article about rocketry and how Newton's Third Law applies to rocket launches. Each student constructs...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Hat Trick

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are challenged to develop skits illustrating each of Newton's three laws of motion. They are asked to identify examples of Newton's laws in sports. Students are asked how does Newton's third law allow a runner to run?
Interactive
PHET

Gravity Force Lab

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Does size or mass impact gravitational pull? Scholars experiment with force pairs to answer that question. They can change the size, mass, and distance between the objects using an engaging simulatoin. This allows pupils to visualize the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Laws of Motions

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the Laws of Motion. They define friction and explain the concept of inertia. Students explain what happens when a force is exerted on an object that is in equilibrium. They state the second and third laws of motion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pop Rocket - Trash to Treasure

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this instructional activity may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Physics of Bridges

For Students 9th - 12th
Stability is key when building a bridge. Scholars explore the forces acting upon bridges through an analysis of Newton's Laws and Hooke's Law. The activity asks individuals to apply their learning by building a bridge of their own.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lost Newton's Laws Lesson

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore momentum. For this physics lesson, students perform an experiment in which two balls are released on slanted boards while students observe which ball will go the farthest and the fastest. Students define and explain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockets!!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students launch a rocket.  In this laws of motion lesson, students discuss the forces of flight, how a plane flies and how a rocket gets off the ground.  Students watch a video about rocket launches, discuss Newton's Third Law...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Acceleration 2

For Students 8th - 10th
In this acceleration instructional activity, students experiment with varying amounts of mass to observe the effects on the force needed to move an object. Students apply Newton's Second Law of Motion to describe the relationship between...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Newton's Third Law

For Students 7th - 9th
In this Newton's Third Law worksheet, students complete a table identifying the action force and reaction force of several examples. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of Newton's Third Law by filling in missing blanks and...
Organizer
CPO Science

Physics Skill and Practice Worksheets

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Stop wasting energy searching for physics resources, this comprehensive collection of worksheets has you covered. Starting with introductions to the scientific method, dimensional analysis, and graphing data, these skills practice...
Unit Plan
Henry Ford Museum

Physics, Technology and Engineering in Automobile Racing

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Start your engines! This five-lesson unit introduces physics and Newton's laws through automobile racing. Each lesson includes background information, a student worksheet, and an answer key. There are also culminating...
Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Get Me Off This Planet

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. For this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math aides...
Unit Plan22:14
University of Florida

Understanding Car Crashes: It's Basic Physics!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Make an impact on young physicists with this fun collection of resources. After first watching a video and taking notes on the physics of car crashes, students go on to complete a series of activities that explore the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports and Science

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Using footballs, basketballs, tennis balls, and more, learners conduct experiments to illustrate Newton's Laws of Motion.  The experiments are conducted outside, and require them to throw, kick, and hit a variety of balls. Your...
Lesson Plan
LABScI

Viscosity: The Fluid Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Water Rocket Construction

For Teachers K - 12th
What are the basics for building a rocket out of a two-liter bottle? The procedures outline the basics to create an air- and water-powered bottle rocket. Prior to launching the rockets, teams perform safety checks to ensure their designs...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scooting Along!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars investigate how Newton's Third Law affects vehicle design. In this Newton's Third Law lesson plan, students use a web site to research Newton, his third law, and how to design a vehicle that uses a balloon for power. They...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Airboats

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Don't let the resource blow you away. Scholars build airboats from basic materials and collect data on how far the boats move. They refine their designs taking Newton's laws into consideration.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders are introduced to Newton's Third Law of Motion.  In this physics activity students examine the concept of thrust as one of the forces acting on aircraft. 

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