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Hot Air Balloon
Students view a video and discuss the mechanics of a hot air balloon. They, in groups, construct a functioning hot air balloon.
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The Science of Swinging
Students learn how a pendulum works in the concept of an amusement park ride. In this pendulum instructional activity, students are introduced to Newton's first law of motion and how it works in an amusement park ride. Continuous motion...
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Electroscope
Students examine what an electroscope is and who invented it. In this electrical lesson students build their own Emergency Radiation detector Electroscope.
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Bridge Collapse
Students read about and view a real bridge that collapsed. They examine the fundamentals of building a solid and safe bridge and then construct their own bridge model using rolled newspaper and tape.
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Ride the Rock Cycle
Students examine the steps of the rock cycle. They describe what happens to the rocks in each of the stages. They participate in a rock cycle game to help them with the steps.
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Wave Equations
Pupils manipulate a model of a wave in order to solve the wave equation in 1 dimension. By using a model of a wave on a string the student is able to change the tension, length, and mass of the string as well as fix either end of the...
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Solar System Socratic Questions
Students reflect on and discuss theories of how the solar system was formed. They respond to prompts in a structured sequence to relate the formation of the solar system and the age of the Earth.
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Economics: The Scarcity Principle
Students discover how scarcity leads to economic choices. They examine its effect on individuals, business, and governments. Students simulate various scenarios to determine the role scarcity plays in each.
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Simple Harmonic Motion
Students explore the theory of simple harmonic motion (SHM) by performing hands-on, practical application experiments. In this harmonic motion instructional activity, students use strings of various lengths and bobs of different weights...
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River Planning
Students use a model to conduct an experiment involving dam construction. Based on their observations, they draw conclusions about social, economic, and and environmental issues and make a decision concerning dam location. As a group,...
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Development, Trade, Aid
Twelfth graders study the term development. In this Economics lesson, 12th graders explore the role of trade in stimulating development, with particular focus on the role played by the British Government. Students decide how aid...
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Friction This
Middle schoolers investigate road surface and calculate speed. In this algebra lesson, students analyze the roughness of a road and calculate distance and speed based on friction. They relate friction and energy to speed.
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Sediment Sleuths
Students classify sediments based on their physical characteristics, such as size, shape and color. They identify and describe rocks and minerals that are common to their region of the state.
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Genetic Traits
Students supplement their study of genetics by collecting and analyzing information about their own and their classmates' characteristics and traits. Students create a database of traits and characteristics to compare and contrast.
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The Egg "Airbag" Lab
Students use what they know about momentum and impulse to construct an effective "air bag" to protect an egg dropped from the top of the football stadium or other tall structure. They complete a final written report of their findings.
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Sustainable Choices
Young scholars examine energy use and the different construction materials used in their home. In this sustainable choices lesson students study different materials and what a sound environmental choice would be.
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Volcanoes!
Students define what a volcano is. They discover where and why volcanoes occur. They study effects of volcanoes on the Earth system.
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Tools and Machines for Work: Saving your Energy
Students consider how tools and machines can make work easier. They examine specific tools for making work easier.
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Civil Engineering: Designing Bridges
Students examine the bridges of the United States. They discuss the concept of balance. They draw their own design of a suspension bridge.
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M-N-M COMMITTEE
Twelfth graders research present day monetary policy and read about future suggestions for money. They then create a plan that describes the physical look of money in the future and how it will be distributed in the next millennium.
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TE Activity: Does Weight Matter?
Students design and conduct experiment to determine if weight added incrementally to an object affects amount of friction encountered when it slides across a flat surface. They graph data from their experiments, and calculate...
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Analysis of Lobster Claw Function. An Exercise in Biomechanics
Students observe two chelae. They write three differences they observe in their notebooks. Students suggest a hypothesis which would explain these differences. They dissect the chela. Students analyze the lobster claw as a mechanical lever.
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Polyhedra Book
In this math activity, students are asked to read the book that focuses upon the creation and explanation of three dimensional shapes.
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Worksheet 20
In this math activity, they write down and solve a differential equation governing the motion of an underdamped spring. Then they find the solution to the initial value problem.