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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toys in Space

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Studentsexplore how gravity affects the operation of toys and simple machines. They watch a video and experiment with simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pine Wood Derby Prompt

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use Newton's Laws of Motion to assist a troop in making a winning car in the Pine Wood Derby.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Veritable Circus: Investigating Balance

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students experiment with balance to learn about verticle balance, horizontal balance, center of gravity, and become active problem solvers and "scientists." Student engage in manipulating and changing experimental materials.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Orbit Lesson

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders devise a computational model to explore how the orbit of the Earth might change if its velocity were different. Using accurately recorded data, 10th graders defend a scientific argument.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In What Direction Do Seeds Grow?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Pupils predict and examine the direction seeds grow and thereby explore the effects gravity has on seeds and plants. They perform this inquiry in-class by keeping track of how beans grow.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Skateboard Science

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site is on the science and art of skateboard design, including equipment, tricks, glossary of terms, and a live webcast of a skateboard performance.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Gravitational Potential Energy

For Students 11th - 12th
This site defines and explains the concept of gravitational potential energy. Uses many equations and graphics to illustrate the idea. Provides an online computational practice set with immediate feedback.
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Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Elastic Potential Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Georgia State University Physics Department defines elastic potential energy and explains its origin. Provides an equation for computing elastic potential energy and an opportunity to practice solving problems with an...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Newton's Cannon

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about orbits and how an object can stay in orbit under the influence of gravity. By adjusting launch velocities users will understand how to successfully put a virtual satellite into orbit without...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Cliff Diver

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the relationship between position and velocity for a diver accelerating under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Measure velocity and position based on variables of the height of...
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Physical Science: Force and Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
In this student-paced module, students apply Newton's Laws of Motion to everyday life, calculate mathematical relationships involving force and motion using algebraic formulas, and understand the difference between mass and weight.
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Physics: Classical Mechanics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
College-level online course highlighting the study of classical mechanics. This course focuses on Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and kinetic gas theory. Course features include a 35 video lecture series by Walter Lewin. Also link...
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Your Weight on Other Worlds

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive resource from the Exploratorium calculates your weight on other bodies in our solar system and offers an explanation of mass and weight and the relationship between gravity, mass, and distance.
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Article
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Relativity and the Cosmos

For Students 9th - 10th
This illustrated essay from the NOVA Web site introduces the basic concepts of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and what we know about cosmology as a result.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Centripetal Force: Pulling Cs and Gs

For Students 4th - 8th
In this interactive activity from NOVA, discover how centripetal force can affect you when riding in a car or flying at high speeds in a fighter jet.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Galileo: His Experiments

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive activity from the NOVA Web site samples Galileo's experiments with falling objects, projectiles, inclined planes, and pendulums.
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Website
Stanford University

Stanford Univ/gravity Probe B/relativity Q&a

For Students 9th - 10th
Click "Relativity Q & A". Over 200 questions and answers dealing with relativity (special and general), answered by NASA scientist Dr. Sten Odenwald. Answers are generally one paragraph, very clear and coherent.
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Unit Plan
University of New South Wales (Australia)

University of New South Wales: School of Physics: Physclips

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Physiclips thoroughly presents mechanics concepts with animations and film clips.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Would You Weigh Less in an Elevator?

For Students 9th - 10th
Video that uses an elevator in motion to describe the relationship among weight, gravity, and relative motion. [3:36] Includes a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Benefits of Good Posture

For Students 9th - 10th
Has your mom ever told you, "Stand up straight!" or scolded you for slouching at a family dinner? Comments like that might be annoying-but they're not wrong. Your posture is the foundation for every movement your body makes and can...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: High Rise (Pdf) [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Hands-on challenge to build a tall tower that can support a tennis ball. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to build, test, and redesign it if necessary, or take it to the next level. Activity focuses on the engineering...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Popping an Ollie: Skateboards and Physics

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this science fair project, investigate the effect of speed on the distance and height of the skateboard trick the "ollie". The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics

For Students 6th - 8th
Many sports use a ball in some way or another. We throw them, dribble them, hit them, kick them, and they always bounce back. What makes a ball so bouncy? In this experiment you can investigate the effect of air pressure on ball bouncing.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: What Goes Up, Must Come Down

For Students 3rd - 5th
Standing on a balcony near the top of the 179-foot tall Tower of Pisa, a young scientist dropped two iron balls into the crowd below. The scientist, young Galileo, was not trying to knock his fellow professors on the head, but was trying...