+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weightlessness

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students predict the behavior of coffee in a cup while it is dropped during a demonstration. They relate their observations to the weightless conditions that astronauts experience in space and discuss the concept of free-fall.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Challenger's Lost Lessons - The Lost Simple Machines Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars investigate the characteristics of simple machines. In this simple machine instructional activity, students investigate work as a product of applying constant force. They answer questions about what happens on Earth and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Motion Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment with simple pendulums to determine the validity of an equation for all angles. Students discover the usefulnes and limitations of approximations in science. Using spreadhseets and a java applet, students observe the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tropism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners conduct various experiments on tropism. In this biology lesson, students explain how gravity affects the growth of plant roots. They identify the different types of tropisms.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capillary Action and Adhesion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform classroom experiments to observe adhesion. They perform a second experiment using sand, salt, water, and a heat lamp to observe the principle of capillary action. They also experiment with adhesion in plants.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting to Know Saturn: Moons, Rings, and Relationships

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the different objects that orbit Saturn. In this space science lesson, students plot the graph of orbital speed and distance. They explain why planets and asteroids remain in orbit around the sun.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Plants In Space

For Students 9th - 10th
In this biology worksheet, students grow corn plants in growth pouches as the control group in an experiment on plant growth in microgravity. Then they analyze any differences that occur between Earth-grown and space-grown corn plants.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do engineless planes stay aloft?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore how a plane can stay aloft. In this engineless airplane flying lesson, 5th graders experiment to find how the design of a plane and Bernoulli's principle keep planes in the air. Student's create a plane and answer...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Importance of Tropisms

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate plant tropisms using the scientific method. In this life science lesson, students learn about tropisms and test the response of corn seedlings to gravity. Response questions, extensions, and an adaptation for...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MASS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners distinguish between weight and mass. They examine how in oscillations of a mass against an elastic spring--in the absence of gravity, or in horizontal motion--the length of the oscillation period is proportional to the square...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Towers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students have the opportunity to use model-building as a way to help comprehend the forces and phenomena at work in the world around them. They describe gravity as a universal force that pulls everything toward the center of the earth....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flight Dreams - The Pressure on Parachutes

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars investigate air pressure by researching parachutes.  In this physics lesson plan, students participate in three separate experiments utilizing air pressure and paper products to test theories on parachutes....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of Skateboarding

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to analyze gravity as an universal force. They are able to determine how the force of friction retards motion. Students are able to apply Newton's Laws of Motion ot the way the world works.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System and Planets

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students identify the main components of the solar system. In this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Projectile Motion Demonstration

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students dicusss Newton's First Law of Motion. They calculate a projectile moving horizontally and vertically at different intervals. They particpate in an experiment in which the projectile is at an angle. They record and discuss the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Shoot the Loop

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Young scholars experiment with a steel ball and matchbox car to find the effects of force and motion. For this force and motion lesson, students assemble a track, conduct experiments and record on a shoot the loop worksheet. Young...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tank Trials - Measuring Germination

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students observe and measure seed germination. In this life science lesson, students use 'tanks' to observe a set of seeds as they germinate and begin growing, make predictions, and record their data. Lesson includes background teacher...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going the Distance

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students experiment in small groups to answer the question, "Is there a relationship between ramps and speed?" They apply a formula to calculate the speed of the cars used in the experiment, complete the associate lab report, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galileo: His Times & Beliefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do they make glass into different shapes?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the process of glass blowing.In this simulation of glass blowing experiments students experiment how glass is formed and why not all glass is the same.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter, Matter

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define vocabulary related to the parts of the atom.  In this matter lesson, students navigate the web to find the structure and the forces that affect atoms.  Students complete an experiment with positive and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students focus on a force and motion problem, explore it, reflect on it and apply it while completing experiments.  In this motion instructional activity, students experiment with force and motion by creating a track for testing...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where We've Been and Where We're Going

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students travel with Christa McAuliffe through space demonstrations. For this space lesson, students follow through the past to the present air travel. Students understand the benefits and problems associated with zero gravity and how it...