Curated OER
Water Pressure Experiments
Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Curated OER
Marble Madness
Middle schoolers determine the velocity of a marble rolling down the incline. In this physics lesson plan, students identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment. They construct and analyze a graph.
Curated OER
Strength of Water
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
Curated OER
Building Bridges
Students identify the different types of bridges. Using the internet, they research information on how they are built by completing a scavenger hunt. Locating a specific area, they determine which type of bridge would be appropriate and...
NorthEast Ohio Geoscience Education Outreach
Density and Pressure of a Hot Air Balloon
Using a dry cleaner bag and a blow dryer, create a hot air balloon! The materials list suggests obtaining one dry cleaner bag per student, but since this is probably inconvenient, consider doing this as a demonstration during a lesson on...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Energy and Work Amusement Park Style
Students distinguish between kinetic and potential energy. They recognize that energy can change from one form to other forms. They identify and describe several forms of energy.
Curated OER
Force
Fifth graders move a variety of objects in different ways to observe the different forces. In this physics lesson, 5th graders observe pushing, pulling, gravity, and friction. The hands-on component, and teamwork involved, should make...
Curated OER
Galileo: His Times & Beliefs
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.
Curated OER
Let's Outrage the Bull
Students study kinetic and potential energy. In this energy instructional activity, students in grades K-2 understand the differences between kinetic and potential energy. Students in grades 3-5 demonstrate that kinetic and potential...
Curated OER
Gravity, Forces, and Inertia
Learners participate in assessments involving gravity, forces, and inertia. They select from a menu of options assessments they would like to complete including worksheets, drawing posters, watching videos, creating crossword puzzles,...
Curated OER
Hit Me If You Can!
Students graph linear equations using slopes and intercepts. In this algebra lesson, students identify the slope as being positive,negative or undefined. They differentiate between different quadrants on a coordinate plane.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Third graders are introduced to the six types of simple machines and discover how they make tasks easier. In groups, they rotate between stations to experiment with the different types of simple machines. To end the lesson, they make a...
Curated OER
Construction and Use of an Accelerometer
Eighth graders, in groups, study acceleration and build an accelerometer.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Vertical Motion of Firework Lab
This lab was designed to give students an environment that they could relate to that would let them test how launch speed and time of flight affect the height of an explosion and the speed at the time of the explosion.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Motion: Calculating and Graphing Students Walking Speed
In this activity students will collect and analyze data of their walking speed. They will compare their speed to an outside speed walker. They will determine their speed every 20 meters up to 100 meters. They will complete five trials to...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Pendulum Lab
Manipulate the mass of a weight and the length of string in this interactive pendulum simulation. Change the speed, friction, and gravity to make the pendulum swing change as measurements are displayed on the screen. Younger students can...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Graphing Motion Lab 2
This lab was designed to generate some data that students can use when learning about two stage graphing motion. Students will track the motion of a dragster as it accelerates and then moves at a constant speed and then they will create...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Equations of Motion Lab
You will be adjusting different parameters, such as speed and time accelerating, in this lab to see how they affect the motion of your car. Record the data and then reset your system to make desired changes.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Projectile Lab
This lab is designed to have students find the relationships that affect the horizontal distance travelled by a projectile. Students will be able to modify the starting height, initial speed and angle at which the projectile is fired....
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Circular Motion Learning Lab
This lab/learning activity is designed to introduce students to some of the basic terms with circular motion. They will be introduced to rpm, frequency, period, angular frequency, speed and velocity. It is hoped that students will be...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Rolling Distance Lab
In this lab, students will be able to change the radius and the linear speed of a wheel. They can then see how each of these variables affects the angular speed. Students can also look at the relationship between angular distance and...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Satellite Lab
This lab is designed to allow students to explore different aspects of satellite motion. Students can vary the mass of the satellite, the orbital radius of the satellite and the body that the satellite is orbiting. Students can measure...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Ground to Ground Soccer Kick Lab
This lab is designed to have students find the relationships that govern the behavior of a soccer ball that is kicked on an angle. The ball will start on the ground and end on the ground. Students will have control over the speed of the...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Impulse Lab
This lab is designed to have students find the relationships between impulse and change in momentum. Use the fire extinguisher to give different impulses to Wally and then use the time he is passing through the photogates to find the...