Students use miniature explosives to analyze actions and reactions. An Alka-seltzer tablet …
Students use miniature explosives to analyze actions and reactions. An Alka-seltzer tablet is sealed in a small film canister with water which sets up a pressure explosion pushing the canister one direction and an adjacent film canister in the opposite direction. Students repeat this set up but vary the mass of the second canister by adding sand. The distances that each canister travels is measured, recorded and later analyzed and discussed.
This activity is a classroom investigation where students gather information from observing …
This activity is a classroom investigation where students gather information from observing Newton's first law, develop a definition of Newton's first law and force, and apply to real life situations.
This activity is a field investigation where students design and test a …
This activity is a field investigation where students design and test a gravity ball launcher, record their observations, and share their findings in the large group setting.
This activity is a physics lab in which students generate distance vs. …
This activity is a physics lab in which students generate distance vs. time graphs for skateboarders of different masses being pulled with various values of constant force. Students develop procedures, record and graph data, and analyze the data in light of Newton's 2nd law.
This activity is a laboratory experiment where students change the force applied …
This activity is a laboratory experiment where students change the force applied to a lab cart to investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration. They create and analyze graphs to see if Newton's second law applies to the experiment.
In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, an early astronaut's experiences …
In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, an early astronaut's experiences teach students that Newton's third law of motion—for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction—applies both on Earth and in outer space.
In this video segment adapted from NOVA, NASA learns hard lessons from …
In this video segment adapted from NOVA, NASA learns hard lessons from the first American attempt to do work while "walking" in space. The video also explores Newton's third law of motion.
In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, MIT engineer Dava Newman …
In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, MIT engineer Dava Newman is working to replace today's bulky, inflated space suits with a radical, sleek design that may one day allow astronauts to walk easily on Mars.
Students expand upon their understanding of simple machines with an introduction to …
Students expand upon their understanding of simple machines with an introduction to compound machines. A compound machine a combination of two or more simple machines can affect work more than its individual components. Engineers who design compound machines aim to benefit society by lessening the amount of work that people exert for even common household tasks. This lesson encourages students to critically think about machine inventions and their role in our lives.
Students learn about nuclear energy generation through a nuclear power plant virtual …
Students learn about nuclear energy generation through a nuclear power plant virtual field trip that includes visiting four websites and watching a short video taken inside a nuclear power plant. They are guided by a handout that provides the URLs and questions to answer from their readings. They conclude with a class discussion to share their findings and reflections. It is recommended that students complete the associated activity, Chernobyl Empathy, before conducting this lesson; doing this assists students in gaining an understanding of how devastating nuclear meltdowns can be, which underscores the importance of careful engineering.
Students will use science skills of observing, describing and measuring in the …
Students will use science skills of observing, describing and measuring in the context of Making Ice Cream. Students will understand the concept that physical properties can change.
In this extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students observe just …
In this extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students observe just how much time it takes to use up the "juice" in a battery, and if it is better to use batteries in series or parallel. This extension is suitable as a teacher demonstration and may be started before students begin work on the Ohm's Law I activity.
Students work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing …
Students work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. They learn about Ohm's law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.
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