I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.
I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LEBlzYVqCxg?si=SODl7uJvjS19vCe5
Engineering Challenge
Are you in search of an engaging, interactive STEM activity that promotes critical thinking? Look no further! Download this resource to present the challenge to your students.
Using water as a medium, this fantastic STEM project for kids involves designing a boat constructed solely from straws and tape. Test how many items it can support before it sinks, allowing students to learn about basic physics while honing their engineering skills.
.
This straw boat engineering challenge is not only straightforward and enjoyable, but it also provides a captivating way to explore physics and density.
Product contains
Readings
Lab with detailed instructions
Print and go
Written in word so you can make any changes to suit your individual classroom
Written in word so you can easily make changes for your class!
Protect the egg!!! **
The first lesson aims to inspire your students through an exciting STEM challenge: they will design and construct a car for the grumpy Humpy Dumpty! Their designs must adhere to Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. Students will thoroughly enjoy exploring how mass and force influence motion in this captivating and informative STEM project.
Using Newton’s Laws of Motion, Engineering Design Processes, students will design, build and test a car made of materials selected by you to protect their egg when the car crashes into the wall!
Racing to Measure
If you send a toy car down a ramp at what ramp angle will the car travel the farthest when it hits the ground? Use your protractor and your tape measure to find out.
Start by setting up a series of ramps at different angles. Make sure each ramp is securely positioned to ensure accurate and repeatable results. Measure and record the angle of each ramp using your protractor.
Next, release the toy car from the top of each ramp and let it travel down and off the end. Use your tape measure to record the distance the car travels from the end of the ramp to the point where it first contacts the ground. Repeat this process several times for each angle to ensure consistency and reliability in your measurements.
Analyze your data to determine which ramp angle allowed the toy car to travel the farthest distance. You may find that there is an optimal angle that provides the best balance of speed and trajectory for maximum travel distance. This experiment will help you understand the principles of physics, such as gravity, friction, and motion, that influence the car’s performance.
Kinematics High School Physics Curriculum.
Ready to help your students learn upper-level science? This Lesson can assist you in teaching essential information on kinematics including length measurement and acceleration Perfect for Substitute plans just print and go
This lesson plan focuses primarily on learning through doing example problems. These example questions reflect the exam and have been proven through my own class to have students score well on the AP® Physics C Exam.
This product contains
Notes to the teacher
Two quick fun labs to motivate your students
16 Multiple choice questions
Answer key-written in red to make it easier for you.
Chart for students with key information
Teach kinematics because students can relate it to real life examples. Although the math can be challenging Students find being able to physically appreciate what’s happening helps the students engage with the subject.
PS2. Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion is a mathematical model describing change in motion (the acceleration) of objects when acted on by a net force.
HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to show that the total momentum of a system of interacting objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Description
This captivating Physics Lesson evaluates students based on their proficiency in Vectors, SI Units, and Metric Prefixes. For teachers seeking a high-quality assessment tool, this quiz effectively fulfills that need. It is very important that All your physics students are proficient in their basic measurements skills to have success this year in your class.
This is great to have on hand for sub plans. Just Print and go
Complete Answer Key is provided
This assessment comprises 12 multiple-choice questions and is tailored as a pre-assessment tool for an introductory algebra-based physics course typically undertaken by high school upperclassmen. By administering this test, educators can evaluate their students’ foundational knowledge in physics. The accompanying document is presented in a Word format, allowing for easy customization. Moreover, an answer key is provided at the conclusion of the document.
Standards
Students are expected to use mathematical and graphical representations and models to quantitatively and qualitatively describe, evaluate, and make predictions of a variety of phenomena such as motion, energy, and waves. Students should be able to use multiple types of models and compare their merits and limitations and level of detail and accuracy, and use them as a basis for explanations or arguments about underlying concepts or processes
Are you looking for a fun way to teach your physics students how to create time graphs Here is your solution. Quick prep and no mess to clean up!
Students will use balls to plot the movements of an object traveling at a constant speed
This product contains detailed instructions to make it easier for you to have success with this lab
Objective
Students will be able to create their own position versus time graphs in two separate trials with the application of algebra equations
The product is in Microsoft word so you can easily make any changes you would like to suit your individual needs.
It is 2 pages which you are free to alter to suit your individual needs
Standards are listed below
HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to show that the total momentum of a system of interacting objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Clarification Statement:
• Emphasis is on the qualitative meaning of the conservation of momentum and the quantitative understanding of the conservation of linear momentum in interactions involving elastic and inelastic collisions between two objects in one dimension.
HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to show that the total momentum of a system of interacting objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Clarification Statement:
• Emphasis is on the qualitative meaning of the conservation of momentum and the quantitative understanding of the conservation of linear momentum in interactions involving elastic and inelastic collisions between two objects in one dimension.
Inspire your students to apply physics to learning about time graphs lab
**Objective **Create position versus time graphs for two separate objects rolled down the hallway in two separate trials, and use the graphs to predict, both graphically and algebraically, the time and place at which the objects will cross if they are both rolled in one trial.
The product is written in word so you can easily make any changes you would like to suit your individual needs.
Students will use balls to plot the movements of an object traveling at a constant speed This product contains detailed instructions to make it easier for you to have success with this
Standards are listed mathematical representations to show that the total momentum of a system of interacting objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Clarification Statement:
• Emphasis is on the qualitative meaning of the conservation of momentum and the quantitative understanding of the conservation of linear momentum in interactions involving elastic and inelastic collisions between two objects in one dimension.
HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to show that the total momentum of a system of interacting objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.
Clarification Statement:
• Emphasis is on the qualitative meaning of the conservation of momentum and the quantitative understanding of the conservation of linear momentum in interactions involving elastic and inelastic collisions between two objects in one dimension.
Have you encountered substitute teachers who struggled with comprehending high school physics textbooks? This substitute plan aims to address this issue by introducing an engaging WebQuest to challenge your students.
The project focuses on applying Newton’s Law of Gravitation by utilizing a website that visualizes stars and planets visible at any specific date, time, and location in recent history. Originating in the mid-1600s, Isaac Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation revolutionized the understanding of gravitational attraction between two objects based on their masses and separation distance. Through this project, students will explore and compare gravitational forces between objects of varying sizes placed at different proximities.
Utilize the provided website to observe the celestial configuration on the date and time of your birth.
HS-ESS1-4: Orbital Motions
Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system. (Scale, Proportion, and Quantity)
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on Newtonian gravitational laws governing orbital motions, which apply to human-made satellites as well as planets and moons.
Assessment Boundary: Mathematical representations for the gravitational attraction of bodies and Kepler’s Laws of orbital motions should not deal with more than two bodies, nor involve calculus.
This product contains 3 hands on experiments to teach Newton’s laws and inertia. The materials are already in your kitchen.
7.MS-PS3-2. Develop a model to describe the relationship between the relative positions of objects interacting at a distance and their relative potential energy in the system.
8.MS-PS2-1. Develop a model that demonstrates Newton’s third law involving the motion of two colliding objects.
8.MS-PS2-2.
Provide evidence that the change in an object’s speed depends on the sum of the forces on the object (the net force) and the mass of the object.
Clarification Statement:
•Emphasis is on balanced (Newton’s first law) and unbalanced forces in a system, qualitative comparisons of forces, mass, and changes in speed (Newton’s second law) in one dimension.
Embark on an engaging scientific project that explores the intriguing concept of influencing a coin flip. Tailored for students in grades 8 to 10, this laboratory experiment challenges conventional statistical norms. By delving into the captivating domain of statistics, the project aims to ascertain the likelihood of a coin landing on heads or tails, while also exploring the potential impact of the individual flipping the coin. Laboratory 1: This interactive experiment not only fosters critical thinking but also hones students’ data analysis skills. By unraveling the enigma of probability, participants delve into the captivating world of coin flips, offering a hands-on approach to understanding statistical concepts. Laboratory 2: Students are introduced to a practical application of Newton’s First Law of Motion in determining the state of an egg – whether raw or hard-boiled – by examining the egg’s center of gravity. Laboratory 3: In the final experiment, students engage in a fun yet enlightening exploration involving a buttered piece of toast dropped from a table. This experiment serves as an engaging way to comprehend the concept of inertia in objects.
Total Pages
10 pages
Answer Key
Included
“Mu of a Shoe”: An Exploration of Low-Tech Friction
The primary aim of this laboratory experiment is to ascertain the static and kinetic coefficients of friction pertaining to a shoe on a tabletop surface. By utilizing a shoe, a spring scale, and weights, the goal is to analyze the factors influencing the force required to move the shoe across a specified surface.
Materials required for this experiment include a protractor, spring scales with varying measuring scales, one or more shoes, a laboratory table, and a range of weights.
Upon completion of this practical, students will engage in a comparative analysis between the static coefficient of friction and the kinetic coefficient of friction, presented in a formal Claim-Evidence-Reasoning format.
Here is a fun lab to teach Archimedes’ Principle using only an empty soup can and water
Define buoyant force. State Archimedes’ principle. Understand why objects float or sink. Understand the relationship between density and Archimedes’ principle.
This is a terrific resource to teach physics and math.
https://youtube.com/shorts/mISCjMRuPX0?si=ixpYl9V5GOO4h9yc
Description
Celebrate the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse with our comprehensive Total Solar Eclipse Teaching Lesson. On Monday, April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will traverse North America
Objective: To demonstrate an eclipse of the sun and the moon using models
Materials:
Light bulb
Golf bulb
Tennis ball
How to safely view this event is outlined in this product!!
This educational resource is designed to equip elementary students with engaging activities to enlighten them about this momentous astronomical event. If you are encountering difficulties in teaching the concept of Eclipses to your middle school students, this resource can provide valuable assistance.
The product has two main sections
Hands-on activity to simulate an eclipse.
Detailed safety procedures for observing the eclipse on the day of the event.
Benefits:
Enhance Engagement: Transform the Total Solar Eclipse into a dynamic and educational experience that captivates students through interactive learning. I By incorporating hands-on activities, this lesson ensures that all students can delve into the marvels of the Solar Eclipse. Ideal for educators and homeschooling parents aiming to fascinate their students with the enchantment of the 2024 Solar Eclipse.
This lesson is suitable for both traditional classroom settings and homeschooling environments, offering quick setup and breakdown for ease of use.
If you’re looking for a fun, easy, precise sound resonance lab, this has worked great for years. To actually be able to find the speed of sound at around 340 m/s in a classroom setting is pretty amazing.
Physics students will love determining the speed of sound in air with this fun and editable lab! This activity is ideal for a classroom setting or for the homeschooler.
Objective
Calculate the speed of sound using the principle of resonance in a tube.
Are you looking for a fun lab with no prep to motivate your high school students to learn about graphing speed. Here it is!!
Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to
Define acceleration and velocity.
Describe the differences between velocity and acceleration. Identify and utilize the formula for calculating the average acceleration of an object in given scenarios.
Students will go to the track and race a person against someone on a bike.
Your class will go out on the track and have a student do a 100-meter dash, recording their time at every 5-meter interval. (Have one person stand at each 5-meter mark and use their stopwatch.) Repeat that experiment, but with a bicycle starting from rest, in the highest (hardest to push) gear, and pushing with maximum force on the pedals.
After students collect the data, make one correctly labeled position vs. time graph which includes a curve representing the motion of each racer.
They will have the opportunity to learn about acceleration and make predictions if the track was longer.
https://classful.com/product/astronomy-apollo-13-movie-guide-lab-and-space-inventions-middle-school-science/
Description
NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy
Part 1
STEM This lesson can be used during the movie or as a WebQuest prior to watching the 1995 film starring Tom Hanks. This movie is played at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium by NASA for my 8th-grade students on field trips. The answer key is included and written in red to make grading easier.
Part 2
Students will learn the contributions to their everyday life from the Space Program
Part 3 Lab
How do astronauts feel when they are working in space
Materials
Nuts and Bolts
Rubber gloves
Big Bowl
Water
https://youtube.com/shorts/RvZXELdSQJY?si=6VKU4MYVBceTJkCp
Description
Are you having a hard time teaching your students about the constellations in the night sky? Here is your answer. Classroom-tested for many years. Students have informed me years later that they still look at the night sky.
Complete discussion questions with answers to engage your students!
Objectives
Become familiar with the constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere
Observe the constellations visible on a particular night.
Your students will learn how to make an astrolabe and star charts.
Included also 3 labs.
Detailed instructions on how to make star grazing safe.
2 Graphic organizers which students can complete for extra credit or keep as emergency sub plans.
Materials
Large Index Card
Protractor
String 30 cm
Large Metal Hex Nut
Tape
Plastic Drinking Straw
Magnetic compass
Drawing compass
Construction paper
Colored pencils
Protractor
Metric ruler
Tennis ball
Basket Ball or soccer ball
Bunsen burner
Googles
Picture Wire
Pliers
SCI.K.8.C
Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky. The student is expected to: observe, describe, and illustrate objects in the sky such as the clouds, Moon, and stars, including the Sun.
Total Pages
19 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
2 Weeks
https://youtube.com/shorts/X8T_-fDsUZE?si=BxXuYq8KPBzpLaEq
Description
Are you trying to teach your Middle School Students about Black Holes in an engaging manner?
This product is for you!
Students will be able to explain how scientists are able to
A. Find Black Holes
B. Determine the chemical composition of stars
Contains 2 No Prep Labs
MATERIALS
Glow Sticks
Index Cards
You can use this lesson during your Astronomy unit or chemistry!!
It connects chemistry with space science.
Total Pages
4 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
1 hour
https://youtube.com/shorts/X8T_-fDsUZE?si=f2gO-RI5gNmzAsXu
Description
Are you trying to teach your Middle School Students about Black Holes in an engaging manner?
This product is for you!
Students will be able to explain how scientists are able to
A. Find Black Holes
B. Determine the chemical composition of stars
Contains 2 No Prep Labs
MATERIALS
Glow Sticks
Index Cards
You can use this lesson during your Astronomy unit or chemistry!!
It connects chemistry with space science.
Total Pages
4 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
1 hour
https://youtube.com/shorts/bMBWzRklgBE?si=c9fnLKkL2_9DUdSm
The following standards are listed
PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life
This lab can be used in chemistry, health, physics, or Earth Science class.
Students will learn the effects of evaporation on cooling. Materials are items found in every science class. They will fill in a chart with their data to discover the information for themselves. A worksheet is included to check your students; understanding.
Materials
2 Thermometers
2 Pieces of dry cloth
Water
*Answer key is provided
Need an engaging activity to investigate UV radiation and its effect on your students’ health.
Keep your young scientists safe this summer with the knowledge gathered with this fun lab. Your students will be surprised to see white beads change color with exposure to UV light. Great to encourage the use of sunscreen. This lab is perfect for end-of-year, camps or part of your health lessons.
I have also used it during my unit on Astronomy
MATERIALS
UV beads
Sunscreen 15,30, 50
Ziploc bags
Contains
Lab Instructions
Worksheet to learn the importance of sunscreen
Description
Are you teaching your students the planet’s size, density, and tO distance from the sun? This interesting hands-on project will motivate your students to learn and apply math concepts to science.
This product contains
Directed Reading
2 Mini Labs
Lab A Compare the size of planets to the size of certain objects in the real world
Lab B Pennies and Coke Cans (One of my all-time favorite activities)
Walking to the Rocky Planets (Get your students outside, active, and review math skills)
MATERIALS
Permanent marker
11 clean empty 12-ounce (340g) aluminum soda cans
Masking tape or duct tape
1,100 pennies ($11 in pennies coins
1 Full, unopened can of the same liquid
Permanent marker
11 clean empty 12-ounce (340g) aluminum soda cans
Masking tape or duct tape
1,100 pennies ($11 in pennies coins
1 Full, unopened can of the same liquid
1-meter stick
1 yogurt cup
1 large nail
1 small nail
Total Pages
15 pages