Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 27
Where Will It Go?
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners predict where a ball will go after it bounces off another object. Learners discover that the motion of objects is predictable based on laws of motion.
Physics Tug of War
Learners set up books with rubber bands stretched between the books. When two identical books are stretched apart and released, they move back toward each other an equal distance.
Watch It Fly
Source Institutions
Learners observe projectile motion by launching wooden balls off of a table top. They set up a rubber-band launcher so that each ball experiences a consistent amount of force.
How Far?
To learn how friction affects motion, learners build a measurement tool from a rubber band and other simple materials.
Crank It Up
Source Institutions
In this engineering activity, learners explore simple machines and then build cardboard automata using cams.
Playing with Parachutes
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore how parachutes are used to slow down moving objects. Learners work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own parachutes out of everyday items.
Parabola Basketball
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build mini-basketball courts and explore the laws of physics. Learners discover that everything you throw or shoot on earth travels in a parabola.
Magnetic Marble Run
Source Institutions
Learners explore magnetism and motion as they build a simple marble run. Learners test different arrangements of plastic and cardboard tubes, bottles, and cups on a magnetic board.
My Solar System
Source Institutions
In this online activity, learners build their own system of heavenly bodies and watch the gravitational ballet.
Newton Car
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners work in teams to investigate the relationship between mass, acceleration, and force as described in Newton's second law of motion.
Visualizing How the Vestibular System Works
Source Institutions
In this activity (page 59 of the PDF), learners spin and observe false eyelashes in jars of water (prepared at least 1 day ahead of time) to investigate the effects of different types of motion on the
Marble Drop Game
Source Institutions
Build your own version of a favorite carnival game, in which a marble races down a maze consisting of rows of nails.
Egg Bungee
Source Institutions
Learners attach an egg to a rubber-band bungee cord and drop the egg.
Marble Ride
Source Institutions
In this activity, challenge learners to design a roller coaster ride for a marble using cardboard and other simple materials.
Seas in Motion
Source Institutions
In this outdoor, beach activity, learners use tennis balls, water balloons and other simple devices to investigate the movement of waves and currents off a sandy beach.
Catapult
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build mini catapults using paint paddles and a spoon. Use this activity to introduce learners to forces and projectile motion.
FlyBy Math: Distance-Rate-Time Problems in Air Traffic Control
Source Institutions
In this small-group activity, learners assume the roles of pilots, air traffic controllers, and NASA scientists to solve five Air Traffic Control (ATC) problems.
Paper Tape Motion Timer
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners build a recording timer made from simple materials (e.g., small dc motor, sharpie pen, craft sticks, adding machine paper tape, etc.).
Cylindrical Wing
Source Institutions
In this design and physics challenge, learners construct a cylindrical wing, fly it, make modifications, and determine how the changes affect flight patterns.