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Journal Article

Science Shorts: “Knowing” Newton By: Chris Ohana Grade Level: Elementary School Newton’s Laws seem simple and familiar. Despite their apparent simplicity, these laws are often misunderstood. In the following lesson, students will become better acquainted with Newton and his laws as they test what happens when a force is applied to an object. They will determine that a force either speeds an object or slows it down. Students will test what happens when a force is applied to an object. They will determine that a force either speeds...  [view full summary] Newton’s Laws seem simple and familiar. Despite their apparent simplicity, these laws are often misunderstood. In the following lesson, students will become better acquainted with Newton and his laws as they test what happens when a force is applied to an object. They will determine that a force either speeds an object or slows it down. Students will test what happens when a force is applied to an object. They will determine that a force either speeds an object up or slows it down. Students will document the speeding up of a toy car as they apply a constant push. They will then investigate the effects of friction on the car to see that forces can speed something up but they can also slow objects down. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free      Nonmember Price: $0.99

SciGuide

Force and Motion Grade Level: Middle School SciGuides are a collection of thematically aligned lesson plans, simulations, and web-based resources for teachers to use with their students centered on standards-aligned science concepts. Whether planning a trip to mars, determining the structure of atoms and molecules, or using tire marks to recreate an automobile accident, many of the applications of science involve prediction of what objects are going to do and how they will interact....  [view full summary] SciGuides are a collection of thematically aligned lesson plans, simulations, and web-based resources for teachers to use with their students centered on standards-aligned science concepts. Whether planning a trip to mars, determining the structure of atoms and molecules, or using tire marks to recreate an automobile accident, many of the applications of science involve prediction of what objects are going to do and how they will interact. Fortunately, we know a great deal about such motions and interactions, thanks to centuries of scientists studying just these things. This SciGuide addresses four main themes—describing position and motion, Newton’s first law, Newton’s second law, and Newton’s third law. Accurate and reliable descriptions of where something is and what it’s doing are essential for laying a groundwork for the causes of motion and changes in motion. Newton’s laws, used by scientists and laypeople alike, provide the solid framework of those causes. The contents of this SciGuide will provide resources for understanding and applying all these concepts in a way that will tie the formal statements with practical experiences and applications. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $4.95      Nonmember Price: $5.95

NSTA Press Book

Tried and True: Time-Tested Activities for Middle School Edited by: Inez Liftig Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School A compilation of popular “Tried and True” columns originally published in the award-winning journal Science Scope, this new book is filled with teachers’ best classroom activities—time-tested, tweaked, and engaging. These favorites are organized by topic, including physical science, life science, Earth and space science, and instructional strategies. Activities like "Investigating Ecosystems in a Biobottle," "Balloons and Newton’s Third Law,"...  [view full summary] A compilation of popular “Tried and True” columns originally published in the award-winning journal Science Scope, this new book is filled with teachers’ best classroom activities—time-tested, tweaked, and engaging. These favorites are organized by topic, including physical science, life science, Earth and space science, and instructional strategies. Activities like "Investigating Ecosystems in a Biobottle," "Balloons and Newton’s Third Law," and "Helicopter Seeds and Hypotheses …That’s Funny!" are hands-on lessons that pique students’ interest and demonstrate important science concepts. Teachers will appreciate the accompanying activity worksheets, visual aids, and connections to the national standards. These ageless activities will fit easily into your middle school curriculum and serve as permanent go-to resources when you need a tried-and-true lesson for tomorrow. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $20.76      Nonmember Price: $25.95

e-book

Tried and True: Time-Tested Activities for Middle School (e-book) Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School A compilation of popular “Tried and True” columns originally published in the award-winning journal Science Scope, this new book is filled with teachers’ best classroom activities—time-tested, tweaked, and engaging. These favorites are organized by topic, including physical science, life science, Earth and space science, and instructional strategies. Activities like "Investigating Ecosystems in a Biobottle," "Balloons and Newton’s Third Law,"...  [view full summary] A compilation of popular “Tried and True” columns originally published in the award-winning journal Science Scope, this new book is filled with teachers’ best classroom activities—time-tested, tweaked, and engaging. These favorites are organized by topic, including physical science, life science, Earth and space science, and instructional strategies. Activities like "Investigating Ecosystems in a Biobottle," "Balloons and Newton’s Third Law," and "Helicopter Seeds and Hypotheses …That’s Funny!" are hands-on lessons that pique students’ interest and demonstrate important science concepts. Teachers will appreciate the accompanying activity worksheets, visual aids, and connections to the national standards. These ageless activities will fit easily into your middle school curriculum and serve as permanent go-to resources when you need a tried-and-true lesson for tomorrow. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $16.87      Nonmember Price: $19.46

Book Chapter

Nanoforces in Nature: Using Atomic Force Microscopy to Explore Microbe-Mineral Interactions By: Andrew S. Madden, Michael F. Hochella Jr., George E. Glasson, Julie R. Grady, Tracy L. Bank, André M. Green, Mary A. Norris, Andrew N. Hurst, and Susan C. Eriksson Grade Level: High School This lesson uses computer simulations of an atomic force microscope to investigate bacteria-mineral forces of interaction on the order of nanonewtons over nanoscale distances of interaction. In this lesson, students • learn about the atomic force microscope (AFM), one of the most important tools used in nanoscale science and technology; • see how the AFM is a versatile tool that can be used to study many things, including both organic...  [view full summary] This lesson uses computer simulations of an atomic force microscope to investigate bacteria-mineral forces of interaction on the order of nanonewtons over nanoscale distances of interaction. In this lesson, students • learn about the atomic force microscope (AFM), one of the most important tools used in nanoscale science and technology; • see how the AFM is a versatile tool that can be used to study many things, including both organic and inorganic systems; • discover how the AFM can be used to measure the forces of interaction among individual molecules, bacteria, and minerals; • construct a model AFM; • use the model AFM to generate data relating magnetic force to distance; • plot actual research data collected from the AFM to generate a force curve; and • relate changes in AFM force curves to changing conditions in the column experiments. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79      Nonmember Price: $3.49

Journal Article

The Art of Physics By: Arlene Spevak Grade Level: High School The algebraic concepts and major ideas that govern Newton’s laws of motion can often be a challenge for the majority of ninth-grade students. Therefore, to make learning these concepts less task-oriented and more enjoyable, the author developed lessons that allow students to construct and express their understanding of these ideas through cartooning. This article describes cartooning as an alternative activity in high school physical science, where...  [view full summary] The algebraic concepts and major ideas that govern Newton’s laws of motion can often be a challenge for the majority of ninth-grade students. Therefore, to make learning these concepts less task-oriented and more enjoyable, the author developed lessons that allow students to construct and express their understanding of these ideas through cartooning. This article describes cartooning as an alternative activity in high school physical science, where students are able to demonstrate understanding of Newton’s laws of motion through cooperative learning and differentiated instruction. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free      Nonmember Price: $0.99

Journal Article

Rocketing into Adaptive Inquiry By: Stephen J. Farenga, Beverly A. Joyce, and Thomas W. Dowling Grade Level: Middle School To ensure that each student achieves success, teachers can tailor activities with students’ strengths and weaknesses in mind using the process of adaptive inquiry. Adaptive inquiry is the product of the synergistic relationship between what a student brings to the classroom and the teacher’s ability to shape a lesson in response to the needs of the student. The following is an example of an adaptive inquiry activity that uses Launch System...  [view full summary] To ensure that each student achieves success, teachers can tailor activities with students’ strengths and weaknesses in mind using the process of adaptive inquiry. Adaptive inquiry is the product of the synergistic relationship between what a student brings to the classroom and the teacher’s ability to shape a lesson in response to the needs of the student. The following is an example of an adaptive inquiry activity that uses Launch System Compressor (LCS) Rockets (paper tubes launched by squeezing a plastic bag filled with air). Many divergent outcomes are possible with this activity, but each one can be used to reach the ultimate objective of this lesson—teaching Newton’s third law of motion. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free      Nonmember Price: $0.99

Book Chapter

Experimenting With Force and Motion Using Origami Frogs By: John Eichinger Grade Level: Elementary School Objects in motion and the forces that move them are the subjects of this lesson. This practical series of activities offers students a dynamic understanding of Newton’s three laws of motion. In particular, the third law is investigated as students measure and analyze the jumping abilities of origami frogs. Objects in motion and the forces that move them are the subjects of this lesson. This practical series of activities offers students a dynamic understanding of Newton’s three laws of motion. In particular, the third law is investigated as students measure and analyze the jumping abilities of origami frogs. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79      Nonmember Price: $3.49

Book Chapter

Inertia Block By: Bruce Yeany Grade Level: High School, Middle School Newton's first law of motion describes the resistance of an object to change in the speed and direction of its motion. The law also holds that objects will resist being put into motion. This concept is described as inertia. This free selection from If You Build It They Will Learn offers a demonstration of inertia with a corresponding lesson. Also included: Table of Contents, Preface and, Introduction section. Newton's first law of motion describes the resistance of an object to change in the speed and direction of its motion. The law also holds that objects will resist being put into motion. This concept is described as inertia. This free selection from If You Build It They Will Learn offers a demonstration of inertia with a corresponding lesson. Also included: Table of Contents, Preface and, Introduction section. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free      Nonmember Price: Free

External Resource

External Resource: Round and Round They Go! Grade Level: High School, Middle School This activity from NASA’s Starchild site illustrates to learners/students that the order of planets as they orbit of around our Sun is based on more than just distance. If learners/students look at the amount of time it takes each planet to complete one orbit, they might ask why the outer planets take so much longer than the inner planets. Is it just because they have so much further to go? Or is some other factor involved? This lesson investigates....  [view full summary] This activity from NASA’s Starchild site illustrates to learners/students that the order of planets as they orbit of around our Sun is based on more than just distance. If learners/students look at the amount of time it takes each planet to complete one orbit, they might ask why the outer planets take so much longer than the inner planets. Is it just because they have so much further to go? Or is some other factor involved? This lesson investigates. Topics include: orbit, orbital period, revolution, gravity, Newton's Law of Gravitation, force, mass, and acceleration. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free      Nonmember Price: Free