Projects, Lessons, Activities (Page 62)

Study Kinetic Energy with a Rube Goldberg Machine

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

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Rube Goldberg machines—machines that complete a simple task in a convoluted way—are intriguing, artistic, and fun! In this lesson, students will design and build such a machine themselves and use the concept of kinetic energy in the process. Before students start designing, they will do an experiment that explores how kinetic energy depends on the mass and the speed of the moving object. With a clear understanding of this concept, students then tackle the engineering design… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-PS3-1. Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object.
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

Study Photosynthesis with the Floating Leaf Disk Assay

Lesson Plan Grade: 6th-8th

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Plants carry out photosynthesis to produce sugars that they need as an energy source to live and grow. During photosynthesis, oxygen—a gas that many living beings need to survive—is released. This makes photosynthesis one of the most important biological processes on Earth. In Part 1 of this lesson plan, students will utilize the floating leaf disk assay to demonstrate the production of oxygen gas during photosynthesis. They will then continue to design and conduct their own… Read more

NGSS Performance Expectations:

MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

Studying Bernoulli's Principle

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Did you know that you can actually make objects come together by blowing air between them? Find out how wind changes air pressure to bring to objects together in this easy and fun science fair project! Read more

Sunset Colors in a Glass

STEM Activity

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Have you ever watched a sunset and wondered why the sky suddenly changes from blue to orange and red? Even during the day, the sky can have multiple colors ranging from bright blue to grey or white. Where do these colors come from? In this activity you will find out, and simulate your own sunset in a glass! Ready to let the sun go down? Read more

Supercooling Water and Snap Freezing

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Can water remain liquid below its normal freezing point? If it does, that water is supercool(-ed). This project shows you a method for supercooling water. You can test water from different sources to see whether or not it can be supercooled. Read more

Surface Science: Where Does a Basketball Bounce Best?

STEM Activity

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Playing basketball can be hard work. Players not only constantly run around the court, but just dribbling the basketball takes effort too. Have you ever wondered why that is? It has to do with how the basketball bounces. When the ball hits the court, its bounce actually loses momentum by transferring some of its energy into a different form. This means that to keep the ball bouncing, players must continually put more energy into the ball. In this activity, you will explore how high a basketball… Read more

Test and Change the Air Quality of Your Environment

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Do you ever wonder if the air inside is cleaner or dirtier than the air you breathe outside? In this science experiment, you will test it using an air quality monitor. Have you ever wondered how lighting a candle in your room impacts your air quality? Did you cook and not turn on the fan? How did it affect your breathing, and how did it impact the air quality? In this project, you can see how these environmental factors can improve or worsen the air you breathe every day. Read more

Testing the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Think back to the last time you went to the grocery store. How well can you describe the person who was ahead of you in the check-out line? How many details do you remember about the person? How accurate do you think your memory is? Here is a project to investigate the accuracy of people's observations during everyday life. Read more

The Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion

STEM Activity

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Is it a circle? Is it a square? Or is it both? Make your own 3D printed "ambiguous cylinder" illusion in this fun activity. Read more

The Bouba-Kiki Effect

STEM Activity

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If you had to name some shapes "Bouba" and others "Kiki," which name would you give a pointy shape? How about a rounded shape? Would your friends have the same answers? In this activity, you will investigate the Bouba-Kiki effect to learn more about the human brain's fascinating connection between shapes and sounds. Read more

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