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Nevjinder Singhota
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607/592-4053
mcw96@cornell.edu
Physics Kits
| Experiment | Objective | Grade Levels | Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
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What causes an object to move? Learn about Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, while constructing and testing airboats. |
6-8
3-5
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Physics
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Launch a rocket using a film canister and an alka-seltzer tablet. Students will be able to observe and understand how the laws of motion apply to their rocket. They will also investigate how a variable might affect the flight of it.
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6-8
3-5
|
Physics
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How do boats float? Classify different materials and see which ones float or sink. Use this knowledge of materials to engineer your own boat and see how much weight you can carry. Students can be introduced to the concept of buoyancy. |
K-2
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Physics
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How is a bridge able to support all that weight on it? Students examine the forces that affect bridges, learn the advantages and disadvantages between different types of bridges, and build their own bridge to meet certain specifications. |
6-8
3-5
|
Physics
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What is Archimedes’ Principle and how does it apply to me? Learn about this famous discovery and why objects are able to float. Students will also work on their measuring skills for mass and volume. They will apply these concepts by constructing a Cartesian diver. |
6-8
3-5
|
Physics
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| This kit is not available. | 6-8 | Physics | |
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How does a catapult work? Students will build a basic catapult that hurls marshmallows at targets. Introduce your students to levers, as well as potential and kinetic energy. They will then test variables to engineer the most accurate catapult. A great tie-in with ancient and medieval history. |
6-8
3-5
|
Physics
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Give students an experience in engineering while teaching principles of physics. Introduce students to the scientific processes of experimentation and trial and error. |
9-12
|
Physics
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Discovering Density
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How can you identify a material? Students will measure and observe the relationship between mass and volume and how materials have a specific ratio. They will then apply this to calculating the amount of load a boat can hold and testing out the best boat design. |
4-8 |
Physics
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To further student understanding of density by comparing liquids of different densities quantitatively and qualitatively.
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6-8
|
Physics
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What happens when a wave encounters an obstacle? Learn about principles of light and light waves. Discover how diffraction and interference of light waves can be used to measure things. |
9-12
|
Physics
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Practice the scientific method through accurate data collection and analysis. Students will be informally introduced to the concept of momentum and force. |
3-5
|
Physics
The Scientific Process
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Students will understand what an electromagnet is and how it works. They will be able to explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism. |
6-12
|
Physics
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Using hands-on activities, students will learn about the properties and types of friction and how it affects students’ lives. They will apply what they have learned by designing a styrofoam tortoise for a friction race. |
6-8
|
Physics
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How does a microscope magnify an object? Students will learn about lenses, build their own microscopes, and calculate the magnification for it. |
6-12
|
Physics
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What is the scientific method? Students will learn about this process by launching tennis balls into the air. They will make predictions, collect data, make a graph, and come up with answers based on their results. |
3-5
|
Physics
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How does light behave? Have your students figure out the different ways that light can behave with hands-on activities. They will then perform a series of labs to confirm some basic rules. |
6-8
|
Physics
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How does light behave? Have your students figure out the different ways that light can behave with these hands-on activities. They will then look more closely at refraction and learn about Snell’s Law. An introduction to the field non-destructive testing, will have them conducting experiments to see how refraction can be used to detect damage in materials. |
9-12
|
Physics
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Learn how hard drives work; review basic principles of magnetism and understand how digital electronics store information in binary. |
6-8
|
Physics
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Introduce magnetism to young children. Explore which objects are magnetic and which are not; learn about magnetic poles and which magnets are strongest. |
K-2
|
Physics
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What is the relationship between Force, Mass, and Speed. Students will alter these variables, using Matchbox cars, to see if they can prove the second law of motion. |
6-9
|
Physics
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How are airplanes able to overcome gravity to fly in the air? Students will perform some demos to learn about Bernoulli’s Principle.They will then construct a hoop airplane and look at how a variable affects its flight, as well as what forces are acting on the plane. |
3-5 6-8
|
Physics
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Learn about potential and kinetic energy, as well as slope and how it affects the distance a ball will roll. |
3-5
|
Physics
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What does physics have to do with bridges? Use Newton’s Laws in designing a bridge by using free body diagrams and Hooke’s Law to choose an appropriate bridge design and material for the project. To use engineering skills to build and test a bridge. |
9-12
|
Physics
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Introduce your students to longitudinal and transverse waves with some hands-on activities. They will be able to demonstrate the properties of a transverse wave while meeting one of the standards for NGSS. Students will also build their own musical instrument and run computer simulations to explore wave properties. |
6-8
|
Physics
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What causes a wave? Use a wave machine to engage your students in understanding the parts of a wave. Students will also build a an instrument that uses sound waves to communicate information. |
3-5
|
Physics
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