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Physics Kits

Experiment Objective Grade Levels Subjects

What causes an object to move? Learn about Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, while constructing and testing airboats.

6-8
3-5
Physics

How does a rocket work? 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.

 

6-8
3-5
Physics

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
Physics

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

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
This kit is not available. 6-8 Physics

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

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

What is materials science? Students will measure and characterize the properties of different materials. They will create a superhero that incorporates these material properties into special superpowers.

2-5
Materials Science, Physics
How can we use computer modeling to simulate real world conditions? In this interactive activity, students will see how coding (Python) can be used to set up a simulation. They will then alter variables in the simulation to try and figure out what are the best conditions to package M&M’s as densely as possible in a bag.
6-12
Physics

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

To further student understanding of density by comparing liquids of different densities quantitatively and qualitatively.

 

6-8
Physics

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

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

Students will build their own moisture sensor. They will learn how the circuit works and the role that resistors and logic gates play. They will use the sensor to test its sensitivity to soil moisture and look at how a variable affects soil moisture over time.

9-12
Physics

How can an electric current produce a magnetic field? How can a magnet produce a current? Students will explore these concepts as they test out different variables to create the strongest electromagnet.

6-12
Physics

What opposes motion? 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

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

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

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

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

Learn how hard drives work; review basic principles of magnetism and understand how digital electronics store information in binary.

6-8
Physics

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

What is a Moiré pattern and how are they created? Students will discover how sounds can create patterns and then look at how 2D layers can also create patterns. They will then test different variables to see how they affect the Moiré pattern.

6-12
Physics

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

What is the photoelectric effect and how is it significant? Students will explore this important discovery and use it to measure Planck’s Constant.

10-12
Physics

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

What is electrical resistance? Have your students use a resistance tube to find out what factors affect the resistance of a wire.

7-12
Physics

What affects how far a ball will roll down a hill? Students experiment with a rolling ball down a slope and learn about potential and kinetic energy.

3-5
Physics

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

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

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

How does a microwave heat up your food?  Through a series of hands-on activities, find out how you can get your students to learn about waves and how they are used in everyday life. They will explore how waves can transfer energy, learn about the properties of waves, and build an instrument to create and learn about sound.

6-9
Physics

 

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