Explore the forces at work when pulling against a cart, and pushing a refrigerator, crate, or person. Create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. Change friction and see how it affects the motion of objects.

Students will explore what they can do with balls, cars, marbles, and ramps and document findings in their science journals. This will engage their curiosity, allow them to make self-discoveries, and explore self-interests.

Through the use of movement and observation, the students will be able to identify objects that can be moved and identify and problem solve how to move objects. Included in this lesson are videos of the activity, a vocabulary chart, and...

Third graders learn how a catapult works and build their own.

The NSTA vetted source includes resources to teach how to analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull. Included are assessment ideas, videos,...

In this document, we will try to answer a fundamental question of physical science, "Why do things start to move, slow down, speed up, stop moving or change direction?" In answering these core questions we can develop concepts that can...

Learn how pushes and pulls relate to theconcept of force and motion.

Learn about pushing and pulling.

Learn about forces (push or pull), gravity, and friction in this module by training dolphins.

Children discuss, observe, and play with equipment used in familiar sports, and then brainstorm a list of familiar sports and the equipment used in the sports. They discuss how the equipment is used, and predict how it is put into motion...

An interactive tool where students can explore how a spring behaves, and how changing the elasticity, mass, push/pull force, and friction affect its motion or period. As the spring moves, its motion is shown on a distance-time graph.

A learning module reviewing how much force is needed to push or pull objects. Also learn about the force of gravity.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes what motion is and what causes an object to move. Streamline videos, activities, and assessment are included.

Students will make predictions and conduct an experiment using marbles to figure out what types of things can cause a moving object to change direction. Included is a video of the lesson in action, pictures, discussion questions, and a...

Students will be able to explain what is needed to stop an object by completing a simple investigation. Students will experiment with Hot Wheel cars and record their predictions on a recording sheet. Included are videos of the...

Students are asked to create a bungee jump that will protect a hard-boiled egg from breaking. A force sensor is needed to measure the push/pull forces on the egg. Data is inserted into force-time graphs. After completing three...

Through hands-on activities, this lesson will show students that a force is a push or a pull and forces cause changes in motion. Included are a minute-by-minute lesson plan, activities, and teacher discussion points and questions.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Featurea the definition of combining forces: Pulling down and pushing up, forces acting in opposite directions, forces acting in the same direction.

This site describes different types of linkages and how they are used in simple machines.

An easy to do activity that investigates the basic theories of inertia. The activity is in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.

An easy to do activity that investigates Bernoulli's principle. The activity is presented in lesson plan format that meets NSES standards.