II. PHYSICAL SCIENCE TOPICS

1. Motions of Objects
2. Energy
3. Properties of Matter
4. Changes in Matter

Additional Sites for Physical Science

1. Teaching Units / Lesson Plans
2. Student Activities / Projects / Interactive Sites
3. Information / Facts / Data / Reports
4. Videos / Movies / Animations
5. Photographs / Slides / Diagrams / Graphics
6. Periodicals / Journals / Newspapers
7. Searches / Explorations / Investigations
8. Physical Science Topics for Teachers

Middle School

1. "Motion can be described by a change in position relative to a point of reference. An object’s motion can be described by its speed and the direction it is moving. An object’s position and speed can be measured and graphed as a function of time."
   1. Free Body Diagrams
      In middle school, students study the concepts that are covered in Newton's three laws. This site contains background information on Newton's laws and related concepts, including mass, weight, frictional forces, forces in circular motion, and the force of gravity. The concept maps help students to discern the relationships among concepts.
   2. NASA Glenn Learning Technologies Project - Rocket Activities
      With some simple and inexpensive materials, you can mount an exciting and productive physical science unit about rockets for children.  The guide begins with background information sections on the history of rocketry, scientific principles, and practical rocketry. The sections on scientific principles and practical rocketry are based on Isaac Newton's Three Laws of Motion. These laws explain why rockets work and how to make them more efficient.
   3. Roller Coaster Physics
      Outstanding.  This Webquest will relate the ideas of Newton’s Laws of Motion to the thrill and excitement of riding the biggest and baddest roller coasters around.  Students research Newton’s Laws of Motion and roller coasters.  Students will then use their research and knowledge to evaluate roller coasters.
   4. Science Lesson Plans
      Site contains lesson plans with activities that cover the above enablers under the headings: Forces, Motion, Work, Energy and Simple Machines. Each plan is detailed and includes grade level and material needed.
   5. The Physics Classroom
      Outstanding! Newton's Laws can be found here. Inertia and mass, balanced and unbalanced forces, State of motion, and a whole lot more. This site is a site you will want to check out.
   6. The U of O Physics Student Page
      This has a few interactive lessons for 1-dimensional kenimatics.
2. "Forces have a magnitude and direction. Forces can be added. The net force on an object is the sum of all of the forces acting on the object. An object’s speed and/or direction of motion changes when a non-zero net force is applied to it. A balanced force on an object does not change the objects motion (the object either remains at rest or continues to move at a constant speed in a straight line)."
   1. Frank Potter's Science Gems
      Excellent site for student interaction with several concepts, including, force, motion, acceleration, gravity, velocity, etc... Includes several student activities where students are able to change the parameters. Contains many excellent links to sites on this topic.
   2. Free Body Diagrams
      Helps students develop skills in drawing free body diagrams by providing background information, examples, and an online self-test.
   3. Roller Coaster Physics
      Great information on types of energy and conservation of energy via amusement park rides and games. Some student interaction on the main page, on the midway.
3. "Some forces between objects act when the objects are in direct contact (touching), such as friction and air resistance, or when they are not in direct contact (not touching), such as magnetic force, electrical force, and gravitational force."
   1. Applied Science - Electric and Magentic Forces This is generally a resource site, but it has some really nice interactive slide shows about electricity and magnetism, including their history. There are lessons with materials, background, procedures, questions, etc.
   2. Auroras: Paintings in the Sky
      Good interactive site with lots of pictures. Explains the formation of auroras and their relationship to the earth's magnetic field. Good connection with solar system and atmospheric science as well. Lesson plans provided.
   3. Build Beakman's Electric Motor
      See a very easy way for your middle or high school students to build and even take home a motor of their own for little money and easy to find materials.  Many links to similar sites and scroll down to the end for directions to build.  Note: Play with the motor yourself ahead of time, many materials can be adjusted from the suggested materials. (such as… ring magnets instead of rectangular, plastic cup for base instead of wood block, vary wire loop sizes by getting different dowel sizes instead of toilet paper roll, different gauge wire… many opportunities for discovery for students)
   4. Building Big: Forces Lab
      Enables students to experiment with the forces that affect structures. They can also investigate how the shape of a structure and the materials from which it is constructed affect its ability to withstand forces. Closely related to this benchmark in that it related forces to their effect on objects around them. Also related to benchmarks 1 and 2. Ideal for a hands on project revolving around these ideas.
   5. Circles of Magnetism IV
      This activity demonstrates how electricity can move something by using two parallel, current-carrying wires that exert forces on each other.
   6. SIMPLE MACHINES
      Teacher lesson plans for pulleys, levers, inclined planes, screws, wedges, wheel and axle, and machines within machines. There are also subsets of activities within these topics.
   7. Simple Machines
      This site gives you an explanation of each simple machine.  Then, put simple machines to work as you build a tree house.
   8. Static Electricity
      Teacher and student resource with fun diagrams and graphics. Includes simple activities.
   9. Super Sparker
      Try this simple experiment and make your own lightning. The directions and illustrations are great. There is a follow-up article that explains the science principles involved in the experiment.
   10. Work is Simple With Simple Machines
       Teacher lesson plans & student activities with all six simple machines. Wheel & Axle, screw, inclined plane, pulleys, wedge & Lever. Includes force and work activities. Also contains links to other sites.
   11. Frank Potter's Science Gems
       Excellent site for student interaction with several concepts, including, force, motion, acceleration, gravity, velocity, etc... Includes several student activities where students are able to change the parameters. Contains many excellent links to sites on this topic.
   12. Free Body Diagrams
       Helps students develop skills in drawing free body diagrams by providing background information, examples, and an online self-test.
   13. Roller Coaster Physics
       Great information on types of energy and conservation of energy via amusement park rides and games. Some student interaction on the main page, on the midway.