Force and Motion
Next Generation Science Standards: Force and Motion Unit
3-PS2-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. Examples: unbalanced forces on a ball can make it start moving; balanced forces on both sides of a ball will cause it to remain still.
3-PS2-2: Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion. Example: a child swinging on a swing or using a see-saw.
3-PS2-3: Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
3-PS2-4: Defind a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets.
Balanced and Unbalanced Force Explorations:
The students needed to work collaboratively with a partner to identify ways that they could balance pushing against one another. Some students were very creative and discovered what forces needed to be placed where in order to balance with their partner.
Obstacle Courses:
The students were given a task to create an obstacle course out of a variety of materials (Legos, cardboard, Jenga blocks, base 10 blocks, or create your own! They were challenged to move a cotton ball throughout the course with air blown from a straw and identify how unbalanced and balanced forces cause the cotton ball to stay still or move.
