Balancing Forces

May the force be with you.

Building on their kindergarten study of force and motion, Third Grade scientists explore the unseen forces that act on and around them every day. Using a backdrop of developing an explanation of how a floating train works for the citizens of the fictional town of Faraday, students explore ideas about balanced and unbalanced forces, gravity, inertia, friction, and magnetism. Students learn to use data tables and force diagrams to make sense of data and, through a variety of firsthand experiences and student-to-student discussions, they grapple with developing beginning understanding of challenging physical science concepts.