Middle school physical science resources for Microsoft Word and for GATE

Projects, Unit Plans, GATE

Grades:

4th - 7th

Types:

Also included in: STEAM Class Bundle - Engineering Focus - 115+ Hours 374 pp Gifted GATE

Da Vinci Parachute Prototypes -- Hands-on STEM

Created by

Engineering, Geometry, Physical Science

In this lesson, students solve geometry problems and learn background physics concepts as they build a working model of Leonardo Da Vinci’s parachute. Logic, critical thinking, a bit of Renaissance history, writing and supporting conclusions with details from a source—it’s all here too! Make this extended lesson a cross-curricular, standards-based mini-unit, or just make it a cool building activity. Pick and choose the level of commitment right for you and your students. With the suggested e

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

Arctic Dogsled Racing Design Challenge - STEAM for Upper Elementary

Created by

Here’s an applied engineering challenge in which—just like in the real world of engineering—a poor design means limited success or even failure. In the Iditarod Sled Challenge, students apply their background knowledge of physical science and use logic and imagination to construct a miniature sled that will deliver “serum” to Nome, Alaska, just like Balto once did. Use this challenge in conjunction with your study of the arctic or the Iditarod--or as a stand-alone engineering challenge for the

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

Also included in: Gifted and Talented SURVIVAL KIT Bundle -- 235 pages, big discount!

AIR -- An Incredibly Cool STEAM Unit for Upper Elementary!

Created by

Balloon cars, hovercrafts, gliders, prototypes, zip-lines and air rockets, helicopters and more . . . Here is a full unit with more than 20 hours of critical thinking and hands-on activities designed specifically for all 21st Century Learners and nonverbally gifted learners. STEM teachers: this unit guides students through the engineering process time and time again—elementary style! Not only is this unit packed with critical thinking opportunities and rich in deeper understanding of physica

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

Unit Plans, GATE, Lesson

Also included in: Gifted and Talented SURVIVAL KIT Bundle -- 235 pages, big discount!

STEAM -- Snap n' Shoot Marshmallow Soccer Game

Created by

Applied Math, Engineering, Physical Science

Kid-built in a few hours . . . this goalie, net and goal, and cool marshmallow “snapper” is a complete kid-built soccer game. We don’t have to use our imagination here! Our snapper really shoots the marshmallow ball, and our goalies really defend. Use this building project as a challenging independent study for upper elementary, as a whole-class engineering project, or use it to make math and science applications like percentages, measurements and geometry, action/reaction, trajectory, etc.

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

Projects, Activities, GATE

CCSS:

5.NF.B.3

Also included in: KID CREATED GAMES Standards-based STEM and Math Games Bundle

SURVIVOR Challenge SPY Training STEM STEAM for GATE 4th to 8th Grades

Created by

Talking about too fun for school! I had 4th and 5th graders skipping recess for this one! Let’s combine an engineering challenge, physics background, creativity and engineering, and three dimensional building skills to create a Survivor-type challenge and training for professional spies. Here we have the engineering process--complete and in miniature! Note: This activity is a part of our bigger Spies unit. Watch for the unit to be published this spring. It is going to be recess-skipping co

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

GATE, Lesson

CCSS:

7.G.A.1

Also included in: KID CREATED GAMES Standards-based STEM and Math Games Bundle

The Crane Design and Building Challenge -- STEM Problem Solving

Created by

A best practice lesson for the teaching of physical science or GATE talent pools: In this lesson, students use the engineering process to build a working crane model that is strong enough to lift a stapler. There are no set patterns, pre-cut materials, or teacher-led building instructions here! Students engage in the engineering process to design and build their own working models of cranes. The teacher sets guidelines and limitations, provides feedback and monitors progress, instructs the

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

Also included in: Creativity Bundle for GATE Gifted and Talented and ALL

STEM in Action: Bird Wings and Gliding-Upper Elementary Gifted and Talented GATE

Created by

This lesson is perfect for the teacher who wants their students to explore and find answers rather than go out and get them. In this engaging discovery and prototyping STEM lesson, students explore how the shape of a wing affects gliding. Students construct a very simple but effective glider and then modify the glider as they explore answers to the question with experimentation and class synergy. You’ll get everything you need to start today: --pedagogy to help make the lesson a success --a

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

Also included in: 4th 5th +more COMPLETE PROGRAM Bundle Gifted and Talented GATE 400 pages 46% off

STEM Kid Engineering and Construction - Roman Polyspastos Crane

Created by

It’s kid-built with some guidance in a couple hours and the envy of friends—the ancient Roman polyspastos crane with treadwheel. Do you have a young engineer who needs an independent study project, a talented builder in home school, or need an engaging summer project for your nonverbally gifted child? If you have an engineering classroom and understand the value of hands-on exploration, the Roman Polyspastos Crane project is right for you. While building with kits or Legos or K’Nex is good, n

Subjects:

Homeschool Curricula, Activities, GATE

Grades:

3rd - 8th

Types:

Also included in: 30 Hours of STEAM ADVENTURES Bundle - 8 3-6 Hour Units Upper Elementary GATE

STEAM Glider Prototype Engineering Challenge for Upper Elem Gifted and Talented

Created by

We use the engineering process for this open-ended design challenge. All semester, my GATE kids have been building different gliders from blueprints, direct instruction, specific materials with patterns, and even store-bought balsa wood fighter gliders. Now it’s time for the real test! Can students construct—limited to specific resources—a glider which meets the three guidelines in the rules? As a bonus, can students research and apply physics knowledge to their real-world prototyping challen

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 8th

Types:

CCSS:

3.MD.B.3

, RI.5.1

, RI.5.4

, SL.5.1

STEM Kid Engineering -- Toy Car Air Propulsion Challenges

Created by

In the Toy Car Propulsion Challenges, students use the engineering process to plan, design, and build a system for a toy car to be propelled by a balloon and a blow dryer. A complete teacher dialogue following the lesson helps students discover the concept of air pressure. Appropriate for grades 3rd-6th—included are directions for the challenges, sample solutions, additional teacher instructions including a complete script for teaching air pressure, and the full lesson. This lesson is great

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

Also included in: Gifted and Talented for Busy Classroom Teachers - Over 350 pages!

STEM Kid Construction COLLECTION 110+ Pages 20+ Hours

Created by

Save more than 33% from individual purchases with this collection of popular STEM lessons! Combine engineering, science, and math in meaningful, hands-on activities and lessons in your classroom.THIS IS THE SOMEWHAT SMALLER VERSION OF AN EVEN LARGER BUNDLE.I use these STEM lessons with my 3-5 GATE groups, but they are suitable and adaptable up through 7th grade. Younger kids will need more guidance, and older kids will find plenty of challenge in these STEM projects.See the big preview.You get

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 7th

Types:

STEM Kid Engineering -- Street Lights and Desk Lamps

Created by

Need an independent study or small group GATE lesson that will be a sure-fire hit? Imagine your students had a personal desk lamp, the classroom lights dimmed, only a glow from a tiny bulb midst the quiet occasional rustling pages of novels atop desks. Ahh, peaceful! Now imagine the students built the lamp themselves—a miniature streetlight. They applied geometry and math calculations, constructed the light’s base from scratch and from blueprint specifications, and completed the wiring all o

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

CCSS:

Also included in: 30 Hours of STEAM ADVENTURES Bundle - 8 3-6 Hour Units Upper Elementary GATE

STEM Kid Engineering -- GR8 Gliders and Blueprints

Created by

In the GR8 Glider project, students build background knowledge about falling objects and drag, experiment with paper gliders and spinning cylinders, and then interpret “Wimpy Kid-style” blueprints to construct a very cool, large glider made from thin dowels and trash bags. Appropriate for grades 3rd-6th—included are printable blue-prints, additional teacher photos and instructions, and a full lesson. This lesson is GR8 for an extra building activity, STEM-centered classrooms, and Gifted and Ta

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 6th

Types:

STEM Mini Golf Enrichment - Upper Elementary + MS Whole Class + GATE Bonus

Created by

We enrich all students, no matter their ability. Download this hands-on and highly participatory enrichment! ‘Tis always the season for mini golf! In this lesson, we challenge students to think like scientists and discover the answer to a physical science question with a hypothesis, self-designed experiment, and hands-on challenge. In the process, students learn about inertia. Your students will be engaged and invited to be creative. Doh! You mean we have to write ideas, too? Good scie

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 7th

Types:

Also included in: Whole Group Enrichment Bundle SALE! 225p. for a Fantastic Year 40% Off

STEM Kid Engineering for GATE -- Pendulum Wrecking Ball and Magnetic Crane

Created by

Gifted and Talented, Math, Physical Science

Come on . . . who doesn’t at least occasionally want to smash stuff?! Use this as an independent project for future engineers, for a smaller STEM group--or if you have a “shop” at your disposal--as a whole class project. I used this with 5th grade GATE. It could be extended to experienced 4th grade engineers or up through 7th and 8th grade. The math concepts will be a big stretch for the younger kids but provide a healthy discussion. They’ll be right on target for our middle schoolers. We’

Subjects:

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

Projects, Unit Plans, GATE

Also included in: 35+ Hours of STEAM Adventures PART 2 Bundle - Elementary and GATE 3-6 Hrs Each

Quick Lab Sheet Balloon Rockets - Newton's Third Law

Created by

LVPhyMath

Great activity for Newton's Third Law. Just a quick and easy lab sheet for the classic balloon rocket lab for 8th grade physical science but also appropriate for high school physics and conceptual physics or for 5th-7th graders that have more than one class period. Includes materials needed, procedure and some questions for students to answer. I put two of these to a page so that paper can be saved. Just a simple lab - but one of the year's favorites!!

Subjects:

General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Grades:

5th - 12th

Types:

Laboratory, GATE

Kid Engineers Build Test Calculate and Share SIMPLE MACHINES - STEAM GATE

Created by

Build simple machines like engineers. Test them like scientists. Understand them like scholars. Present them like professionals. Even in our 21st Century technological world we still need designers, engineers, and craftspersons with a solid understanding of the basics to provide the tools to get the job done. How would you feel, after all, if your calculus teacher didn’t know the times tables? If you teach engineering, thrive in an active, hands-on environment, or guide gifted learners, Simple

Subjects:

Projects, Unit Plans, GATE

Grades:

4th - 7th

Types:

CCSS:

...

AIR CAR ENGINEERING CHALLENGE Blended or Independent Learning STEAM GATE

Created by

Can your students build a car propelled only by a blower/vac—using only the materials provided--that will travel 8 feet in the fastest time possible? This project takes grit, creativity, and kid engineering skills. Do your kids have it in them? But wait! We’re not just handing students the tools and materials to meet this engineering challenge. Students have to show they have the background, the grit, the resilience, the training, and the motivation to complete a series of 5 standards-bas

Subjects:

Unit Plans, Activities, GATE

Grades:

4th - 8th

Types:

CCSS:

5.NBT.A.3a

, 7.G.A.1

, 7.G.A.2

, 7.G.A.3

, RI.5.7

...

Build Five Different Gliders with these Units - 18 Hours of STEAM AT 33% Off

Created by

How about more than 18 hours of glider projects, 116 pages of lessons, and 5 units at 33% off individual purchases for your STEAM elective class or science groups? Your students will be building, designing, and flying gliders across the curriculum. Each unit focuses on different aspects of the engineering process and engineering skills—including reading blueprints, following directions, science background, reading for information, math, critical thinking, and prototyping. Use these all with

Subjects:

Grades:

3rd - 7th

Types:

Also included in: Gifted and Talented COMPLETE 3RD 4TH GRADE PROGRAM Vol. 2 GATE 70+ Hours

STEAM Activity - Make Your Own TOPS - Upper Elementary and Gifted and Talented

Created by

Make a cool top in just about an hour with a few materials! They work great, are fun, and are a good engineering challenge for upper elementary students. Materials • 110 weight or heavier card stock • Construction Paper • Compass or circle template • Glue • 5” of 3/16” round dowel per student – only costs about 25 cents per 3 feet • ¾” diameter wooden wheels with 3/16” holes (optional but with the optimal coolness)

Subjects:

Grades:

2nd - 6th

Types: