In these Hero Elementary activities, children investigate what makes objects easier or more difficult to move. They try to build structures that are well-balanced and don’t fall down, and they test their structures with a push.
Learn about motion, forces, and sources of energy as you direct a train to the finish line in Rail Rally from Dinosaur Train.
Introduce your children to the concepts of physical science, specifically motion and stability: forces and interactions with this game from The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! Nick and Sally are testing out the newest slides in Frictionarium. By changing a slide's height and texture, kids will engage in cause and effect as they race with Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Simple machines decrease the force, or effort, needed to lift and move heavy objects. There are several different types of simple machines, including levers, wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, and screws.
The classroom resource provides a slide show that will explain the different types of simple machines and how they work. This resource can provide background information for students before they conduct their own investigations. There is also a short test that can be used to assess students' understanding.
Children explore reusing and recycling materials, and wind power, in this lesson plan featuring hands-on activities and a video excerpt from Curious George. They begin by watching a video in which Curious George gathers trash to help clean up the city streets and discovers that he can create something special with his found treasures. Children then use recycled materials to build toy boats that can sail. They discuss ways to make objects move with wind, then use child-generated wind power to move their boats in water. They conclude by sharing their boats with each other and brainstorming other ways in which they could recycle materials in the classroom.
This lesson is part of the Curious George STEM Collection.
