Ted Goerner

This is a great hands-on lesson in which students will try to identify 10 unknown substances by measuring their densities and comparing their results to a list of known densities. It is designed to be used with a set of cubes manufactured by Sciencefirst.com called the Density Cube Set. There is a student worksheet to record data and make predictions, a very detailed 2 page set of teacher notes, a series of review/closure questions, and an answer key. There is no substitute for actually feeli

Students will use meter sticks, fulcrums, and spring scales to collect data on the force required to lift a 1 kilogram load off of a table. They will record data in a data chart that will clearly show the relationship between the position of the fulcrum and the ideal and actual mechanical advantages of the levers. Following completion of the data chart, there are ten questions that will require higher level thinking and a reinforcement of the scientific method. Teachers can provide manufactu

This is an fun, active, outdoor lab that requires students to time their classmates who volunteer to run a 50 meter sprint. Students will calculate average speed during Part 1 of the lab and instantaneous speed during Part 2. They will also create a colored multi-line graph in which each runner is shown as a different colored line. This is an exciting lab because it is athletic and competitive but it is also academically demanding since students will be averaging, calculating, and graphing.

This multi day lesson is guaranteed to be remembered by your students. Students will create a scale model of our solar system and then take that model outside and walk the corresponding distances between the planets. This will require some measuring, calculating, cooperative learning, research, and scientific communication. This lesson can be adapted to take three days or two weeks. Your students will never see the solar system in the same way again.

This is a fun, informative, and mind-blowing PowerPoint that addresses the question: "How Fast Are You Moving?" It answers the question by taking an amusing look at reference points or "frame of reference". It is a great way to introduce the topic of Motion and Relative Motion and it is also an eye opening way to teach a little bit about our place in the universe. In 21 slides you will see that we are all moving at astronomical speeds relative to the center of the Earth, the Sun, the center

Make a simple template from meter sticks and let your students create a full scale sidewalk chalk model of the James Webb Space Telescope mirror! Then have your students analyze their drawings to learn about hexagons, work some problems related to speed, distance, and time, and gain an appreciation for the vastness of our Universe! This activity involves a hands on cooperative learning activity and a series of thought provoking questions about the model and the actual telescope. Students will

This is a fun, meaningful, and concise lesson plan that will engage your students completely. It was inspired by Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos Mission. It was written by Ted Goerner, an 18 year veteran science teacher. Students will measure the lift capacity of a helium balloon and calculate how many balloons would be required to lift the Stratos capsule off the ground. Students will measure the mass and volume of their balloon and calculate its density. This lesson will compl