Tag

physics Archives - Taylor Made Science

Teaching Science

How do you rate in general Scientific Knowledge?

Here's an interesting Science Quiz done by the Pew Research Center. It contains some basic science knowledge questions in multiple choice format. Take the quiz and then see how you score against average American adults. You can also find overall results based on demographics. Follow another link to check out the full analysis of the poll that was designed to discover, "What the Public Does and Does Not Know About Science."
Cheryl Taylor
December 22, 2015
MotionPhysics

Rotational Motion with a Pinwheel

Kids love to play with pinwheels. Whether you buy one at the store or make your own (pinwheel making tutorial), add a little Physics to the fun! 1. Use a string and ruler to measure the outside distance around the outside of the pinwheel. 2. Mark one spot on the pinwheel in some way. Use color, a piece of tape, etc. Just make sure the mark is very visible, even when the pinwheel is spinning.…
Cheryl Taylor
September 8, 2014
ForcesPhysics

Learning about Buoyancy in the Pool

Buoyancy seems like a simple concept, but to fully understand it on a scientific level can be a challenge for students. Introduce the concept to your younger elementary kids in a fun way while playing in the pool this summer! Buoyancy is based on Archimedes' Principle that states, "Any object, wholly or partially immersed in a fluid, is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object." Very…
Cheryl Taylor
June 10, 2014
PhysicsWaves

Slinky Waves

Have an old slinky collecting dust in the kids' toy box? Pull it out and teach a quick lesson on the two types of waves. 1. Loosely stretch the slinky across the floor or long table with you holding one end and your child holding the other. 2. Create a transverse wave by shaking one end of the slinky horizontally across the floor or table. Continue shaking back and forth to set up a series…
Cheryl Taylor
May 5, 2014
EnergyPhysics

Outdoor Activity Explains Energy and Work

Energy is defined as the "ability to do work." Energy and work are really different forms of the same thing, but to a child, they are very different. Try this simple outdoor summer activity to demonstrate the relationship between gravitational potential energy and work. First, children need to understand gravitational potential energy. Explain to your child that a ball on the floor has no potential energy because it won't move by itself. But, a ball…
Cheryl Taylor
April 7, 2014
ForcesPhysics

Understanding and Measuring Friction

For elementary children, the topic of "opposing forces" can be hard to understand. Friction is an opposing force that children can "feel." Here's a lab on measuring and comparing friction that's appropriate for older elementary children. You will need one piece of "science equipment" to get the most out of the lab . . . a spring scale. A spring scale with small increments will be easier for elementary children to use. Here's what to…
Cheryl Taylor
March 30, 2014
MotionPhysics

Calculate Speed While Encouraging Exercise

We all know that kids have a lot of energy. Put that energy to good use by combining a physics lesson, a math lesson, and some good exercise! All you'll need is an energetic kid, a tape measure, a stopwatch, and a safe place for your child to run. Calculating Speed 1. Pick out a "track" that your child can run safely. Select a distance appropriate for your child to run several times. 2. Help…
Cheryl Taylor
March 28, 2014