NASA Physics for Real Beginners: Earth, Moon, and Space

Target Grade(s): 5 to 12

Overview:

This course will showcase activities you can do with your students today to illustrate core concepts of physical science. Physical science activities focus on one-dimensional motion, forces and aerodynamic principles. Participants will use free, simple-to-use, software simulations from NASA Glenn. Applications are appropriate for grades 5 - 12. The software and material will teach concepts simply, visually and in an exciting manner.

Standards-based topic areas include:

Physical Science:

Gravitational fields; Gravitational force; Planetary motion; Kepler's laws; Circular motion; Centripetal force; Action-reaction forces

Science Process Skills:

Making and Testing Hypotheses; Abstraction and symbolic representation; Deductive and inductive reasoning; Critical thinking; Use of Information technology; Image Interpretation; Forming Conclusions; Using Models; Measurement

LIVE Sessions:

Session 1: Topics: Earth's gravity; Properties of gravitational fields; Microgravity
Session 2: Topics: Universal gravitation; Kepler's Laws
Session 3: Topics: Circular motion; Centripetal force; Orbits and satellites
Session 4: Topics: Newton's Third Law; "Escaping" gravitation

Additional Study:

After the live sessions, participants select from a variety of assignments in order to complete the necessary hours to earn credit for the course. Assignment choices include:

Develop a Webquest for your students about a course topic.
Create a portfolio showcasing work you have done with students related to course materials.
Develop a unit plan using resources from the course.
Create a presentation for your students explaining course concepts.

Participants Receive:

Refresher or intro to physical science concepts
Web page with ready-to-use classroom applications from NASA