Physics of Toys
Principles of physics come to life in this hands on experimentation and demonstration class. Students will engage in a discussion of what we can learn about energy using everyday toys and learn about Newton's First Law.
Long Island Science Center
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(189)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
Experience physics in action through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiments using familiar and old-fashioned toys. Students experiment with the forces of gravity and inertia while observing and manipulating materials. They will form and test their own hypotheses by using different toys in a series of experiments. Participants learn that about what sources of energy exist (electrical, chemical, physical), that energy can be transferred from one object to another through a collision experiment, and discuss the difference between potential and kinetic energy. The students will develop an understanding of Newton’s First Law (an object at rest stays at rest until you apply a force) by causing toys to move, demonstrate an understanding of the source of energy (electrical, chemical, physical) by choosing which type of energy causes specific toys to move, and develop an understanding between potential and kinetic energy by playing. Students make their own spinning toy project.
Learning Goals
This class was designed to be delivered in a classroom setting and provides information that supports the following New York State Next Generation Science Learning Standards.
P-PS2-1. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that causes an object to move faster with a push or a pull.
P-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that sound is produced by vibrating materials.
K-PS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
K-PS2-2. Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.
1-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
3-PS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
3-PS2-2. Make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy is conserved as it is transferred and/or converted from one form to another.
4-PS3-4. Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
5-PS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants (producers), animals (consumers), decomposers, and the environment.
Other Details
Supply List
Assorted toys for experimentation: Toy car, yoyo, blocks, ball, spinning top, spring toy Ramp (or books to make a ramp), fabric, sandpaper Materials for the spinning top: A cardboard or card stock circle (about 2" in diameter), a toothpick, glue or tape, crayons or markers to decorate the top.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
4.8
189reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
The Long Island Science Center is a 501(c)3 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Learning Museum. We have been providing hands-on STEAM programming in schools and libraries since 1995 with our enriching educational programs reaching more than 350,000 students.
We strive to prepare young people for the challenges of a 21st century economy built on advanced technology and innovation.
We ignite curiosity, fuel creativity and unlock the passion for problem-solving and discovery with STEAM curricula, programs and interactive, hands-on experiences designed to cultivate future leaders and engaged, digitally literate citizens.
A fun thing about our organization is that we have four 3D printers that we use to teach 3D printing classes. Recently, we were contacted by a group of engineers that wanted to build a life-sized robot so we agreed to help them by printing out robot parts for them on our printers.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 21 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-9
10-18 learners per class
