The Force Is With YOU: Discover the Science of Forces and Motion
This self-paced STEM course will explore Earth's fundamental forces, including gravity, friction, and magnetism, through hands-on investigations, readings, and activities. This experience develops a deep understanding of physical science.
Susan Laforet, M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(175)
Star Educator
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssessment
Informal assessment through the games and a culminating project. Product menu and rubric will be posted in week 4.Grading
Certificate of Completion provided at the conclusion of the course.Class Experience
US Grade 2 - 5
Beginner - Intermediate Level
This comprehensive Earth Science course will cover the fundamental forces of gravity, friction, and magnetism through engaging hands-on investigations, readings, web quests, and interactive discussions. Students will explore the concept of gravity and understand how factors such as slope, mass, and distance influence gravitational pull. Additionally, we will examine friction, investigating its effects on the motion of objects across various surfaces through a series of practical explorations. Participants will delve into magnetism, conducting controlled experiments to assess the strength of different magnets and building their own electromagnets to analyze how different variables impact magnetic attraction. Each class will begin with a teacher-created video to introduce new concepts. Students will have access to pre-screened websites and activities for research, maintain a journal of their findings, and engage in peer discussions on the course page .To synthesize their learning, students will select a culminating project from a product menu. Weekly posts featuring teacher introduction videos will guide the learning process, and students can expect feedback on their assignments within three days of submission.
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to conduct valid scientific investigations involving controls, independent variables, and dependent variables, as they explore the forces of gravity, friction, and magnetism. The final product of the course will be a product of their choice with suggestions provided via a product menu to be evaluated via a provided rubric.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Gravity Investigation 1
Students will conduct an investigation to determine if the height of a ramp affects the distance a car travels. Lesson 2:
Gravity Investigation 2
Continuing with gravity, students will investigate if the height of a drop affects the depth of a crater created. Lesson 3:
Friction Investigation 1
Does the surface of a road affect the distance a car travels? Students will learn about the force of friction. Lesson 4:
What is Magnetism?
Students will explore the force of magnetism through a series of hands on activities. Other Details
Supply List
Complete supply list may be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/17O56kAp2Vlpk2-t3VBp9aHM17OYAhT_s/view?usp=sharing
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined July, 2021
4.9
175reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree from Grand Canyon University
I have been sharing my love of science and math and STEM with elementary students in public schools for over 28 years. I served most of that time in the classroom and then moved into Instructional Coaching to help other teachers improve their practice in those areas. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
Classes with Ms. Susan are fun, engaging, and hands on, with an inquiry approach in everything we do. My goal is to latch on to the natural curiosity children have about the world around them and use that to explore science, engineering, and math concepts in a rich and meaningful way. I believe in teaching in ways that children learn, using strategies and activities that foster a love of learning. As a retired teacher, I am not bound by district or state policies and I am able to use fun, creative lessons to instill the academics that children need to master, not the ones they need to pass state assessments.
One of my favorite quotes from Carl Sagan sums up my approach to science education - "Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." In Ms. Susan's Super Science and Math classes, students will be challenged to think!Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$11
weekly6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 8-12
