Exploring Force and Energy with Amusement Park Physics
Amusement parks are one of the best places to feel firsthand what astronauts experience while in space. Learn how roller coasters help teach forces of motion and energy transformations (PE and KE). Calculate the average speed of the marble (s = d/t, where s = speed, d = distance, and t = time).
Activity Featured:Marble Run
Related Links:https://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/amuse_park_physics.pdf
Explorando Fuerza y Energía [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/J7dB_bYMsfg
Exploring Sound Effects
In this NASA Quickbits video, you will learn about the Sound Effects Activity where students at home or at school can learn about the principles of sound and the engineering design process. Students will use the engineering design process to construct a speaker to amplify sound and then they will be challenged to find a solution to reduce the perceived sound volume. We will also highlight NASA Aeronautical Research with the creation of their newest X-Plane the X-59.
Related Links: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/sound_effects_may508.pdf
Explorando Efectos del Sonido [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/RBmK2YpSLF4
Testing a Scientific Explanation of Life Characteristics
With NASA’s Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance, now on its way to Mars to look for signs of past life on the Red Planet, one might be wondering, “how can one search for possible life on another planet?” While it might be easy to recognize life in large objects, it may not be so simple when studying tiny organisms or fossilized materials. In this Quick-Bits video, students are challenged to use the scientific method to observe, hypothesize, and then test possible characteristics of life. In doing so, students and their parents will gain a deeper appreciation for the process by which NASA seeks to answer the age-old question, “are we alone in our Universe?”
Related Links: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/looking-for-life/ https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/; https://www.nasa.gov/gravity-assist; https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
Prueba de una explicación científica de las características de la vida [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/X7IQLP4yIqk
Exploring the Story of an Aquatic Habitat
There is a reason that astrobiologists use the presence of water as a prime indicator of habitability. On our planet, life exists in nearly every body of water, from the largest ocean to the smallest puddles. This NASA Quick-bits video explores a wonderfully hands-on section of The Water Wonders activity associated with the storybook “Discoveries at Willow Creek”. These activities and more are found at NASA’s GLOBE Program website: https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/water.
Related Links: www.globe.gov; www.mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov
Exploring the Story of an Aquatic Habitat [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/wqFb0DMr7n4
Exploring Forces of a Falling Object
This NASA Quick-bits video explores forces and motion. Participants are challenged to use the engineering design process to plan, construct, test and analyze a prototype parachute to slow the descent of an egg and minimize the impact when it reaches the floor. Newton’s 2nd and 3rd Laws of Motion are demonstrated in this activity. This activity is part of the Next Gen STEM Commercial Crew Program and can be found at this website https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/eggstronaut-parachute-challenge-educator-guide.html.
Related Links: https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/eggstronaut-parachute-challenge-educator-guide.html
Explorando las Fuerzas que Actúan en un Objeto en Descenso [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/40-pohjVMkw
The Importance of Soil
Explore the scoop on soils. This Quick-bits will focus on an inquiry experience. Learn how NASA’s SMAP mission collects data about soil moisture. Explore the Elementary GLOBE resources including Teacher guides, ELA storybooks and related STEM activities designed for grades K-5. The SYEM activity promotes problem solving while engaging the students in learning that is both fun and relevant to their everyday lives.
Activity Featured:
Just Passing Through: https://www.globe.gov/documents/352961/353899/Just+Passing+Through/06f90bc2-1e4e-4830-b36d-dba1e170914e
Just Passing Through Beginners Version: https://www.globe.gov/documents/352961/353899/Just+Passing+Through+(Beginner+Version)/c5712e79-6e0b-4f71-9aa8-5b9a075775ef
The Scoop on Soils: Elementary GLOBE: https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/soils
Explorando la Importancia de la Tierra, [Video En Español]: https://youtu.be/ZZPGGoNQ4Mk