Students reflect on the physics of their favorite childhood activity and play with toys (balls, marbles, toy cars, ramps and anything else you have!) to construct their own understanding of force and motion. Then, students use the PhET simulations Balancing Act and Force and Motion to increase their knowledge of Newton's first and second laws. Students practice calculating the net force on an object. Then, they plan and carry out their own investigation to answer the question “How do mass and force affect an object’s motion?” Finally, students share what they learned in a written claim, evidence and reasoning.

In this mini unit, students learn about how Dr. Shirley Jackson’s childhood activities led to an illustrious career in physics. Then, students practice their own lab skills while measuring mass, volume and temperature. They plan and carry out two investigations: One to learn how different masses of ice affect the temperature of water and one to determine how type of matter affects temperature change. Students analyze their data and construct an understanding of the relationships between matter, mass, temperature and energy transfer. Extension activities include building a thermometer! This is a great unit to begin the year with!