Students in grades 7 to 9 build model roller coasters using pipe insulation and marbles, then analyze them using physics principles, including conversions between kinetic and potential energy and frictional effects. A class competition using various marbles to represent different passenger loads determines the most innovative and successful designs.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Building Roller Coasters

Tags: Class Activities, forces and motion, friction, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Gravity, Lesson Plan, NASA education, Physics, rides, roller coasters, theme park

If NASA loves the The Martian, it may be because the 21st Century Fox film starring Matt Damon draws on real-life technologies the U.S. space agency already has or is developing for a manned mission to Mars.

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Filed under: Special Features | Comments Off on NASA’s Real-Life Martian Sfx

Tags: 21st Century Fox, Aerospace, manned mission to Mars, Mars, Matt Damon, movie, NASA, NASA education, space exploration, STEM, STEM education, Technology, The Martian

Whether you seek images of the cosmos to enhance your science class, hands-on activities to make forces and motion come to life, or free professional development webinars, look no further than NASA’s resources for educators.

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Filed under: For Teachers, K-12 Outreach Programs, Web Resources | Comments Off on STEM Lessons From – and About – Space

Tags: Internet Resources, NASA education, Resources for Teachers