Newton's Third Law Bundle NGSS MS PS2-1 STEM MS ETS1-2,3,4

These two engaging lessons fully support the NGSS standard MS PS2-1:

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.

Lesson 1 - Investigation Newton's Third Law of Motion

Students move through five stations that guide them to “discover” Newton’s third law. Students then complete a summary worksheet where they identify the action and reaction involved for each station. Next they apply their knowledge of Newton’s third law to three new situations. This can be used as a formative assessment of student understanding.

Easily obtainable materials are used for these stations.

Lesson 2 - Constructing a space station that can withstand a collision

This engaging lesson is a design solution to a problem involving two colliding objects (see standard above).

This highly engaging engineering and design project allows students to gain a greater understanding of why we need to build space stations that can withstand collisions.

The students first learn about crumple zones and why they are helpful in a collision.

Students design, construct, and test three crumple zones (made of simple materials) to see which is the best for attachment to their space station. A video showing student examples is included.

Students then design, construct, and test their space station (made of simple materials) to see if it will withstand a collision with a “baseball” meteoroid. The criteria for success is that the “egg” astronaut needs to be unharmed during the collision.

A written formative assessment is included which allows for students to critique their design and offer ideas for improvements. It also allows students the opportunity to connect this collision with Newton’s third law. Answers for this question are given and an activity is included to demonstrate how a collision exemplifies Newton’s Third Law.

Ideas are also given for easy implementation of this project such as team roles, accountability chart, schedule, a group contract and name.

The students will encounter the science and engineering practices during these two lessons:

Analyzing and interpreting data

Constructing explanations and designing solutions.

Developing and using models. 

Planning and carrying out investigations.

The students will encounter the Cross-cutting concept:

Systems and System Models

These lessons support the NGSS standards MS PS2-1, MS ETS1-2, MS ETS1-3, MS ETS1-4.

Included in this resource:

Teacher slides (31 slides)

Detailed teacher notes including all materials needed (18 pages)

Printable student worksheets with station instructions, analysis questions, and formative assessment (14 pages)

Sample answers for student worksheets and assessment

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