7th Grade Physics Projects

This project lets students learn about the physics and math behind tensegrity structures as they research and create one with their team. After introducing the lesson with a short video (link included in resources), students work with their team to create a basic tensegrity structure following a short tutorial. Then, utilizing the knowledge gained from this, they build a second tensegrity structure of their choice, utilizing the principles and design ideas of tensegrity. As they work through both builds, they record their information on the included Engineering Design Process Planning Sheet with their team. Next, students present their project to the class and explain their design choices. Finally, students reflect on and summarize their learning with short answers to questions about the experience and what they learned.

This lesson was created for 7th and 8th grade, but could also be used successfully in upper elementary grades or high school as well.

Files included (non-editable, .pdf files):

• Teacher & Student Resources

• Student Instructions, Expectations and Grading Rubric

• Team Sign Up Sheet

• Engineering Design Process Planning Sheet

• Reflection Questions

Related Products
⭐ The Physics of Amusement Park Rides
⭐ The Physics of Bridges
⭐ The Physics of Geodesic Domes - STEM Design and Construction Project
⭐ The Physics of Windmills

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

**************************************************************************

Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:

Follow our blog

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Pinterest

This STEM project encourages teamwork as students utilize the Engineering Design Process to design, build, test and re-engineer a marble maze created with limited materials. Each group is given a box or bag with the same materials and each team has the same time to design the best possible maze that will allow a standard marble to make the longest possible run.

Students use the first day to choose teams, understand the project expectations, and complete the Engineering Process Design Worksheet. The next three days, they are building the maze. Finally, on the fifth day of the project, each team competes to see which maze wins!

This lesson includes:

1. Teacher Resources and Information

2. Engineering Design Process Worksheet

3. Team sign up sheet

4. Junk Box War Maze Project Expectations

5. Alternate Writing Assignment

6. Competition Scoring Sheet

My 7th and 8th graders love this project each year and really compete to win! I hope your students enjoy it too.

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

**************************************************************************

Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:

Follow our blog

Follow us on Facebook

The “Aerodynamics, Flight & Sustainable Life” project utilizes research skills, MS PowerPoint, and Sketchup (free CAD software download) to allow students to build skills in those programs along with skills in Internet research, reading, writing and critical thinking. In these projects, students research information about the history of aerodynamics, Newton’s Laws of flight and the physics behind them. They replicate a scale model drawing of a NASA space vehicle using Sketchup (CAD) and then research and design their own space station or community that will fully sustain life in space.

The project was created for grades 7-8 but could easily be adapted for younger or older students.

This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.

Files Included with this Lesson

• Teacher Notes and Resources

• Aerodynamics History PowerPoint project Expectations and Grading Rubric

• Newton’s Laws Research Questions (includes answer key)

• Recreating a NASA Space Vehicle in Sketchup Project Expectations and Grading Rubric

• Project Samples for NASA Vehicle

• Designing a Space Station or Community in Sketchup Project Expectations and Grading Rubric

• Project Samples for Space Station/Community

Related Products
⭐ The Physics of Amusement Park Rides
⭐ The Physics of Bridges
⭐ The Physics of Geodesic Domes - STEM Design and Construction Project
⭐ The Physics of Windmills

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

**************************************************************************

Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:

Follow our blog

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Pinterest

Learning about Simple Machines with a "Rube Goldberg" construction project gives students an opportunity to research information and then apply that knowledge to a hands-on project they design and build with their team.

First, students complete a short WebQuest / Internet Scavenger Hunt to learn (or reinforce) the basics of simple machines. Then, with their team, they design and build a project that utilizes that knowledge from recycled materials. The project was created for grades 7-8 but could easily be adapted for upper elementary students as well.

This lesson includes:

1. Teacher Notes and Resources

2. Simple Machines WebQuest Intro Activity (includes answer key)

3. Student Expectations & Rubric for building project

4. Materials and supplies list for project

This is a fun STEM project, that reinforces the concepts of Simple Machines and encourages students to create a fun, working design.

Related Products
⭐ Digital Engineering Notebook - Fully Editable in PowerPoint & Google Slides
⭐ The Physics of Amusement Park Rides

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

**************************************************************************

Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:

Follow our blog

Follow us on Facebook