Force and Motion

Ramp Exploration (PreKinders)
This is a fun first time exploration with force and motion. Predicting and experimenting with a variety of objects to see what will/will not roll down a ramp.  Great representations drawn by preschool children.

Force and Motion Experiment (Librarianism Chronicles blog)
Ramps in the library with pictures and discussion.

Ramp and Roll (PBS.org, Curious George)
This PBS activity is written for parents but easily adapted for libraries.

Ramps, Force and Motion with Balls (ED Equity, download)
Excellent activities with age related information that can easily be used for library programs. Note: written as a “girls” activity but appropriate for all children.

Ramps and Balls (Pondering Preschool blog)
What children experience when exploring with balls and ramps.  Good for childcare providers.

Will it Roll? Ramp Activity (Scholastic) 
This activity includes specific book recommendations.

Ramp Building (Teach Preschool)
This site shows children building ramps with a variety of materials.

Will it Roll? Ramps in a Science Center (PreKinders)
This site includes specific instructions, with photos, for setting up a ramp exploration center.  

Marble Run Mania (Show Me Librarian blog)
This illustrates a school-age or family program building and exploring marble runs. The program uses simple materials but require open space and adult helpers.  Easy to follow activity.

Ramps: Force, Motion and Friction (US Energy Information Administration)
Force and motion. One page friction activity with data chart.

.Investigating Slopes (Primary Science)
Ramps investigation of slopes.  Clear directions and easily implemented for school age children.

Force and Motion Experiments for School-Age Children (Science NetLinks)
Forces and Motion Experiments for school-age children.

.Exploring Gravity With Young Children (The Show Me Librarian Blog)
A group story (Mini Grey’s Egg Drop) followed by a discussion, demonstration and an activity using paint, string and a pipette.  Easy to follow, perfect for a library program.

Falling for Gravity (Science NetLinks)
Falling for Gravity involves children watching various objects (pens, pennies, erasers, etc.) fall from the same height to see if they reach the ground at the same time. Next, they roll marbles down an inclined plane to see if they reach the bottom at the same time. Easy to follow activity with video link.

Exploring Gravity With Preschoolers (ALSC blog, American Library Association)
Exploring gravity with preschoolers: book suggestion, discussion ideas and two hands-on activities: What rolls Down a Ramp and Gravity Painting..

Gravity Experiment (Inspiration Laboratories)
Exploring gravity with toddlers and preschoolers.  Simple gravity experiment using balls.

Making Objects Move (Science Netlinks)
Identifying ways to make objects move; to build a structure that can be used to move an object from one place to another.  Good questions for any “making objects move” program. Classroom based, easily adapted community program or training.

Ramps: Let it Roll (Science Netlinks)
This is the first of two activities on ramps from AAAS. Children explore and measure the rate of spherical objects rolling down a ramp. Includes materials needed and clear instructions. Classroom based, easily adapted for library. Suitable for school K and up. Ramp Builder is the second program (see below).

Ramp Builder (Science Netlinks)
This is the second of two programs on ramps from AAAS. Children plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far.   Classroom based, easily adapted for library.  Best for school age or family program.

Ramps and Rolling (Resources for Early Learning)
A site for early childcare providers.  Four weeks of science activities, with connections to other learning domains.  Best for recommending to childcare providers.

Physical Science Teachers Guide for MESS (Head Start)
The Physical Science Teacher’s Guide for MESS (Marvelous Experiences Through Science and Stories), a Head Start program.  excellent information and easy to implement activities including: Introduction to Motion; Push and Pull; Wheels; Gears (requires set of gears); Ramps; and Friction. Note: Other Physical Science topics are included in the Guide. 

STEM Sprouts Guide (Boston Children's Museum)
The STEM Sprouts Teaching Kit is the product of a collaboration between National Grid, Boston Children’s Museum, and WGBH. The goal of this curriculum is to assist preschool educators in focusing and refining the naturally inquisitive behaviors of three to five-year-olds on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).​
​
Science Lessons for Kindergarten and Up (AAAS)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) site, lessons for Kindergarten and up.
​
​

​

​

---