In this lesson, students will experience the force of friction as they use block-based coding to program a Sphero Bot through a maze made up of materials with varying amounts of friction.

This activity is designed to have students investigate the basics of forces and how they affect motion. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a PHET Simulation by the University of Colorado on Force and Motion and use the simulation to create a simple Experimental Design and collect data.

Video Description:  How does NASA test ideas, like the Mars Helicopter, before they are even built? Find out more about this revolutionary helicopter and how NASA uses mathematical modeling to turn complex ideas into solvable equations that help shape future missions. Video Length:  3:20.NASA eClipsTM is a suite of online student-centered, standards-based resources that support instruction by increasing STEM literacy in formal and nonformal settings.  These free digital and downloadable resources inform and engage students through NASA-inspired, real-world connections.NASA eClips Real World segments (grades 6-8) connect classroom mathematics to 21st Century careers and innovations.  They are designed for students to develop an appreciation for mathematics through real-world problem solving.

Students will preform three mini-lab activities with no previous knowledge of Newton's laws of motion. Each lab activity demonstrates one of Newton's laws of motions. Students will write their observations from the three mini-labs and then use these observations later to connect which lab went with which law of motion, after the teacher formally introduces Newton's Laws of Motion.

In this 8th grade physical science module, students will calculate speed problems/scenarios using the speed equation (speed=distance/time), and compare and contrast the speed of multiple objects.  This module was developed by Tracey Nipper as part of a Virginia Commonwealth Universtiy STEM initiave sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.