Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic principles of physics and their applications in engineering.

Materials and Prep

• Pencil and paper
• Calculator
• Computer with internet access (optional)
• No prior knowledge required

Activities

1. Activity 1: Exploring Motion

   Step 1: Find a safe open space indoors or outdoors.

   Step 2: Choose an object of your choice (e.g., a ball, a toy car).

   Step 3: Roll or throw the object and observe its motion.

   Step 4: Record your observations and describe the motion in terms of speed, distance, and direction.

2. Activity 2: Building Structures

   Step 1: Use building blocks or any other available materials to construct a bridge or tower.

   Step 2: Test the stability of your structure by adding weight or applying force to different parts.

   Step 3: Observe how the structure responds to external forces and make adjustments as needed.

3. Activity 3: Simple Machines

   Step 1: Identify and gather examples of simple machines such as levers, pulleys, and inclined planes.

   Step 2: Explore how these simple machines make work easier by reducing the amount of force or changing the direction of force.

   Step 3: Discuss real-life applications of simple machines in engineering.

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• "Physics is the branch of science that deals with the properties of matter and energy."
• "Engineers use physics principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems that solve practical problems."
• "Motion is the change in position of an object over time."
• "Speed is the measure of how quickly an object moves."
• "Distance is the amount of space between two points."
• "Direction tells us where an object is moving."
• "Structures need to be stable and able to withstand different forces, such as weight and wind."
• "Simple machines are basic tools that make work easier by changing the force or direction of force."
• "Levers, pulleys, and inclined planes are examples of simple machines."
• "Engineers use simple machines to create efficient and effective solutions to various engineering challenges."