Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic principles of physics and how they relate to animals and their movements.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: paper, pencil, ruler, and access to a space where you can move around freely.

Before the lesson, review the concepts of motion and forces in physics.

Activities

1. Observation: Observe the movements of animals around you. Take notes on how they walk, run, or jump.

2. Motion Experiment: Measure the distance and time it takes for you to walk, run, and jump. Record your observations and calculate your speed for each activity.

3. Forces and Motion: Discuss with a family member or friend how animals use forces to move and how different forces affect their motion.

Seventh Grade Talking Points

• Animals move in different ways. For example, birds fly, fish swim, and mammals walk or run. Can you think of other ways animals move?
• When an animal moves, it experiences forces. These forces can include pushes, pulls, and friction. How do you think these forces affect the way animals move?
• Newton's Laws of Motion help us understand how objects, including animals, move. One of his laws states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Can you think of an example of this law in action with animals?