Description
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn the basic laws of motion and principles of physics
- Become familiar with physics vocabulary
- View or create physics demonstrations to gain understanding of physics basics and to share their knowledge with others
- Build on their knowledge as they continue to explore physics principles with more complex demonstrations and experiments
4-H Physics Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Let your inner scientist come out and uncover the mysteries of physics at play in daily life. The amazing magician Franco Newtoni guides you through this project. As you try each experiment you’ll see the forces of nature, energy, and the power of physics at work—or is it magic? Designed for beginners, but appropriate for all levels.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Links
Activity Ideas
4 Wheelin’ Physics Fun – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
On your marks, get set, race! The 4-Wheelin’ project covers nine physical science concepts, such as friction, turning radius, force and much more. You’ll learn about each concept by conducting activities and experiments using a radio-controlled pickup. That pickup you thought was only a toy can also be used to learn how machines and energy do work that makes our lives easier. You’ll be asked to think about what happened, what you learned and how you can use what you’ve learned in other situations.
Marshmallow Catapults, 4-H Spark Activity – North Carolina 4-H (YouTube video)
We will be constructing a catapult out of everyday items to see how far you can launch an object!
Materials needed are popsicle sticks, rubber bands, a plastic spoon, and marshmallows (or something else soft/lightweight like a ping pong ball). Other supplies you could use are pencils, skewers, bottle cap, hot glue gun, binder clips – whatever can be found around the house.
Ask permission and have your caregiver help you when using craft items like hot glue guns and scissors. (Suitable for ages 5-13)
Quantum 3 is an educational match-3 game for all ages where fun meets quantum physics!
Build subatomic particles, learn about the mysteries of fundamental physics and deploy antimatter to clear the way! You’ll match and swap quarks to make (and learn about) the baryons you need for each objective. Puzzle out the quantum properties of color, flavor and spin. So get in there and start your quantum-venture! Quantum 3 is puzzle-matching at its finest and a great intro to the world of particle physics!
The game is free-to-play with no in-app purchases.
The game is developed at Michigan State University by the Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab and is funded under grant PHY 1653405 by the National Science Foundation.
Rainbows – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn how rainbows form and observe them first-hand by creating some themselves.
Engineering Explorers Challenge 2: Catapult – University of Minnesota Extension
This independent learning guide is designed for youth in grades 3-8 to complete an engineering design challenge on their own. The challenge is to build a catapult that uses a lever to send objects flying as far as you can!
Engineering Explorers Challenge 3: Pulley Power – University of Minnesota Extension
This independent learning guide is designed for youth in grades 3-8 to complete an engineering design challenge on their own. The challenge is to build a pulley system that can lift as much weight as possible.
Engineering Explorers Challenge 4: Energy on the Move – University of Minnesota Extension
This independent learning guide is designed for youth in grades 3-8 to complete an engineering design challenge on their own. The challenge is to build an inclined plan to transfer as much energy as possible!
Jumping Machine – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about kinetic and potential energy by building a jumping machine. Good for all ages.
Light – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about how light travels by creating a light maze. Designed for grades 3 and up but can work for grades K-2 with assistance.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Coming soon!
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Short Super Science – University of Minnesota Extension
Short Super Science is a collection of quick fun science activities designed for youth in grades 3-6 that can be completed with everyday supplies. Each lesson includes an activity that incorporates different science and engineering concepts in a fun way.
Super Science Series – University of Minnesota Extension
This Super Science Series is a collection of super fun science lessons designed for grades 3-8. Each lesson includes a science activity that incorporates different science and engineering concepts in a way that gets youth excited about learning more.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Motion in a Straight Line: Crash Course Physics #1 (YouTube video)
In this, THE FIRST EPISODE of Crash Course Physics, your host Dr. Shini Somara introduces us to the ideas of motion in a straight line. She talks about displacement, acceleration, time, velocity, and the definition of acceleration. Also, how does a physicist discuss speed as opposed to a police officer? And did you deserve that ticket? You can figure it all out with the help of Physics!
Produced in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios. The full Crash Course Physics YouTube playlist can be found here.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
-
The Essential Physics Kit is perfect for those curious of how the world works! This kit is designed to help complete the Science Fun with Physics curriculum which has youth leaning about physics through fun, hands-on experiments. This project is best for beginners, but appropriate for all levels.
STEM Simple Machines Activity Kit
With the STEM Simple Machines Activity Kit, build 60 working models that cover the subjects of levers, the wedge, the wheel and axle, the screw, the inclined plane, the pulley, as well as the more advanced gears and linkages! These mechanisms offer a mechanical advantage and are crucial elements of many machines and devices. They are designed to multiply or reduce force, increase or decrease speed and convert one type of motion to another. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklets included. The booklets provide detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporate innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. Quiz sections for each chapter are also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge!
STEM NEWTON’S LAWS: Inertia, Energy Activity Kit
Learn all about the ingenious Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion which are the basis of classical mechanics that still describe most everyday life situations. Observe the effects of kinetic and potential energy and see first-hand how energy is transformed from one form to the other. Build 8 working models such as a ballistic catapult, a gravity fan, a collision car, a moving cabin, a balloon powered plane and a dragster. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge!
STEM MECHANICS: Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes Activity Kit
Learn how Wheels and Axles use friction to move objects easily and how big tires compare to small tires. Find out how an Inclined Plane can be used for lifting heavy objects and how another form of an inclined plane, the wedge, is used in everyday applications. Build 14 working models such as a launching platform, a door with a knob, a well, an airport staircase, an experimental ramp, and a splitting wedge.
You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models in the included booklet. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge!
STEM Mechanics: Gears & Worm Drives Activity Kit
With the STEM Mechanics: Gears & Worm Drives, learn how gears can easily reduce or increase speed, change force. or transfer motion from one position to another. Discover how Worm Drives are used to greatly reduce rotational speed and how screws can convert rotational motion to linear, while greatly increasing force.
Build 12 working models such as an experimental crane, a gearbox, a carousel, a helicopter, a screw press and a crane with a rotating arm. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A Quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover:
- How the handle’s position affects force and speed;
- How the crank’s position affects force and speed;
- How to calculate the mechanical advantage of a screw;
- What a worm drive is and how to use a ratchet mechanism.