Physical Science Hands-On Activities

Valentine's Day Science Activities | STEM, Project, Readings | High School

Created by
TWFScience

Make February meaningful (and academically rigorous) with hands‑on, low‑prep Valentine’s Day science for grades 9‑12. This bundle combines lab investigations, in‑depth readings, themed activities, and a project that ties core high‑school science concepts—density, gas production, bond energy, phase c

8th - 11th Chemistry, Engineering, Physical Science

Forces in Everyday Life Lesson | Real Force Applications | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This middle school science lesson introduces forces in a clear, student-friendly way that builds understanding without overwhelming learners. Students explore familiar situations—such as pushing objects, sliding, throwing, and falling—to understand how forces cause objects to move, stop, speed up, o

6th - 8th Science, Physical Science, Physics

Net Force - Balanced vs Unbalanced Forces STEM Investigation

Created by
TWFScience

In this hands-on STEM investigation, students will explore net force, balanced forces, and unbalanced forces by analyzing force interactions in the horizontal direction. Using force diagrams and simple calculations, students learn how multiple forces act on an object and how to determine whether tho

6th - 11th General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: STEM Investigations Growing Bundle — Scientific Method, Design, Data & CER

S.6.7.A – Forces & Motion: Gravity, Friction, Magnetism & Applied Forces | TEKS

Created by
TWFScience

This NO-PREP, RESOURCE BUNDLE is for Texas grade 6 science teachers who are teaching S.6.7.A - The student is expected to identify and explain how forces act on objects, including gravity, friction, magnetism, applied forces, and normal forces, using real-world applications according to the Texas Es

6th Grade General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: S.6.7 - Force, Motion, and Energy Curriculum Bundle | TEKS Science 6th Grade

S.6.7.B – Net Force: Balanced & Unbalanced Forces Using Diagrams | TEKS Science

Created by
TWFScience

This NO-PREP, RESOURCE BUNDLE is for Texas grade 6 science teachers who are teaching S.6.7.B - The student is expected to calculate the net force on an object in a horizontal or vertical direction using diagrams and determine if the forces are balanced or unbalanced according to the Texas Essential

6th Grade General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: S.6.7 - Force, Motion, and Energy Curriculum Bundle | TEKS Science 6th Grade

S.6.7.C – Newton’s Third Law: Action-Reaction Force Pairs | TEKS Science 6th

Created by
TWFScience

This NO-PREP, RESOURCE BUNDLE is for Texas grade 6 science teachers who are teaching S.6.7.C - The student is expected to identify simultaneous force pairs that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction that result from the interactions between objects using Newton's Third Law of Motion accor

6th Grade General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: S.6.7 - Force, Motion, and Energy Curriculum Bundle | TEKS Science 6th Grade

S.6.7 - Force, Motion, and Energy Curriculum Bundle | TEKS Science 6th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This RESOURCE BUNDLE is for Texas grade 6 science teachers who are teaching S.6.7 - Force, Matter, and Energy - The student knows the nature of forces and their role in systems that experience stability or change according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Standards and want to prep

6th Grade Basic Principles, Physical Science, Physics

The Urban Heat Island Mystery – Detective SUB PLAN | Human Impact

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this engaging, real-world investigation focused on the urban heat island effect and rising city temperatures. In this case file activity, students analyze evidence, track environmental pathways, interrogate suspects, and build a scientific case to solv

6th - 9th Biology, Earth Sciences, Physical Science

NGSS MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

The Science of Snow, Snowflakes, & Frost Reading | How it Forms | 6th, 7th, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science of snow, snowflakes, and frost, explaining how phase changes, temperature, and heat transfer shape winter weather. Students learn how snow forms in clouds, why snowflakes have unique six-sided shapes, and how frost develops on cold surfaces a

6th - 8th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Thermal Insulation STEM Investigation – Keep Ice from Melting! Heat Transfer

Created by
TWFScience

In this hands-on STEM investigation, students will explore heat transfer and thermal insulation by designing and building a container that keeps an ice cube from melting. Using common materials, students test how different insulation designs affect the rate at which ice melts when exposed to room te

6th - 11th General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Why Do Roads Get Salted? STEM Investigation — Lowering the Freezing Point

Created by
TWFScience

In this hands-on STEM investigation, students explore freezing point depression and phase changes by testing how adding different amounts of salt affects how quickly ice melts. Using real-world winter road safety as the context, students investigate why salt is spread on icy roads and how it changes

6th - 11th General Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

The Science of Snow Lesson | Formation, States of Matter | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This middle school science lesson introduces the science of snow in a clear, student-friendly way that builds understanding without overwhelming learners. Students explore familiar winter phenomena—such as snowfall, melting, insulation, avalanches, and snowpack—to understand how matter, energy, and

6th - 8th Science, Physical Science, Physics

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Snow Day Science Activity Bundle - Snow, Snowflakes, Winter | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

The NO-PREP bundle includes a two readings (The Science of Snow, Snowflakes, and Frost / Winter Animal Survival Adaptations and Strategies), two simple at-home investigations (Snow Density and Volume Investigation / Snow vs Ice Activity - Which Melts Faster), and my Winter Weather Adaptations Projec

6th - 9th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

Extreme Winter Weather Reading | Snowstorms, Blizzards | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 science reading comprehension article introduces students to the wild and powerful side of winter, from blizzards and ice storms to polar vortexes and nor’easters. Students learn how different types of extreme winter weather form, what makes each storm unique, and how these storms imp

6th - 8th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-6

Also included in: Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Winter Weather & Snow Bundle - Lessons, Project, Activities | 6th 7th 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This NO-PREP, comprehensive Winter Weather and Snow Bundle guides students through the science of winter by exploring how snow forms, how winter weather works, how animals survive cold environments, and how physical science concepts—such as states of matter, heat transfer, density, freezing point de

6th - 9th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-LS4-2, MS-LS4-4, MS-ESS2-1+4

Air Pollution Reading | High School | Sources, Pollutants, Smog Chemistry

Created by
TWFScience

Air Pollution - Sources, Pollutants, Smog Chemistry, AQI, and Solutions Reading Comprehension Passage and Questions. This high school reading introduces students to the science of air pollution, explaining how pollutants are released, how they change in the atmosphere, and how they affect human heal

9th - 12th Science, Earth Sciences, Physical Science

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Comprehension Bundle | Grade 8 and Up

Air Pollution Reading: What It Is, Why It Happens, Why It Happens | 6th 7th 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 science reading comprehension article introduces students to the causes and effects of air pollution and why clean air matters for human health and the environment. Students learn where air pollution comes from, how it forms, and how weather conditions can make pollution better or wor

6th - 8th Earth Sciences, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS2-6

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

When Will I Ever Use This? Reading | Skills, Careers, Problem Solving 6, 7, 8th

Created by
TWFScience

This middle school science reading comprehension article answers the question we all get asked, every year. "When am I ever going to use this??" The reading introduces students to how science skills connect directly to real-world careers (both in the science and skilled trades) and everyday problem

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3+1

When Will I Ever Use This? Reading | Grade 8 & Up | Solving Problems, Careers

Created by
TWFScience

Why We Need to Learn Science: Real-World Problem Solving, Careers, and Skilled Trades Reading Comprehension Passage and QuestionsThis reading answers the question we all get, "When am I ever Going to Use this?" This is a high-interest, real-world reading that helps students understand how science cl

8th - 12th Science, General Science, Physical Science

Also included in: Science Reading Comprehension Article Mega Bundle | Grade 8 and Up

The Acid Rain Mystery – Chemistry Detective Activity | Precipitation, pH scale

Created by
TWFScience

Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on air pollution and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. In this case file activity, students analyze rainwater pH data, examine surface damage on stone buildings, evaluate plant health pattern

6th - 10th Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3+3

Also included in: Science Detective Mystery Bundle | Chemistry, Human Body, Environmental Science

Forever Chemicals (PFAS) Reading | Risks, Sources, Solutions 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind forever chemicals—a group of human-made substances that persist in the environment and build up in the body over time. Students learn what PFAS are, how they’re used in everyday products like waterproof clothing and nonstick cookware,

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Deforestation & Habitat Destruction Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade | Biodiversity

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind deforestation and habitat destruction, exploring how the removal of forests and natural areas affects biodiversity, climate, and human communities. Students learn what drives deforestation, how it threatens plant and animal species, an

6th - 8th General Science, Physical Science, Other (Science)

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Overfishing & Ocean Ecosystem Collapse Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade | Marine

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading comprehension article introduces students to the science behind overfishing and how it contributes to the collapse of ocean ecosystems. Students learn what overfishing is, why it happens, and how it disrupts marine food webs and threatens biodiversity, food security, and coast

6th - 8th General Science, Marine Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade

Landfill & Waste Management Reading | 6th, 7th, 8th Grade |

Created by
TWFScience

This grade 6–8 reading introduces students to the science behind landfill and waste management, examining how human-generated waste is handled, the challenges it creates, and the innovations being developed to reduce its environmental impact. Students learn how landfills work, what happens to trash

6th - 8th General Science, Marine Science, Physical Science

NGSS MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3

Also included in: Human Impact & Sustainability - 13 Reading Article Bundle - 6th 7th 8th Grade