LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 5

Goal 4: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technologies to build an understanding of forces and motion in technological designs.

Objective 4.05. Determine factors that affect motion including:

  • Force.
  • Friction.
  • Inertia.
  • Momentum.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Stay still
In this lesson students will learn about stability. They will design and build an earthquake-proof house that takes into account the forces acting upon it and the materials with which it will be built. The house will be tested in a “shake table.” Students will be assessed by the product itself as well as their analysis of the results of the test.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Revenge of the crash test dummies
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 3.4
In this lesson, students will design and build a wall capable of withstanding the impact of a speeding vehicle driven by angry crash test dummies.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Push-Me Pull-Me toys
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 1.3
In this lesson, students find themselves working as engineers and toy designers for the Push-Me Pull-Me Toy Company. They will design and build a prototype of a simple toy that moves with a push or pull of one finger.
Format: lesson plan (grade 1, 3, and 5 Visual Arts Education and Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Marshmallow catapults
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 1.4
Students will work in design teams competing for a contract to produce a marshmallow catapult for Target. Catapults will be assessed based on cost, performance, and appearance.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics and Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Eco-packaging
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 1.5
Environmental issues are often at odds with commerce. In this lesson, students balance the need for secure packaging with environmental and economic concerns. They will work together to create mailing packages for a fragile substance and evaluate their results once the package travels through the postal system.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics and Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Earthquake-proof homes
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 3.5
For this lesson, students use knowledge gained from previous lessons to design and build an earthquake-proof home. They will test their structures on a “shake table” and see if their houses survive.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Erin Denniston.