I teach second grade and one topic that we cover in physical science is balance and motion. My school district adopted a new kit based science program for the upcoming school year. We are going to be using FOSS. I found the FOSS website to be very helpful for both teachers and for students. There is a game that students can play where they can design a roller coaster to see if the marble will gain enough momentum to make it to the end. I think that my second grade students would enjoy using the computer to play this game and would gain a deeper understanding of motion. See the following website: http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/BalanceandMotion/index.html
Another website that I found helpful in teaching about balance and motion is BrainPOP Jr. There are many things that teachers and students can use on this website in the free stuff area. You can join the website and get a free trial to check it out, but in order to have access to the entire website you have to purchase a membership. There are videos for forces and pushes and pulls, where students can learn from Annie and Moby all about these physical science concepts. There are other engaging activities and a game for students to complete to learn more about forces. See the following website: http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/forces/pushesandpulls/preview.weml
Mrs. Trevio has a blog that she uses in her second grade classroom. She posted a video that shows how gymnasts use balance beams and balance their bodies on it. Students would be fascinated to see this video and it would be beneficial for them to view it to learn more about balance. See the following website: http://trevinos2ndgrade.blogspot.com/2009/11/balance-motion.html
These websites help students become 21st century scientifically literate students because they give students the opportunity to use technology to learn. Students are able to learn more about physical science in innovative and engaging ways while also gaining more practice using technology skills. The students would love to play the games and watch the videos.
After having my students investigate each of these websites, I would follow up by having my students try to build their own roller coaster ramp. I would have my students brainstorm different materials that they might need to build their roller coasters and then allow them to roll marbles down their roller coaster ramps so that they could see if the roller coaster that they designed could gain enough momentum to make it to the end. Possible materials that students may suggest may be: marbles, balls, cardboard, paper, poster board, blocks, ramps, or rubber piping.
When using any technology there is always the challenge of it not working correctly. Students may have difficultly using the computer if they have not had much experience. I would recommend addressing this challenge by first showing the students how to use the websites before having them go to the websites independently.
