Application of Iowa Core Curriculum Science Standards

Iowa Core Curriculum Standard: Identify gravity as a force and weight as a measure of force.

(1) Abstract idea: The heavier the weight of a mass, the more force of earth's gravity exerted on a mass. Concrete experience: Students will weigh themselves on a scale to represent a mass (body) and the measurement differences of the force of earth's gravity. This is a concrete representation of mass (their body) exerting force (their weight). The heavier the mass (body) the greater force of earth's gravity.

(2) Five questions to move students from concrete to abstract:

1. What does the number on the scale mean?
2. What are some explanations that cause the weight to change from one person to another?
3. If we tried to weight ourselves on a scale on Mars, what would happen?
4. What causes us to float on Mars and stay on the ground on Earth?
5. How does gravity keep objects of all sizes on the ground on Earth?