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School Science Workshop... Forces, Friction & Movement! | Fizzics Education
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Forces, Friction & Movement

Forces, Friction & Movement

Learn how the 3 Laws of Motion apply in daily life

🚀 Physical World: Forces & Motion

Forces, Friction & Movement

Newtonian Physics, Inertia and Rotational Forces

How do objects really move? In this in-depth science workshop, we peel back the layers of the physical world to investigate the invisible forces that govern our universe. Students move beyond simple observations to explore the mechanics of push and pull forces, witnessing Sir Isaac Newton’s laws in action through high-energy demonstrations.

We dive deep into the variables that impact friction and how rotational forces dictate the movement of everything from toys to satellites. By exploring the complex relationship between inertia and momentum, students gain a foundational understanding of STEM concepts that are essential for future engineering and physics studies.

Key Workshop Outcomes:

  • Push & Pull: Identify how balanced and unbalanced forces change motion.
  • Friction Variables: Test how different surfaces and materials resist movement.
  • Rotational Force: Investigate gyroscopic stability and angular momentum.
  • Inertia & Newton: Prove that objects resist changes to their state of motion.
  • Momentum Mechanics: Explore the relationship between mass, velocity, and force.

Expert Content & Presentation

Led by Churchill Fellow Ben Newsome, we ensure every school incursion is grounded in pedagogical best practice and student-led inquiry.

Ben Newsome Fizzics Education

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Global Online Class:

Interactive distance programs since 2010. Available for any school globally via high-definition video conferencing.

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Hands-on physics demonstrations.
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Zoom, Teams, or school software.

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science incursions

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

Science F-10 Version 9.0

Foundation
  • describe how objects move and how factors including their size, shape or material influence their movement AC9SFU02
  • explore the ways people make and use observations and questions to learn about the natural world AC9SFH01
  • pose questions and make predictions based on experiences AC9SFI01
Year 1
  • describe pushes and pulls in terms of strength and direction and predict the effect of these forces on objects’ motion and shape AC9S1U03
Year 2
  • recognise that materials can be changed physically without changing their material composition including by bending, twisting, stretching and breaking AC9S2U03
Year 1 & 2
  • describe how people use science in their daily lives, including using patterns to make scientific predictions AC9S1H0, AC9S2H01
  • pose questions to explore observed simple patterns and relationships AC9S1I01, AC9S2I01
  • compare observations with predictions and others’ observations AC9S1I05, AC9S2I05
Year 4
  • identify how forces can be exerted by one object on another and investigate the effect of frictional, gravitational and magnetic forces AC9S4U03
Year 3 & 4
  • examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations AC9S3H01, AC9S4H01
  • consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem AC9S3H02, AC9S4H02
  • pose questions to explore patterns and draw conclusions AC9S3I05, AC9S4I05
Year 5 & 6
  • investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to make decisions AC9S5H02, AC9S6H02
  • pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships AC9S5I01, AC9S6I01

Design and Technologies F-10 Version 9.0

Years 3 & 4
  • describe how forces and the properties of materials affect function in a product or system AC9TDE4K02

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping

NSW Science Syllabus Content

A student:

  • STe-5PW-ST observes the way objects move and relates changes in motion to push and pull forces
  • ST1-9PW-ST investigates how forces and energy are used in products
  • ST2-9PW-ST describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion
  • ST3-9PW-ST investigates the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force

NSW Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (Implementation from 2027)

For implementation advice, visit the NESA Science and Technology site.

Early Stage 1

STE-SCI-01 describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement

  • Recognise that properties of materials can be observed using the senses
  • Pose questions about materials and describe how they are used in everyday objects
  • Bend, twist, crush and stretch objects to test material properties
Stage 1

ST1-SCI-01 measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

  • Recognise that a force is a push or pull that changes movement, speed, direction or shape
  • Pose questions and test the effects of forces on an object’s movement
  • Test how frictional forces affect moving objects
  • Test how the force of magnetism affects objects

NSW K – 10 Science Mapping
Print NSW Mapping PDF

VIC Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

Science

Foundation to Level 2
  • The way objects move depends on factors including size, shape and material. VC2S2U10
  • Pushes and pulls are forces that can change an object’s movement or shape. VC2S2U11
Levels 3 & 4
  • Forces, including frictional and magnetic, affect the speed and direction of objects. VC2S4U10
  • Scientific investigations can be planned using fair test scaffolds. VC2S4I02

Design and Technologies

  • Levels 3-4: Describe how forces affect function in a product or system. VC2TDE4C01
  • Levels 3-4: Describe how the properties of materials affect function. VC2TDE4C04

VIC F – 6 Science Mapping
Print VIC Mapping PDF

School Testimonials

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The Scots College Sydney

Kate was fantastic yesterday too. A great incursion for the boys! Thank you
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Homebush West Public School

All of the students and teachers who attended the 'Forces, Friction and Movement' workshop on Monday thoroughly enjoyed the experience, particularly the nature of the presenter and the hands-on activities you provided. One of our school focus points is that we encourage our students to be active learners and that's exactly what your program allowed our students to do! Our students were able to actively engage and participate in their own learning and they loved it!

Science Show Activities

Spin spin spin

Once the disks spin they hold their angle due to inertia

Rocket carts

For every action there's an equal & opposite action

Mega hoberman spin

As collapsing spheres spin they speed up...why?

Space station twirl

Learn how gyroscopes are used on International Space Station

Gyrating gyros

Create balance in the gyroscopes with a bit of speed

Skateboard shuffle

Investigate push and pull forces

Rocket launch

Release pressure to make it fly!

Euler's disc

A lack of friction allows movement to go for a long time

Magnetic levitators

Levitate the magnets and watch them spin with very low friction

Table cloth pull

An inertia demonstration used in magic tricks

Magnet mayhem

Investigate the interaction of a variety of magnets

Dropper poppers

Store and release energy with a spring!

Vortex fog rings

Transfer force with air vortices

Gyro rings

Pull the rings up against gravity as they spin

Tornado tubes

Make a tornadoes in a bottle.

Inertia beads

Self-siphoning beads... how do they work?

Balancing bottle

It's all about the centre of balance!

Book pull apart

The more friction, the harder it is to separate the pages

Nail chair

Its all about spreading out the pressure!

Student spinning a plate on a stick

Science workshop content

What Students Experience: The Physics Lab

In this high-velocity workshop, students explore the fundamental laws that govern how everything in our universe moves. From the microscopic friction between surfaces to the massive forces required for space travel, we make Newtonian physics tangible, visual, and unforgettable.

1. Newton’s Fundamentals

We kick off with spectacular demonstrations of Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, illustrated through everything from sitting on a chair of nails to the physics of a balancing bottle.

2. Hands-On Exploration

Students rotate through specialised stations to test how laws of motion apply across solids, liquids, and gases. They investigate rotational “spinning” forces, static and frictional forces, and the nature of non-contact magnetic forces.

3. Advanced Mechanics

The session concludes by reinforcing the concepts, including the classic tablecloth pull and the mechanics of spacecraft manoeuvring in a vacuum. We even launch vortex rings to show how force transfers through the air.

EST. 2004

Our Commitment to Quality Science Education

A Trusted School Partner for 20 Years

Fizzics Education delivers reliable, syllabus-aligned visits that engage students and meet the practical requirements of the Australian classroom.

Authentic Physics Apparatus: Using specialised specialised gyroscopes, air tracks, and force meters.

Newtonian Depth: Moving beyond simple “push/pull” to explore inertia, momentum, and mechanics.

A student holding a bike wheel by its handles while a science presenter helps him spin

Requirements

⚙️ Workshop Logistics

Session Requirements

👥 Capacity & Timing

👨‍🎓 Attendance: Max 30 students per class.

🏫 Target: Appropriate for Years K to 6.

Duration: 60 or 90 minute options.

🛠️ Set/Pack: 30 mins setup + 30 mins pack down.

📍 Venue Requirements

🏗️ Tables: 10 tables arranged around the room for rotation stations.

🔌 Power: Access to 1 electrical power socket.

🪑 Seating: Chairs are not required for students.

COVID Safe

Social Distancing: We will tailor the workshop to suit both your school and the State’s current requirements. Contact us here.

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Go Further!

Complete Units of Work to Support Your Teaching

Save planning time with high-quality videos, printable experiments, vocabulary lists, and marking rubrics designed to engage students in STEM.

Explore STEM Units

Extend the Experience

Pair this workshop with a larger stage show for groups of up to 240 students:

Cost

💰 Workshop Investment

Forces & Friction

$580 inc. GST
60-Minute Workshop
✨ $19.33 per student
(Based on 30 students)

$660 inc. GST
90-Minute Workshop
✨ $22.00 per student
(Based on 30 students)

$750 inc. GST
60-Minute Stage Show
✨ $12.50 per student
(Based on 60 students)

Early Bird: Book and pay within 7 days to receive 10% off your booking.

View offers & discounts

🔖 Offers: Find out about bulk offers & discounts here.

🌍 Global Reach: Available as a live online class anywhere in the world.

📍 Regional: We visit country schools via Country Science Tours.

📑 Syllabus: Print a PDF for mapping of all K to 6 science visits.

Call 1300 856 828

Click below to book your primary school incursion.

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

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Extension Ideas!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

Read More

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