NGSS K-PS2-1
Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
At a Glance
THIS STANDARD FOCUSES ON
Investigating how varying the strength and direction of pushes and pulls changes how objects move — including starting, stopping, speeding up, and changing direction.
KEY SKILLS ADDRESSED
Prediction, investigation planning, variable testing, observation, data recording, cause-and-effect reasoning
CORE CONCEPTS
Forces (pushes and pulls), motion, direction, strength, Newton's Third Law, thrust, action-reaction
HOW BRAINIAC BUNCHSUPPORTS THIS
Through balloon rocket launches and catapult builds — kids directly feel and measure how changing force strength and direction changes object motion.
Official Standard Language
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), 2013
Standard Code:
NGSS K-PS2-1
Grade Level:
Kindergarten
Performance Expectation:
Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
Disciplinary Core Idea:
PS2.A: Forces and Motion — Pushes and pulls can have different strengths and directions. Pushing or pulling on an object can change the speed or direction of its motion and can start or stop it.
How Our Content Aligns
Mapping Brainiac Bunch resources to this standard
Little Lab Challenges supports NGSS K-PS2-1 through 2 hands-on podcast episodes, 2 investigation activities, and 2 classroom-ready printables. Balloon rockets (Episode 3) and marshmallow catapults (Episode 6) let kids directly manipulate force strength and direction and observe the results.
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Episodes:
Audio-guided investigations exploring Newton's Third Law — kids experience action-reaction by launching balloon rockets and testing how pull-back distance changes catapult range
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Activities:
Hands-on force-testing experiments using string, balloons, rubber bands, and craft sticks — all household materials with measurable, observable outcomes
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Printables:
Rocket Race Score Sheet (data collection across 6 configurations) and Catapult Blueprint + Score Sheet (engineering design + results tracking)
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Topics:
Forces & Motion subtopic within Physical Science — covers pushes, pulls, direction, strength, Newton's Third Law, and thrust
Aligned Episodes
2 Episodes
supporting this standard
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Lava Lamp in a Bottle
Little Lab Challenges • 8 minutes • Ages 5–10
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Mini Marshmallow Catapult
Little Lab Challenges • 8 minutes • Ages 5–10
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Dancing Raisins
Little Lab Challenges • 8 minutes • Ages 5–10
Using This Standard Across Ages
For Younger Learners (Ages 5-6)
Focus on the physical sensation — hold your hand in front of the balloon as it launches and feel the air. Count 'big push' vs 'small push' and compare which makes the rocket go farther. Use gestures (push/pull) before written records. Verbal responses to questions are fine for ages 5–6.
For Grade-Level Learners (Ages 7-8)
Plan the investigation formally — predict before testing, record data in the Score Sheet during testing, analyze after. Ask: 'What one thing would you change to make the rocket go farther? Why?' Connect push strength to the number of breaths used to inflate.
For Advanced Learners (Ages 9-10)
Add quantitative measurement — measure distance in centimeters, calculate the difference between pull-back distances for the catapult. Design a fair test: what variables must be kept the same for the comparison to be valid? Introduce the concept of force in Newtons and connect to Newton's First Law (object at rest stays at rest until a push or pull acts on it).
Evidence of Learning
Observable outcomes and assessment support
Students demonstrate mastery when they can:
✓ Predict which push or pull will change an object's motion more before testing it.
✓ Record observations from 3+ push/pull configurations using the Score Sheet.
✓ Explain in their own words why the balloon rocket moves forward when air blasts backward.
✓ Identify the cause (force strength or direction) and effect (change in motion) for each trial.
✓ Compare two trial results and state which force produced greater motion.
Assessment Note:
Rocket Race Score Sheet (data collection formative), Catapult Score Sheet (iterative testing formative), oral exit question: 'What did Fix the Fox's balloon push against to move forward?'