I'm trying to explain elementary mechanics - without the benefits of calculus or even algebra - and struggling. I'd like to find reasonable ways to demonstrate Newton's laws, minimally, and possibly continuing though basic projectile motion, although that may be too much to hope for.
Answer
I remember enjoying the Webelos Scientist Activity Badge (part of the Boy Scouts program applicable to 10-year-olds). (Here's a list of ideas.) Don't need to get too fancy, and a lot of these make nice little projects, i.e. 'build a hot-air balloon' is a great problem-solving exercise (think about what shapes you can cut out from tissue-paper and glue together to make a sphere; hold over a toaster to fill it with hot air).
Water rockets, model airplanes/gliders (even paper), potato cannon are also fun activities.
"How do airplanes fly" is a good question to think about, and refuting popular but incorrect ideas is a great critical thinking exercise.
At this age, it's probably more important to make science fun than to be totally pedantic.
There are lots of good conceptual points to ponder that could provide great topics for discussion:
How do tides work? Why are there high tides simultaneously on opposite sides of the earth? (Hint: the earth doesn't "shield" gravity!)
How do rockets stay in orbit?
Why does a mirror reverse left and right but not up and down?
What does it take to balance a see-saw?
Make a Mobius strip.
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