Curated OER
Energy Resources: Where Are They and How Do We Get Them?
Future energy engineers visit several stations, each one dedicated to a different alternative source of energy. They describe how solar energy is converted into other forms of energy, the patterns of distribution of energy resources in...
Physics Classroom
From a Feather to an Elephant
It is always a rush to drop objects from great heights, and with this physics experiment, class members will not be disappointed! They drop a single coffee filter from a balcony or table top, record the time it takes to reach the ground,...
Perkins School for the Blind
Conductors of Heat - Hot Spoons
Why is the end of a spoon hot when it's not all the way in the hot water? A great question deserves a great answer, and learners with visual impairments will use their auditory and tactile senses to get that answer. A talking...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
Cornell University
Atomic Bonding
Explore the connection of surface area to bonding within atoms. Learners complete lab investigations to model changing surface area with different sizes and concentrations of atoms. A flour fireball demonstration follows the labs to...
Curated OER
Activity #6 How Fast Do Reactions Go?
Students name the factors (concentration, temperature, and a catalyst) which can affect the rate of a chemical reaction. They use their knowledge of particle theory to explain their observations. Pupils comprehend that the...
Cornell University
Making a Battery
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
Curated OER
Home Electrical Safety
Students explain the danger of incorrectly wired plugs. In this physics lesson, students construct their own safe plug. They share the finished project in class.
Curated OER
Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. In this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.
Curated OER
Blast Off
In this physical science exploration, small groups place a piece of antacid tablet into a film canister and step back to time how long it takes for the top to pop. They repeat the activity, altering either the amount or temperature of...
Curated OER
Blast Off!
Fourth graders investigate the third law of motion. In this third law of motion lesson, 4th graders explore the forces necessary for a rocket to launch. Students compare and contrast propellant and fuel. Numerous resources are provided.
Curated OER
Heavy Issues
Fourth graders compare the difference between the mass of people, vehicles and trains in order to explain why it is important not to trespass on railroad tracks.
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Curated OER
Coastal Surveys
Learners investigate the human impact on coastal land. For this coastal surveys lesson plan, students choose a coastal area and complete a survey sheet about the area. They choose a topic about a sea side village called Dunwich to...
Curated OER
Understanding the Ice
Students explore the concept of sea ice. In this sea ice instructional activity, students interview arctic hunters to regarding the sea ice safety and attributes.
Curated OER
Animal Adaptation
Students begin the lesson by observing animals in their natural habitat. Using the internet, they research the types of adaptations they have gone through to be able to live comfortably in their environment. They observe what they see on...
Curated OER
All About the Brain
Students use eggs, cooking oil, foam balls and more to create a simulation of the brain and record what happens in each step. For this brain lesson plan, students learn about protecting the brain, the brain's ability to learn, and reflexes.
Curated OER
Let's Create an Ecosystem
Seventh graders discover how an ecosystem works by creating one in class. In this Earth science lesson, 7th graders study vocabulary terms associated with ecosystem and read environment handouts. Students create an observatory...
Curated OER
Comets and Meteors
Students construct a model of a comet nucleus using dry ice. They add other materials and describe the features. They complete related exercises on an Internet Web site.
Curated OER
Farm Life
Students identify features and characteristics of a farm. Students recall events from the book, Tanya's Reunion. Students visit a local farm. Students sing the song Old MacDonald had a Farm and Farmer in the Dell while on the way to...
Curated OER
A "Sedimental" Journey-Sediment Collection
Learners are asked how they would gather a sample of sediment from a lake, stream, river, pond, or swamp. They discuss safety concerns involving sample collections. Students are instructed to stay out of the water and to be careful not...
Curated OER
Cracked Marbles
Fourth graders determine how weathering, specifically ice, snow, and freezing water change the Earth's surface and rocks. After completing the investigations, they explain how heating and cooling expand and contract marbles until cracks...
Curated OER
We All Start Somewhere
Students demonstrate an understanding that the same data can lead to different interpretations and conclusions and that different interpretations and conclusions are not necessarily wrong, but can be useful in developing other scientific...
Curated OER
What Kind of Insect is That?
Fifth graders characterize insects and classify insects according to the Linnaean system. They use hand lenses or microscopes to examine insect body parts.