Curated OER
Investigating Motion
Young scholars explore types of motion. In this motion experiment, students observe how objects move. Young scholars work in small groups to discover the laws of motion.
Curated OER
Botany Basics
Students survey plants. In this plant identification instructional activity, students explore the difference in plants to aid identification. Students determine which plants may be used for medicinal reasons.
Curated OER
What's in Our Woods?
Students observe their local forest and document the change that occurs over the school year. For this forestry lesson, students utilize a GPS to mark a certain area of the woods as their study area for the remainder of the year....
Curated OER
Making Observations: Candle Activity
In this making observations: candle activity worksheet, students write observations of an unlit candle, then write observations of a lit candle, then sort them as quantitative or qualitative observations.
Curated OER
What is Science?
In this scientific observations activity, students study an illustration and then complete 5 short answer questions about what they observe happening in the picture.
Curated OER
Solve the Mystery Photo
Pupils observe a mystery photo and use descriptive language to solve the mystery. In this descriptive language activity, students use scientific observation to figure out a mystery photo. Pupils rationalize their thoughts with...
University of California
University of California at Berkeley: Understanding Science: Mystery Tubes
Students collaborate to create a drawing or model of what the inside of a mystery tube looks like. The tube has two ropes attached to a ring inside it. Students must use their powers of observation and deduction to try to understand how...
University of California
University of California at Berkeley: Understanding Science: Mystery Boxes
An interesting lesson where students collaborate to create a visual image of what the inside of a sealed box looks like. The box has a marble or other type of sphere inside it, as well as partitions and/or ramps. Students come to...
University of California
University of California at Berkeley: Understanding Science: Poking Around
Students work in groups to develop an understanding of the size and shape of an object hidden beneath a plywood board, asking questions, testing their reasoning, and drawing conclusions, as scientists do. Students are never permitted to...
![Huntington Library: Making Community Measurements: Which Plant Part? [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Huntington Library: Making Community Measurements: Which Plant Part? [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Making Community Measurements: Which Plant Part? [Pdf]
A instructional activity in observing a plant or plant community in different seasons for the purposes of recording observable changes.
Other
Science4 Us: Science Tools
The Tools module introduces students to the tools scientists use for both qualitative and quantitative observations. Students learn to use tools such as their senses, rulers, and balance scales through hands-on activities.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Stuff to Do: Finding Fossils
Guidelines for investigating fossils in the field include specimen-finding strategies, dos and don'ts, examples of the kinds of fossils you may see, and other helpful information, such as how to record your observations and finds in a...
University of California
Ucmp: Understanding Science: Tennis Shoe Detectives
A instructional activity where students take copies of their shoe prints, then create a story and illustrate it with pictures showing trails of footprints. Presented are samples of such trails that can be used to stimulate class...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Scientific Methods: Using "Awakenings" to Dispel Misconceptions
An activity where young scholars watch the movie "Awakenings" starring Robin Williams. The purpose of the lesson is for students to record on a tally sheet each time they notice a step in the scientific method being used. They will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Schoolyard Field Guide and Flower Part Identification
For this activity, students observe plants in the schoolyard and record their observations and ideas in a science journal. They will learn the parts of a flower and make a detailed examination of a chosen part.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Schoolyard Bio Blitz
For this activity, students visit a small section of the schoolyard and record observations in a scientific journal. They will observe different things as the school year progresses, including ecological relationships, human impact on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Stream Velocity Investigation Using Inquiry
An outdoor activity where students visit a local stream for a scientific inquiry. They make observations about the stream, and take measurements of the stream's velocity, depth, and width. They will also develop a sediment thickness...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Scientific Inquiry: Investigations to Collect Data
Sing along to a karaoke song about collecting data through observation and measurement, review related vocabulary definitions, and take a quiz to test your knowledge.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Stuff to Do: Stargazing
Get started on the road to becoming an expert stargazer by following these recommendations for identifying stars, planets, and constellations. Includes an example of a journal that can be used as a record of your investigations.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Runaway Universe
Use this activity to model how scientists use indirect observations to define problems that are not directly measurable.
Climate Literacy
Clean: Time Series: Uncovering the Hidden Processes in Science
In the following exercise, students will review techniques useful to scientists asthey analyze series of data. Learn about scientific observation and try to recognize a pattern or trend within the data.
Other
Science4 Us: Observing Matter
Students begin to learn the words to describe matter correctly and accurately, learning important skills for communicating scientific information. They will also observe using their senses and scientific tools to measure numerical...
Other
I Naturalist
Community-sharing site lets all the world's sharp-eyed naturalists, including school-age students, record their observations of the outdoor world.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Seasonal Changes of a Tree
For this activity, students adopt a tree in the schoolyard and observe it throughout the year, recording the changes that they notice as the seasons pass. They will learn about the parts of the tree and notice how the tree is used by...