Curated OER
Deformed Frogs! - The Parasite Hypothesis
This project provides young scholars the opportunity to investigate parasites as a possible cause of the observed frog deformities. It asks students to view web-based evidence and interpret whether it supports the parasite hypothesis....
Curated OER
Physical Science- Sink or Float?
Learners investigate which objects sink and which ones float. Learners engage in an experiment, make predictions, and record results on a graphic organizer. This is a comprehensive and easy to follow resource.
Curated OER
Junkyard Wars: Wild Watercraft
Students develop a fast travelling hull for a boat. In this physical science lesson plan, the students' hulls will be tested in a channel (built by the teacher) with a fan as the driving force. The students will compete for who has the...
Curated OER
Tree Hunt
Students identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa. Students...
Curated OER
Magnets and Interactions
Second graders discover what magnets can do. In this magnet instructional activity students make predictions about magnets. They experiment with the magnets and record their data on a chart.
Curated OER
Rain Forest
Young scholars study the Amazon tropical rain forest. In this rain forest lesson, students discuss the Manu Biosphere reserve and watch a video about conserving the rain forest. Young scholars create mobiles for the rainforest that...
Curated OER
Coffee Cooling
Pupils explore the factors that affect how long coffee stays hot. They develop a question and a testable hypothesis for one factor such as initial temperature or size of opening of the container. Then they design and conduct an...
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Inquiry in Action: Teach Science Well
Online textbook reviews fundamentals of chemistry and physical science via slideshow presentations, notes, and videos. Materials for classroom activities engage students in inquiry-based, hands-on investigations covering molecular...
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Inquiry in Action: Teach Science Well
Online textbook reviews fundamentals of chemistry and physical science via slideshow presentations, notes, and videos. Materials for classroom activities engage students in inquiry-based, hands-on investigations covering molecular...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Stream Study: Assessing the Relative Health of Streams
Students will collect invertebrate samples from three different streams using nets and kick-seines. They then identify what they have found and add the information to the whole class data. Afterward, students propose a new question about...
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...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: From a Distance
Students use the Internet, books, and articles to research the Earth and its changes (tides, seasons, atmosphere, etc.), develop a "class exhibit about the Earth" and "a survey that includes five questions that will measure what the...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: Digging for Clues
Students explore archeology, dating methods, and the skills and technology needed to be an archeologist through the three activities provided. Activities require research of a historical period, class discussion and creative thinking.
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: Second Time Around
What is the recycling process? Why is it important to recycle? Through the activities on this page, students explore the answers to these questions, encourage others to recycle, present skits on the effects of recycling, and more.
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: Up to Speed
Students "learn about vehicles, velocity, angles, and energy," as they participate in a variety of creative and hands-on activities, like building adjustable ramps, researching modes of transportation, and predicting "what transportation...
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Scientific Discovery
Scientific discovery is the process or product of successful scientific inquiry. Objects of discovery can be things, events, processes, causes, and properties as well as theories and hypotheses and their features (their explanatory...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Digging Up Details on Worms: Using Science in an Inquiry Study
A lesson plan based on a study unit of earthworms, using the inquiry model to integrate scientific processes with literacy practices. Instruction plans, related resources, and standards are included.
Other
New Mexico State University: Science Pirates: The Curse of Brownbeard
Available for PC and Mac, an educational game relaying the importance of food safety, handwashing, and hygiene, while encouraging scientific exploration and inquiry. Requires approximately two hours of playing time to complete.
Edutopia
Edutopia: The Five Features of Science Inquiry: How Do You Know?
Teaching science through science inquiry is the cornerstone of good teaching. Teaching science through science inquiry is the cornerstone of good teaching. Unfortunately, an inquiry-approach to teaching science is not the norm in schools...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Stream Investigation
This is a field study where students investigate the characteristics and processes of local streams to see how they affect the landscape around them, and develop questions that could be investigated. They also collect rock samples from...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The American Red Squirrel an Outdoor Inquiry Lesson
For this activity, students are presented with red pine cones that have been partly eaten by the American Red Squirrel, a fact that is not divulged to them at this stage. After a discussion of the possibilities, the class takes a walk in...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The Great Egg Drop: Relationship Between Gravity, Mass and Density
An interesting experiment in the relationship between gravity, density, and mass. Students must devise a way to drop a milk carton containing two raw eggs off a roof 50 feet high, without breaking the eggs. They then write a scientific...