Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating an Inquiry Approach to Germination Growth in Plants
In this lab, students investigate the effects of a variable on the germination of a small plant. They will compare the growth of their variable to a control then write a lab report to report their findings.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mystery Box Scientific Method Inquiry Lab
In this activity, students will use their senses to form hypotheses from observations. They will develop methods of collecting data, other than visual, by trying to determine the contents of several small boxes and should be able to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: An Introduction to and Investigation on Keystone Species
A middle school ecology project in which students learn about ecosystems and the keystone species which inhabit them.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Tree for All Seasons
The students will observe a maple tree throughout the year and recognize changes in weather and phenology using their 5 senses.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Analyzing P H: Comparing Citrus Fruits, Stain Removers and a Green Product
The students will analyze the pH of four citrus fruits: lime, lemon, orange, and a grapefruit, and then they will analyze the pH of four different types of stain removers: Shout Advanced, Spray 'n Wash Max, Oxi Clean Laundry, and Clorox...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Making Observations and Drawings
This lesson will help young scholars develop their scientific observation skills and encourages students to make detailed observations. They will draw and describe insect specimens so another classmate can identify it.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: An Investigation Into Geologic Mapping: Quarry Park
In this geology field lab, students will map an area around Quarry 12 and Quarry 13 in Quarry Park. Using a field notebook, students will take field observations to later produce a basic geologic map, topographic map, and a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: 2 Day Investigating Soil Samples: Observing and Identifying Soils
This description of this activity is a 2-day lesson: Day 1, Field Lab, Day 2, and Classroom Investigation. In this field lab, children working in groups will collect 3 samples of soil from different locations. Each sample will be placed...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bacteria Growth Inquiry: Bodily Bacteria and Healthy Hygiene Habits
For this inquiry activity, groups of students will generate investigable questions to explore the link between hygiene/cleanliness and bacteria growth/population. They will record their processes and reflections in a journal and present...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Green Space Investigation: From Observation to Testable Questions
A field-based inquiry activity which begins with a small, focused, teacher-chosen domain of study, and then helps students develop investigable questions from their observations.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Birds: How Do We Increase the Bird Population at Our School?
This is a lesson plan of how to improve our environment as well as how to enjoy it. The learners will sit in the schoolyard, study pictures of birds and then compile similarities and differences. Students will observe live birds in the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Non Living Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
In this activity students will observe a square foot of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. They will keep a journal to record the physical elements of their area. It will include both written details and drawings. They will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bubbling Blobs
In this chemistry lab, young scholars investigate how oil and water don't mix. They will work on their observation skills and their ability to follow directions to ensure they get the correct results. Students can then develop a new,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Litter Retriever With a Gps Receiver
Have you ever wondered why litter is in some locations and not others? You will use a Global Positioning System (GPS) to mark the locations of trash and trash cans around a local park or school campus, import the data into Google Earth,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mapping Local Data in a Gis
In this activity, students will learn how to conduct a map-based science research project using a Geographic Information System (GIS). They will design an experiment, collect and record geospatial data, analyze geospatial relationships...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Data Rich Exercise for Discovering Plate Boundary Processes
This article in the Journal of Geoscience Education describes a classroom exercise based on four world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topographical and seafloor age data. Students participate in this exercise by using a "jigsaw"...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Map and Compass Lab
Science Scope article presents an activity on topography and land masses that helps students learn about scientific inquiry. Students also practice making and interpreting scale drawings and learning about computation, estimation and new...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Aboard Alvin
This Gulf of Maine educational website takes students aboard the submersible Alvin. It includes informational pages such as a project overview, as well as pages about Alvin, hydrothermal vents, and the researchers involved in the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Adventures at Dry Creek
This educational module enables students (5-12) to experience ongoing research of University of California paleontologists studying about life in Montana 60-70 million years ago. It gives students the opportunity to experience the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plant Pest Control
The goal of this learning experience is to familiarize learners with the concept of scientific inquiry, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation. Students will explore the website "Which Pest Control...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Beginning Scientific Inquiry With Water Kits
Young scholars will use their prior investigations with the Foss water kit to help create controlled scientific investigations. Groups will create a scientifically oriented question to further investigate water. They will create a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: "Mystery and the Unknown": Teaching Inquiry Through Aquatic Exploration
This field experience takes place at our school site pond. Students will use inquiry and direct observation to discover the types of aquatic animals that live in our school site pond. Students will record their findings in a journal, and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bowling Balls: Will They Sink or Will They Float?
Students will investigate what determines whether a material will sink or float. They will be given a bowling ball and have to make measurements and conclusions on whether their bowling ball will float, hover, or sink when placed in an...
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Measurement: Length,volume,temperature
This performance task tests students' ability to measure length, volume and temperature accurately in a lab setting.