Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Diversity of Life in Your Neighborhood
Young scholars go outdoors to compare the diversity of life in two locations. Following the observations, hold class discussions on environment, diversity, kingdoms, and other related issues.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Balloon Rockets in 1 D
For this inquiry activity, students solve a 1D motion challenge in groups. Students build their own balloon rocket from the materials provided with little guidance from the instructor. They collect data and use it to prepare a position...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Chromotography: An Open Inquiry
After a short demonstration on chromatography, students brainstorm ways to change the experiment, and develop a new, testable question related to chromatography.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: "Stained Glass Glue"
In the activity, "Stained Glass Glue," students use common everyday materials to use inquiry when they mix different substances and observe the unusual result of mixing water colors, milk and common dishwashing detergent.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Isotopes: Using M&m's as a Model for Calculating Atomic Mass
This activity allows students to gain an understanding of the relationship between the mass and relative abundance of an isotope and its effect on the average atomic mass of the element. Students will be given a random sample of the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Egg Drop Activity to Promote Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills
For this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Alternative Energy Resources
Society is beginning to recognize the limited supply of fossil fuels. In this project, students will investigate alternative energy sources. Conservation of resources is discussed and while conservation is an important step, at some...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observations & Interpretations: Engaging Students in Classroom Experiments
Use this method to emphasize and clarify for students the importance of differentiating between observations and interpretations, and qualitative and quantitative observations. Students will learn how a hypothesis may change as new...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Diffusion Demonstration
An interactive demonstration where students make observations of the process of diffusion. Students draw and record observations, make predictions, and make comparisons between what they're observing and how a cell membrane works.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Characteristics of Light: Light Travels in a Straight Line
In this lab experience, the students will be asked questions about characteristics of light and sound and whether these energy sources travel in straight lines. The teacher briefly demonstrates light and sound travel. Students will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Boiling Water With Ice: Effect of Pressure on the Boiling Point of Water
In this activity, which is a discrepant event with guided inquiry, the teacher will go through the steps of boiling water with ice. Through the students telling and recording WHAT is happening, the teacher is showing the students what...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Testing for Electrical Conductivity Using Materials
In this activity, students will understand that electricity moves through different circuits and discover what types of materials are conductors and insulators.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Alternative Energy Debate
With a learning team, learners choose an alternative energy source such as solar, wind, biofuel, geothermal or other form and research the pros and cons of that energy type. The team then splits into debate teams and draws straws to...
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: Promoting Environmental Awareness Through Culture and Exploration
In this lesson, the story of Turtle Island is told to the students. Each student will collect leaves and bring one to school, every day, for about a month. Discuss as a class where they come from and why they are all different. Every...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Discovering Nature in Our Neighborhood: Investigating Natural Communities
Students examine the natural surroundings around the school and identify micro-communities of plants, insects, and other animals through walks and nature journaling.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Discovering the Effect Mining Has on Land
Students investigate how land is used for mining, and then mine for ore and observe damage to the surrounding land. To reclaim the land, they must fill in the holes and observe how the land has changed.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Evaporation: Determine the Variables That Affect the Rate of Evaporation
In this instructional activity, learners will be able to explain and demonstrate the process of evaporation while discovering the variables that affect the rate of evaporation.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Density of Solid Objects
In this science inquiry, students investigate whether volume or density of objects determine the floating or sinking in water. Using a rock and a block of wood teachers engage students in the discussion of density, mass and volume.
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: Analyzing Forces and Motion Graphs by Riding an Elevator
A high school physics lab on classical mechanics in which learners study force versus time and acceleration versus time. Students need access to an elevator to complete the experiments. A lab handout is provided.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Density of a Penny
Students learn how to measure the volume and mass of an object and use that to compute density. They will then use that density to talk about experimental errors and accuracy of measurements.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Applicable Stoichiometry: Combustion Reaction of Acetylene
In this chemistry lab, students investigated the best stoichiometric mixture of acetylene gas generated from the reaction of calcium carbide and water with available atmospheric oxygen in order to achieve the highest group altitude of a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Can We Measure the Wavelength of Light Emitted From Stars?
This activity is designed for students to apply their knowledge of mathematics and physics to "real life" situations. Students are presented with the situation that they are on a camping trip and wish to know the wavelength emitted by a...