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How Things Fly
Learners explain basic principles of aeronautics such as gravity and lift. For this How Things Fly lesson, students visit the interactive, hands-on How Things Fly gallery at the Smithsonian. Learners perform three experiments that...
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Weightlessness
Students use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
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Lesson 5: Boyle's Law
Learners participate in a lab to verify Boyle's Law using applied force (weight) to do work on a closed isolated system of air. "Elasticity of Gases Apparatus, BASIX" from Sargent-Welch is the syringe apparatus used to measure volume...
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Investigation 3 - Condensation Chambers
Fourth graders investigate the concept of condensation and how it is formed. They conduct an experiment and make observations of the chambers. Students record the data and then write down conclusions. The lesson includes background...
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Water Pressure
Students spend time examining the concept of water pressure. In groups, they research the amount of air pressure that is felt at different levels above sea level. Using a calculator, they calculate the water pressure given different...
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Dew Point
Fourth graders investigate saturation conditions and measure the dew point. They conduct an experiment, record data on a worksheet, and measure the dew point in the experiment.
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Respiratory System
Students analyze the function of the lungs. In this lesson about the Respiratory System, students explore breathing and the movement of air through the lungs. Students perform an 4 part experiment to observe what it might look like for...
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Out and About: Sound
Pupils visit science museums. In this hands-on science activity, students visit the Magna Science Adventure Center, Thinktank, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
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Incandescent Light Bulb
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the light bulb.
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Watercycle
Third graders examine the natural circulation of water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to evaporation into the air, and then to condensation to produce rain falling back to the soil as components of the water cycle.
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Let's Think About... Magnets and Gravity
Students watch an episode of the PBS show "Jay Jay the Jet Plane," and explore magnets and gravity. They conduct various experiments involving magnets and sand, bean bags, and a fishing pole with magnets.
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Mushroom
Students identify the different types of mushrooms. In this biology lesson, students explore different mushroom experiments they can do at home. They discuss ways to extend sliced mushrooms' shelf life.
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Frisbee
Students examine the history behind the frisbee and how Bernoulli's principle and Newton's law plays a role. In this flight lesson students complete an experiment on how the rim of a frisbee effects flight.
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Investigation 7 - Plants In Soil
Fourth graders explain how the components of soil effect plant growth. They brainstorm different kinds of materials that plants could use for structural support. They design an experiment to show that plants can grow without soil.
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Three Methods of Heat Transfer
Learners participate in a variety of experiments designed to illustrate types of heat transfer including conduction, convection and radiation. They complete worksheets as an assessment of the experiments.
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Global Environmental Change
Students examine environmental change of land, water, and air, discuss Clear Skies Legislation, and experiment on solid compaction and
resultant water filtration.
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Gravity
Students explore gravitational force. Through experimentation, students observe the acceleration of objects when they fall. They examine air resistance, and how the human body is attracted to the earth. Students discover the...
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Micro-organisms
Sixth graders explore the world of micro-organisms. In this science lesson plan, 6th graders discover additives which will deter micro-organism growth.
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The Magnificent Breathing Machine
Students discover their magnificent breathing machine. In this science lesson plan, students learn the functions of the lungs in our bodies and become aware that in breathing an exchange of gases takes place in the lungs.
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Action and Reaction
Students experiment with Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this physics and motion lesson, students complete two experiments to illustrate force and its equal and opposite reaction. Students first work in pairs to exert an equal force on...
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Making Sound All Around
Fourth graders examine how sound waves are effected by frequency and pitch. They conduct experiments using tuning forks, rubber bands, balloons, and water, and answer questions about the experiments.
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Learning From Leaves: Adaptations To Differing Light Levels
Students, in groups, examine plants with different light levels. They are given plants from a tropical and desert region. They write a hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment.
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Gathering Data About Respiration
Students engage in an experiment that tests how much air we breathe in and out during the respiration process. For this respiration lesson, students blow a typical breath's amount of air into a balloon. They use a ruler to measure the...
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Motion in Fluids
Pupils explore physical science by participating in a science activity. In this liquids lesson, students discuss how fluids can be affected by motion unlike solids. Pupils define other scientific vocabulary terms and conduct a motion...