Curated OER
Meteors
Students identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
Curated OER
Pond Water
Students explore a creek environment. They make observations, identify the living and nonliving factors in the environment and collect a plankton sample to take back to the classroom. In addition, they look at plankton under a microscope.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students use a microcomputer connected to a conductivity probe to measure the total dissolved solids in local area water samples. Students then compare their measurements with others in their class as well as other standard measurements.
Curated OER
Building on the Past
Students consider how the scientific advances of the past have contributed to the science topics reported on today in the Science Times section. After reading a current science article, they compare and contrast the way science was...
Curated OER
Whale Adaptations
Students explore whales and how they have adapted to survive in the ocean. In this whale adaptations lesson students complete several activities that allow them to investigate animal adaptations.
Curated OER
Limu Party
Students explore limu in their everyday lives. In this science lesson plan, students identify various uses of limu and discuss common household products that contain limu. Students participate in a limu party.
Curated OER
Chloroplasts
Students study chloroplasts, their structure and evolution. In this photosynthesis lesson students experiment with polarized light and the production of chlorophyll.
Curated OER
Asteroids
Learners examine the different types of asteroids and how they enter the atmosphere. In this space lesson students use mashed potatoes to create an asteroid they can eat.
Curated OER
A WebQuest about Ocean
Fifth graders explore the realm of an ocean through an ocean WebQuest. The Problem Based Learning Theory is used within this lesson. They complete several activities on the different concepts of oceans. Students are challenged to solve...
Curated OER
Classroom Idea: Building a Road
Students explore technology by conducting a infrastructure role-play in class. In this road building lesson, students identify the techniques and manpower used to build a modern day road. Students utilize building blocks to create a mock...
Curated OER
Hear the Wave!
Learners study sound and ear function. In this sound functions lesson, students investigate soundwaves by completing various experiments. Learners participate in a number of sound stations and complete the comparison chart with their...
Curated OER
Making Graphs
Students explore statistics by conducting class demographic surveys. In this graph making lesson, students identify the family members of each classmate, pets they own, and favorite activities. Students organize their statistics and...
Curated OER
Hopper Herding
Students explore biology by examining insects up close. In this grasshopper and cricket lesson, students discuss the types of insects that can jump and why it is important they are able to do so. Students examine a grassy field with...
Curated OER
The Three Sisters
Third graders explore companion planting. In this lesson, 3rd graders listen to the Native American story The Three Sisters about crop planting. Students determine the important roles within companion planting.
Curated OER
Determining Cutting Site Locations
Students explore DNA restriction mapping. They cut pieces of paper into lengths representing those produced when specific enzymes are used to cut a strand of DNA.
Curated OER
The Great Cafeteria Caper
Students extract DNA from their own hair roots. They run an electrophoresis gel to examine patterns of their DNA along with standard DNA. The experiment is based on a crime scene scenario.
Curated OER
Characterization of the Bioluminescence (Lux+) Gene E. coli
Students grow E. coli strain HB101, which contains the plasmid pUCD607 with the bioluminescence (Lux+) gene. The plasmid containing the Lux+ gene is isolated from the E. coli, then characterized by restriction analysis.
Safe Drinking Water Foundation
How Water Pollution Is Cleaned Up
As a follow-up from the previous lesson, young environmentalists discuss the benefits of water filtration and whether or not it's the best option. Other alternatives including air stripping, bioremediation, and phytoremediation are...
Curated OER
Hand Lotion Analysis
Students prepare a sample of a commercial hand lotion for analysis by HPLC to determine the percent composition of two common cosmetic preservatives, methylparaben and propylparaben. They perform the analysis and the data is evaluated to...
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Condensation
When you have a cold drink and you notice the water forming on the outside, it is literally pulling the water from the surrounding air to form the condensation. After watching a demonstration of condensation forming on a glass,...
Curated OER
The Ultimate Classroom: R & D
Redecorate a classroom on a budget. Middle schoolers rebuild a classroom after a disaster. They conduct Internet research to determine construction supplies needed and the most cost effective way to reach the predetermined results. They...
Curated OER
Biomes
Arranged as an interactive lesson, this presentation focuses on the six world biomes. Upcoming biologists click on a specific biome and a slide lists its location, description, native plants, and animals. A quiz provides learners with...
Exploratorium
Pixels, Pictures, and Phones
Take a real close look at your phone screen. What do you see? Here's an activity that provides guidance on how to look at a smart phone screen in order to see the pixels and to see how the phone creates colors and motion on the screen.
Curated OER
Totally Awesome Answers to Wacky Wonders
Middle schoolers work with a partner to gather information on a question from two sources using a computer program and the Internet. They also write a report with visuals to air on closed-circuit TV for the school. Use this lesson to...