Balanced Assessment
Fermi Estimates II
How many hot dogs does Fenway Park go through in a year? Learners estimate answers to this question and more as they work through the task. Problems require participants to make assumptions and use those assumptions to make estimations.
Curated OER
Areology: The Study of Mars
Students use Oreo candy bars to explore how surface core samples call tell people about the history and make-up of Mars.
Curated OER
Kernel Count!
Here is an impressive and thorough lesson on estimation. Young mathematicians estimate how many kernels of popcorn can fit in a tablespoon, then how many tablespoons of kernels can fit in a baby food jar. The popcorn is then popped. All...
Curated OER
Microbes
Microbiology beginners feed different sweetening agents to yeast and measure carbon dioxide production to estimate energy contained in each. They set the trials up in zip-top plastic baggies and then measure gas volume by water...
Curated OER
Measuring Yourself Using the Metric System
Students measure using the metric system. For this geometry lesson, students solve problems using grams, meters and liters. They convert between the US units of measurements and the Metric System.
Skyscraper Museum
Building a Skyscraper
Creating buildings that reach hundreds of feet into the sky is no easy task. The third instructional activity in this series begins with four activities that engage young architects in exploring the major challenges that are faced when...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How is Flowing Water an Energy Source? Activity C
Can the force of falling water through a tube vary by altering the diameter of the tube or its height? That is what physical scientists aim to discover in this activity, the third in successively more revealing activities on the power of...
Michigan State University
Gases Matter
Young scientists learn that seeing isn't necessarily believing when it comes to the states of matter. After performing a fun class demonstration that models the difference between solids, liquids, and gases, children complete a series of...
Center for Learning in Action
Water—Changing States (Part 1)
Here is part one of a two-part lesson in which scholars investigate the changing states of water—liquid, solid, and gas. With grand conversation and up to three demonstrations, learners make predictions about what they think will happen...
National Institute of Open Schooling
Hydrogen and s-Block Elements
Lesson 19 in the series of 36 analyzes the element hydrogen and the s-block elements. Through readings, answering questions, and discussion, learners write about and explain their occurrence, physical and chemical properties, and...
American Museum of Natural History
Feed the Birds
What kinds of birds are common in the area? Young scientists use household supplies to create bird feeders. They then document the birds that come to their feeders by keeping journals.
American Museum of Natural History
Feed the Birds
Scholars use a large carton, string, an emery board, and bird food to create a hand-made bird feeder. After completing the craft, pupils keep a journal to track their observations.
Curated OER
Sequencing From Close To Far
Students explore how objects stay the same size and only "look" like they change when closer are farther from the object. They sequence aerial photos and satellite images from closest to farthest.
Curated OER
Mars Landing Site
Students, through the use of candy bars at room temperature, explore the problems selecting a landing site on Mars.
Curated OER
Igneous Rocks
Second graders examine how igneous rocks are formed by watching a video. They create a volcano.
Curated OER
Rain Forest Terrariums
Fifth graders make rain forest terrariums in order to observe a simulated mini-environment. They place the layers and plants into container and place where it can be observed. They observe the closed water system in the container before...
Curated OER
Sink or Float?
Students predict and test different items to see if they sink or float. In this sink and float lesson plan, students predict whether an item is buoyant or not, and learn that size and weight do not matter when it comes to buoyancy.
Curated OER
Rethink Your Drink
Students identify the contents of popular drinks. In this health lesson students learn how to read labels and devise ways that they can drink more water.
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Bigger Bubbles
Fourth graders explore properties of bubbles. In this lesson about bubbles, 4th graders perform an experiment. Students analyze the properties of bubble making substances and surface tension. Students create a square bubble. Students...
Curated OER
Sizing Up Servings
Students learn the definition of a suggested serving size and re-define their daily food intake in terms of these recommended amounts.
Curated OER
Can Acid and Bases Remedy the Body?
Students experiment with acids and bases using technology-based "probe-ware", computers, and household products in this exciting biology/chemistry lesson. The lesson was written for an advanced 6th grade class.
Curated OER
Introductory Lesson on How pH Levels are Determined
Learners explore pH levels of different substances. In this lesson about pH, students work together in three to four groups to test substances. moving between three different stations performing tests on the substances to determine...
Curated OER
Mr. Gallon
Students investigate measurement conversions using a visual demonstration. In this mathematics conversions activity, students create an image of a plastic gallon jug using a paint software program. Students utilize the jug...
Curated OER
Understanding Climate Change
Explore the causes and effects of a warming planet with your students.