Curated OER
Investigating the Biosphere With Planetary Models
Students create a biosphere using the computer program SImEarth. They work in small groups to create "Daisyworld" in which they model aspects of the Gaia hypothesis. They form a question to answer and choose variables to investigate in...
Curated OER
Apply Scientific Inquiry and Scientific Habits of Mind
Students review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they apply this method to various experiments they are given to complete. They also use the correct scientific habits of mind when researching different concepts.
Curated OER
Leaf Pack Study
Students conduct an experiment using leaf packs. In this leaf lesson students complete an activity in groups and complete a handout.
Curated OER
See How They Grow: Plants And Their Parts
Pupils discuss what plants require in order to grow, identify plant parts and their functions and discuss a video about plants. They conduct a controlled experiment with bean seeds and then record and observe the bean plants.
Curated OER
Car Wash
Learners determine the most appropriate site for a car wash, based on each site's soil characteristics (chemical, physical) and topographic features. They perform an experiment to determine the changes to three different soil types when...
Curated OER
That's the Way the Ball Bounces
High schoolers investigate and compare the bouncing ability of the materials from which four different balls are made. They determine which material performs the best for use as a basketball. After collecting data in a small group they...
Curated OER
Mutations--Preexisting or Acquired?
Students state the controls and variables of the Newcombe spread experiment. They state a hypothesis for the Newcombe spread experiment. Students distinguish between the characteristics of a preexisting mutations and those of an...
Curated OER
Targeting an Action
Students explore how the brain how the brain infers the position of a moving target. They investigate how the brain can fine-tune its motor control over the muscle groups that will perform the intended action. Students participate in a...
Curated OER
Traffic Watch with a Palm
Students, in groups, interpret data about traffic using Palm technology.
Curated OER
Our Food and Microorganisms
Students answer questions about how microorganisms can affect our food supply and how they can be controlled. The first set of inquiry activities are directed by the teacher. Subsequent activities are based on students generating their...
Curated OER
Farming Fantastic Friends
Seventh graders demonstrate scientific inquiry to design and perform an experiment involving Grow Creatures. They participate in a class discussion, and in small groups design an experiment that determines how to change the materials to...
Curated OER
Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind
Students work together to brainstorm their obstacles in testing different scientific principles. In groups, they are given a scenerio with a specific dilemma and they use the internet to research how to solve the problem. They design a...
Curated OER
Who Turned the Lights Out?
Learners discover the life cycle of butterfly by observing its growth from egg to caterpillar and the formation of its chrysalis. Students conduct an experiment in which they design housing for the chrysalises which are either in full...
Curated OER
Lotic Environment
High schoolers assemble a classroom river model as an example of a lotic system. They control and measure biotic and abiotic information for the in-class system and compare data with a lotic system in a natural environment.
Curated OER
Seeds and Similarities
Students use the scientific inquiry method to identify the changes in a plant's life cycle. In groups, they plant different types of plants and use a chart to compare and contrast their growth rates. They share their conclusions with...
Curated OER
Examining Infiltration Rates of Various Soil Types
Students formulate their own hypothesis, determine which variables are important to test their hypothesis, design an experiment in which they collect data. They utilize instruments and tools to measure, calculate, and organize data.
Curated OER
Escape! Survival of the Fittest Grasshopper
Fourth graders, in groups, design a paperclip grasshopper. They determine its ability to survive a prey by jumping high, far, or with a distracting behavior.
Curated OER
The Effects of Ultra-Violet Light on Yeast
Students work in small groups collecting and analyzing data as they learn how to best grow yeast. This lesson allows students to conduct several student-created experiments as they continually generate questions and hypotheses. ...
Curated OER
Designing Experiments - Overview
Students explore the concepts that enable them to design and conduct sound scientific experiments. They critique a faulty experiment and become familiar with some of the criteria of a good experiment. They conduct their own experiment.
Curated OER
Steps of the Scientific Method
Steps of the scientific method are summarized, and then an example experiment is presented to allow practice identifying the steps. The graphics and animations are a little blurry, but this otherwise well-formulated presentation will...
IB Psychology
Key Terms Traffic Lights
How much does your class know about psychology? What about empirical evidence? If they could use some time to learn the essentials of psychology, use a quick reference sheet to note what they know before the test, after the unit, and at...
Curated OER
How Do We Use Scientific Inquiry To Solve the World's Problems?
Ninth graders examine how a scientific investigation is performed. They read and discuss examples of various scientific experiments, design an experiment involving fast growing plants, and create graphs and charts to present their...
Curated OER
Bruchid Investigations: Bruchid Development Investigations
While this lesson is based on the Bruchid beetle, the focus is on conducting a scientific investigation. Ecology explorers vary the temperature or the type of leaf that Bruchid eggs are laid on and test for effects on the development...
Curated OER
Schoolyard Bird Project
Middle schoolers observe and count bird sightings around their schoolyard throughout the school year.