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Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Water/Ways: The Poetry of Science

For Teachers 1st - 12th Standards
Water is the source of life. It appears in poetry in both peaceful and torrential descriptions; it appears in earth science in its liquid, gaseous, and solid states. Combine these interpretations of our planet's most precious and...
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Interactive
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Higher Cells Incorporate an Ancient Chromosome

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Chromosomes contain keys to history including links from royalty to Neanderthals. Young scientists learn about Ivan Wallin's research into chromosomes with an animation and videos. Then, the concept connects to mysteries related to...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Investigating the Atmosphere - Air Takes Up Space

For Students 1st - 5th
How do you know there is air? Can you see it, smell it, feel it? To begin the investigation, learners watch a video and discuss what they know about air and the atmosphere. Then, they participate in five different hands-on, inquiry-based...
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eBook
Rice University

Algebra and Trigonometry

For Students 10th - Higher Ed Standards
Move on into trigonometry. An informative eBook takes the content of a College Algebra course and adds more relating to trigonometry and trigonometric functions. The content organization allows pupils to build upon their learning by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of the Pencil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research and write about the pencil. They organize the research using concept maps and write an essay using the writing process.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fitness

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice exercise.  In this physical fitness instructional activity, 3rd graders participate in a variety of activities at fitness stations.  Students run laps, jump rope, perform chin-ups, sit-ups, etc. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Power using Kirchhoff’s Rules

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders cite real life applications of Kirchhoff's rules. In this physics lesson, 12th graders calculate current, power and voltage using Kirchhoff and Ohm's laws. They explain the different components and uses of transformers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War II Holocaust Introduction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of identity by categorizing themselves based on physical characteristics.  In this Holocaust lesson, students discuss the differences between their classmates and separate each other based on petty physical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports and Exercise Activity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders practice utilizing motor skills by participating in different sports activities.  In this physical education lesson, 8th graders participate in racquetball, shuttle cock, and baseball style activities in order to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lenses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the different uses of lenses. In this physics lesson, students compare lenses with different magnifications. They record data and discuss results in class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Morphology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze images of five different soil types from various locations and discuss how climate, vegetation, parent material, topography, and time can contribute to soil characteristics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diet and Exercise Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore their physical abilities by participating in team sports.  In this physical education lesson, students collaborate in groups in one of several team sports before moving on to the next station.  Students discuss healthy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Rub? It's All About Friction!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the coefficient of friction for different surfaces. In this physics lesson, students identify the factors that affect friction. They collect data and write a formal lab report.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ping Pong Soccer

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders demonstrate basic soccer concepts using hand-eye coordination and a paddle and a ping pong ball. In small groups, they play a traditional game of soccer, but with each student using a ping-pong paddle with the object...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Experiments with Photovoltaic Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. In this series of physics lesson, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their different uses in other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coordination and Flexibility

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students practice controlling their motion and reflexes by participating in different motor skill activities.  In this physical education lesson, students utilize bean bags and hula hoops to help create flexibility and coordination in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Laws of Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners investigate the effect of thin films to surface friction. In this physics lesson, students calculate the coefficient of friction using mathematical formulas. They discuss its importance in their everyday lives.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mass vs. Weight

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore physical science by conducting a measurement experiment. In this mass lesson, students identify the differences between mass and weight and define a list of other vocabulary terms. Students utilize electronic scales and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Steps to Fitness (with pedometers)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students evaluate the fitness potential of different activities using pedometers in game/play/exercise situations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature and Characteristics of Waves

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research different types of waves, identify the parts of a wave and create a Power Point presentation demonstrating what they have learned.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balancing Chemical Equations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explain how atoms and molecules form different substances during chemical reactions and how these processes require losing, gaining or sharing electrons. They correctly write chemical formulas and show how a balanced...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Educational Gymnastics/Balancing/Stunts

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners participate in gymnastics stunts, using different parts of their body to balance.They work cooperatively with their partners on gymnastics mats to complete balancing activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geographical Distance Skating

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students get a cardiovascular workout while applying geographical concepts and processes by keeping track of mileage traveled from location to location until reaching the state capital.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is It There?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students participate in a lesson designed to illustrate these concepts using simple materials. They use Science process skills to observe, measure, predict, make inferences, and communicate while completing the activity. Proper safety...