California Academy of Science
Energy: A Day in My Life
If only we could harness the energy of fifth graders, our energy problems would be over! The class discusses where different forms of energy come from and how we use them. They complete a chart of the activities that they do daily that...
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Gingerbread Spacecraft
Students explore the different parts of the Cassini spacecraft. In this space science lesson, students create a model of the spacecraft using food products. They compare and contrast their model with the real one and evaluate its...
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Security System Design
Students explain how laser security systems work. In this security system design lesson students create a presentation of their system that they designed.
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Splitting the Penstock
Students investigate the best way to calculate the measurements of an area. In this geometry instructional activity, students relate a large circle to a cylinder and its measurements. They use PVC pipes to gain hands on experience as...
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Fire Brigade
Students examine how a community works together to protect them from fire. They work together to design a functional tool that could be helpful in fighting fires. They share their tool with the class.
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Top Quark Lab
Young scholars find the mass of the top quark. In this physics lesson, students create a vector diagram from a given set of data. They discuss their calculations and findings in class.
![La Belle Époque [1871-1914]: PPT](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/292406/large/cgrmlwnvbnzlcnqymdeymtewoc0zmdqxni1ncdjpenquanbn.jpg?1414487063 "La Belle Époque [1871-1914]: PPT")
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La Belle Époque [1871-1914]:
Progress through various aspects of the "The Beautiful Era" in this presentation. Political, technological, and scientific contexts surround the time of innovation and change in the world landscape. The short length of this slide show...
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Light Your Way
Students investigate how a simple series circuit functions. They design and construct a working portable flashlight, develop a written plan for the flashlight, test their flashlight for functionality and reliability, and draw the series...
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Integrating Space Science-Ion Propulsion in Deep Space I
In this ion propulsion activity, students read about Deep Space I that uses ion propulsion to power the spacecraft. They learn about ion propulsion and answer three questions about it.
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What is the Best Insulator: Air, Styrofoam, Foil, or Cotton?
Learners investigate the properties of insulators by attempting to keep a cup of water from freezing, and once it is frozen, to keep it from melting. They conduct the experiment, record and analyze the results, and answer discussion...
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Wind Energy
Students explore wind energy by making a pinwheel to model a wind turbine. They experiment with their turbine by placing it in different locations for optimal energy.
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Solid Waste Takes Over
Students explore solid waste and its effects on the environment. They explain some of the major problems caused by waste disposal and the use of landfills. They suggest ways to reduce the amount of solid waste going into a landfill.
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Is That Natural?
Students examine how they use and waste natural resources. They participate in a class discussion about natural resources, in small groups complete a worksheet identifying ways students misuse natural resources, and create an...
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Stop Heat from Escaping
Students explore the uses of insulation and describe how insulation helps to conserve energy. They work in groups and use plastic, wool, paper and aluminum to experiment with the heat-retaining properties of various materials.
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Environment: Wild Wind Direction
Students examine the different types of wind patterns. Using common materials, they construct weather vanes to measure and record wind direction over a two-week period. After analyzing the data, they draw conclusions about the...
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Let the Sun Shine!
Young scholars investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
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Riding the Radio Waves
Learners examine the basic concepts of radio waves and magnetic fields. They study how the AM radios are built and demonstrate the concepts of amplitude and frequency.
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Spin Me a Story
Students examine the motif of spinning and weaving in myths and folktales. They read various myths, complete a WebQuest, develop a mind map of story elements, and write an original "spider" story.
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What Is Energy? Short Demos
Students engage in three short, hands-on, in-class demos which expand students' understand of energy. First, using peanuts and heat, students see how the human body burns food to make energy. Then, they create paper snake mobiles to...
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DC Metrology
In this physics worksheet, students complete 11 short answer questions related to general metrology. They define basic metrological terms.
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Peak, Average, and RMS Measurements
In this voltage worksheet, students answer ten questions about RMS amplitude, DC power sources, AC alternators and the measurements used for voltage in power lines.
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Electromagnetic Pick-up
Students investigate electromagnetic energy. In this magnetism lesson, students will create an electromagnet and test changes with increased energy. They will compete by building the strongest electromagnet.
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Steamship Portland: Where's the Energy?
Learners examine how steamships operate. They describe the necessary energy conversions. They construct a model paddlewheel ship. They use rubber bands as examples of potential and kinetic energy as they unwind and set the models in motion.
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Automobile Vocabulary
In this interactive vocabulary worksheet, students answer 10 multiple choice questions based on their knowledge of car parts and their definitions.