Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Darwin's Finches
Try a twist on the old finch beak and chopsticks activity by using M&Ms on a Twister mat. Spoons, knives, forks, and chopsticks represent beaks and are randomly assigned to your little birds, who must collect as much food as possible...
Curated OER
Highs And Lows
Students experiment to examine high and low pressure areas. They investigate why a high pressure area seeks a low pressure area.
Curated OER
Soil Nutrients - Phosphorus Lab Lesson Plan
Students list sources of phosphorus in soil. They explain how phosphorus is removed from the soil and used by plants. Students list the symptoms of insufficient or excess phosphorus. Students perform experiments to examine the effect of...
Curated OER
Alcoholic Fermentation in Yeast
Biology learners investigate the effect of sucrose concentration on yeast alcoholic fermentation. During the lesson,they compare and contrast the processes of cellular respiration and alcoholic fermentation. They design an experiment to...
Curated OER
Where's the Beef - Beef Facts or Hype, Is it Bad for You?
Analyze a Happy Meal™ for nutrient content and calories. Blend the contents into "McMush" and use Biuret's solution to test for protein content. There are a few problems with the lesson plan: the resource links are no longer valid, the...
Curated OER
Turn Up the Volume
Measuring volume can be a mystery for 5th graders, but this hands-on activity gives the gift of discovery. The volume of simple rectangular solids and irregular shapes are calculated through various methods including displacing liquid in...
Curated OER
"pH and the Environment"
Eighth graders experiment and study about acids and bases by becoming involved in direct hands-on learning experiences and then relate those experiences to their own lives. They experience the Ohio River and what can be done to help...
Curated OER
Science Unit Lesson Five
Sixth graders review how and which plants operate in terrariums. In groups, they follow instructions to make their own terrarium and place different types of plants in it. To end the lesson, they review the steps in the water cycle and...
American Chemical Society
Why Does Water Dissolve Salt?
Individuals explore solubility by modeling how water dissolves salts. They then view a video and compare how well water and alcohol dissolve salts, relating their comparisons to the structure of each molecule.
American Chemical Society
Using Chemical Change to Identify an Unknown
If you discover an unknown powder, how do you determine if it is safe? Lesson uses four different tests to identify the properties of various powders that appear the same. Then scholars get an unknown powder and have to determine which...
Curated OER
Simple Harmonic Motion
Students explore the theory of simple harmonic motion (SHM) by performing hands-on, practical application experiments. In this harmonic motion instructional activity, students use strings of various lengths and bobs of different weights...
Curated OER
Determining the Geologic History of Rocks from a Gravel Deposit
Students apply the scientific method to identify rocks from glacial deposits, hypothesize how they got there and then test their hypothesis. They are given the experience of active, hands-on inquiry.
Curated OER
Placebo - 1
Young scholars explore the placebo effect, thus producing the positive effects of acupuncture without needle insertion. Students discuss echolocation. They participate in hands-on/minds-on activities in reflected sound waves. They...
Curated OER
Earth: The Water Planet
Students elicit data on the water cycle, ocean topography, and island formation in this six lesson unit. The ocean floor and the properties of water are examined through a variety of discussions and hands-on experiments.
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Water Cycle
Students participate in a hands-on experience with the water cycle. They experience different parts of the water cycle through experiments and exploring the Internet. They create a poster or model of the water cycle and explain each part...
Curated OER
Animal Life Cycles
Students participate in numerous activities to gather information about parts of the life cycle. In this life science instructional activity, the teacher choose from a number of activities to create or support an interdisciplinary unit...
Curated OER
Remembering the Respiratory System
Sixth graders analyze the components of the respiratory system. In this respiratory system lesson, 6th graders participate in hands on experiments and activities to identify the functions of the major organs of the respiratory system.
Curated OER
Bean Project (Activity in Response to the Book Jack and the Beanstalk)
In this literature and science worksheet, students respond to the book Jack and the Beanstalk by planting their own beanstalk. Students gather the 5 necessary tools and follow the 5 directions for planting a bean seed in a pot.
Curated OER
Heat: Mini Unit
Students experiment with heat. In this physical science lesson, students engage in hands-on activities to develop concepts related to heat. Students offer explanations for their observations using given vocabulary.
Curated OER
It All Began With a Bean
Students explore human anatomy by participating in hands-on activities. In this digestive system lesson plan, students read the book It All Began With a Bean and discuss the process of food digestion in our body. Students utilize soda...
Curated OER
Survival Under a Rock
Students investigate ways that animals adapt to their environments through hands-on activities using isopods and an interactive video.
Curated OER
Eratosthenes
Students examine what Eratosthenes is and the history behind him. In this earth instructional activity students complete a hands on activity to repeat Eratosthenes' experiment.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Why Roots, Stems, and Leaves are Important
Young scholars use the Internet to research the importance of leaves, stems and roots to plants. They participate in a hands-on experiment to identify the functions of different plant parts.
Curated OER
Dig This Dinosaur Relief Lesson
Students create low-fire ceramic relief sculptures of dinosaur bones. They incorporate art history, aesthetics, and criticism with hands on activity. Students work together to draw an enlarged skeleton on butcher paper. The Stegosaurus...