Curated OER
Mice Rule!
Pupils explain what biodiversity is and how adaptive features are maintained in a population. In this biodiversity instructional activity students complete a simple activity involving mouse populations.
Teach Engineering
Service-Based Engineering Design Project
Do some good for the community while learning about engineering. Groups complete a service-based engineering design project over the course of five weeks. The resource provides guidance on how to conduct the project and help pupils get...
Curated OER
Visualizing the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Students discover the differences between global warming and the greenhouse effect through hands-on classroom experiences. They use a 2-D globe and picture cards to identify the causes of both. Students visualize the human influence on...
Curated OER
Investigation 7 - Rubbing Objects Together
Third graders investigate rubbing two objects together to produce heat.
Polar Trec
South Pole Ice Cream!
How can you turn an ice cream activity into a scientific investigation? It's easy if you know ionic compounds, heat transfer, and the exothermic and endothermic process. Learners will explore the science behind freezing, insulation, and...
Curated OER
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining
To understand the impact coal mining has on the environment, pupils will extract chocolate chips from a cookie. Imagine the cookie is the environment and the chips are the coal. Instruct them to mine as many chips as they can, then have...
Exploratorium
The Dipping Bird
If you have or want to order the dipping bird demonstration, it is useful for showing how evaporation and changes in the pressure of a closed system cause cyclical motion. After teaching about pressure, consider setting this little guy...
Curated OER
It Can Be a Shocker!
It's important for young learners to understand how dangerous electricity can be, and how to avoid getting shocked. This learning exercise enlightens them on how to avoid getting shocked, then has them answer Yes or No to eight questions...
California Academy of Science
Climate Change Impacts
Getting kids thinking about climate change now, will hopefully push them into action when they become adults. Young environmentalists discuss the evidence and causes of climate change seen in the state of California. They brainstorm ways...
Curated OER
Metamorphic Sandwiches - - "Bread Rock"
Students graphically show how metamorphic rock is formed by pressure and heat using bread.
Curated OER
Invisible Rays
Students explore physical science by completing a lab assignment. In this sunlight activity, students define a list of scientific vocabulary terms and complete fill in the blank questions. Students conduct a photographic experiment in...
Curated OER
Heat Absorption and Radiation
Learners experiment with the concepts of absorption and reflection of radiant energy.
Curated OER
The Elements
Fifth graders explore the differences between elements. In this elements and atoms lesson students complete an activity that shows how chemicals react to a flame test.
Curated OER
Heat from Light
Second graders explore solar energy. In this science lesson, 2nd graders use hand lenses to see that light energy can be converted to heat energy.
Curated OER
Spark Activity: Snakes and Lizards
Learners are divided into 2 groups: "snakes" and "lizards." Lizards move about the room in a way designated by the teacher, while snakes remain on their "rock" holding a given object and perform a balancing movement. Lizards guess what...
Curated OER
The Effects of Temperature on Solids
Young scholars explore the effects that extreme temperatures have on the material properties of solids. They investigate the properties of a material whose state depends on extreme temperatures and witness how it interacts with room...
Curated OER
The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Learners explain the greenhouse effect. In this global warming instructional activity, students participate in an activity where they experience how greenhouses gases work and how they contribute to global warming. Learners complete a...
Curated OER
Fahrenheit Follies
Second graders analyze the effects of sunlight on a glass of water by using the thermometer to measure its temperature. They predict and measure the difference between water outside in the sun and shade and inside. They role-play a game...
Curated OER
Go with the Flow
Students gain an understanding of the difference between electrical conductors and insulators, and experience recognizing a conductor by its material properties. They build a conductivity tester to determine whether different objects are...
Curated OER
The Sun in Our Lives
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.
Curated OER
TE Lesson: I've Gotta Get Some Air
Students investigate types and sources of indoor air pollutions both at home and in school. They decide on how to prevent poor indoor air quality. They debate smoking in order to determine how language usage can be an influence in...
Curated OER
Sun and Earth
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is. In this solar system lesson plan students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
Curated OER
Meet Meteorology
Students explore meteorology, discuss Earth's atmosphere, create drawings of the water cycle, create meteorology journals, and role play forecasters. Nine lessons on one page; includes unit test.
Teach Engineering
Energy Forms, States and Conversions
Even magicians can't make energy disappear. In a discussion-based activity, young scientists learn about energy forms and conversions. They see how energy is neither created nor destroyed; it just changes forms. This is the 11th...