California Academy of Science
Human Evolution
As the great and hilarious Tim Minchin once said, "Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organizing our curiosity." Science is more than just a guess; it is based on questions, observations, and evidence. High...
NTTI
Line 'Em Up!
Coordinate planes and Cartesian graphing systems are the focus of this math lesson. Learners use video, internet activities, and engage in hands-on activities in order to explore coordinate planes. The materials needed for this lesson...
Curated OER
Scatter-Brained
Seventh graders graph ordered pairs on a coordinate plane. They create a scatterplot. Additionally, they determine the line of best fit and investigate the slope of the line. Multiple resources are provided. An excellent resource!
Curated OER
Data Analysis Using Technology
Analyze data using technology. Middle schoolers design data investigations, describe data, and draw their own conclusions. Then they select the best type of graph, graph and interpret the data, and look for patterns in trends. They also...
Curated OER
Inquiry Lesson About Color
Students investigate the color choices artists make in their work, and to practice the scientific process of predicting, observing, inferring, and interpreting. This activity's purpose is to prepare students for a museum visit.
Curated OER
What Happens on Average
Fifth graders are introduced to convergence of sequences based on averaging previous terms in the sequence. The power of the "fill-down" function in spreadsheets is exploited. By using various starting numbers, and inferring the limit,...
Curated OER
Weather Instruments
Students research weather instruments. In this weather instructional activity, students use the Global Climate DVD and take notes on weather instruments. Students answer multiple choice questions on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Using 3-D Models for Code Validation with FoilSim
Students use FoilSim to complete the activity to create tables of data sets comparing the lift values for a 3-D model of a symmetrical wing section to the values predicted by the FoilSim software.
Curated OER
Fertilizer Frenzy
Pupils design and conduct an experiment testing the effect of fertilizers/soaps on algal growth. They estimate and predict, identify the variables, formulate a hypothesis, and record and analyze the data, presenting their findings in a...
Curated OER
Wind Turbines
Students build their own wind turbine. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the power output of their wind turbines. They evaluate their design and make the necessary modifications.
Curated OER
Clouds as Art: Torn Paper Landscape
Students create a torn paper landscape and use it to study clouds. In this cloud study and art lesson, students make a background art image from torn paper. Students create a torn paper landscape and use cotton balls to illustrate...
Curated OER
Busted Bubbles
Using the scientific method, and bubble gum, learners conduct a motivating experiment. After conducting a series of tests involving bubble gum, they graph and analyze their results. This is the type of activity everyone loves.
American Statistical Association
Exploring Geometric Probabilities with Buffon’s Coin Problem
Scholars create and perform experiments attempting to answer Buffon's Coin problem. They discover the relationships between geometry and probability, empirical and theoretical probabilities, and area of a circle and square.
Shodor Education Foundation
Playing with Probability
Review basic probability concepts with your class using different-colored marbles in a bag. Then pair up learners and have them play a cool online interactive game in which they race miniature cars using the roll of a die or two. The...
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #1 - Solar Cell Inquiry
Give youngsters the components of a solar-powered electric circuit and turn them loose to figure out how to connect them in order for a light to shine or motor to turn. They compare energy output of a solar panel to that of a battery. On...
Kenan Fellows
Using Water Chemistry as an Indicator of Stream Health
Will this water source support life? Small groups test the chemistry of the water drawn from two different sources. They then compare the collected data to acceptable levels to draw conclusions about the health of the source. The...
Kenan Fellows
Effects of a Golf Course on Stream Health
Is the golf course causing issues in the stream? Find out with a resource that has groups perform chemical water tests to analyze the effects of a golf course on a stream. Pupils collect water above and below the course and analyze the...
University of Colorado
The Moons of Jupiter
Can you name the three planets with rings in our solar system? Everyone knows Saturn, many know Uranus, but most people are surprised to learn that Jupiter also has a ring. The third in a series of six teaches pupils what is around...
Curated OER
Personal Observations
Pupils determine the appropriate clothing for warm and cold weather. In this weather and clothing lesson, students draw and describe appropriate clothing for cold and warm weather.
National Security Agency
Sampling for a Rock Concert
Over the course of three class periods, middle schoolers design an experiment to provide learner input to administration about which rock band to invite to play at school. They practice several random sampling exercises, all well...
Curated OER
Forces and Motion
Fourth graders study straight line motion and the forces that affect motion, including the terms force, gravity, and speed. They determine that gravity, weight, and other forces have an effect on speed and motion.
Curated OER
Fire!, Probability, and Chaos
Upper elementary and middle schoolers work with the concept of probability. They are introduced to the concept of chaos. Learners graph and analyze using a line plot, work with mean, and are introduced to the concept of variance.
Curated OER
Data
Students collect data from an experiment they perform. In this data lesson, students use multiple representations to solve practical problems; describe advantages and disadvantages of the use of each representation. Then, they evaluate...