Curated OER
Properties and Behavior of Waves
Young scholars explore the different properties of waves. In this physics lesson, students differentiate mechanical and electromagnetic waves. They explore each lab station and write their observation about the wave behavior they see.
Curated OER
People of the Cassini Team
Learners discuss the job qualifications of a team member for a space mission. In this space science lesson, students select a mentor from the Cassini team members and explain the reason for their selection. They assess the importance of...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Monster Mash
Young scientists create monsters by applying their knowledge of transcription and translation. They randomly find the DNA, assign it a codon, and build monsters piece by piece.
Curated OER
Using Java Applets for Inquiry-Based Physics Lessons
Using Java Applets in the physics classroom can be a great way to reinforce scientific concepts.
Curated OER
Plant Life Cycle Activities and Lesson Plans
Curb spring fever by bringing some of the great outdoors into your classroom with plant life cycle activities.
Curated OER
Hello Summer
Students celebrate the great outdoors and the coming summer break by studying the natural world. In this seasons instructional activity, students engage in bark rubbing and operate a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery for a...
Curated OER
Non-Compressibility of Water
Students will observe a property of water. For this inquiry-based properties of air lesson, students observe how a change in water pressure impacts the positioning of an eye-dropper in the water container and they make hypotheses about...
Curated OER
Fun Activities Using Seeds
Students analyze the size, shape, and form of several different seeds. In this all about seeds lesson plan, students complete four activities involving characteristics of seeds. Students observe the seeds, record information about the...
Curated OER
Seed Germination
Students explore the process of seed germination. In this botany lesson, students complete an experiment with seeds. Students observe soaked and dry seeds. Students allow the seeds to germinate and make observations during this time....
Curated OER
Bubble Festival
Young scholars practice scientific inquiry while learning about bubbles. In this lesson about bubbles, students explore characteristics of bubbles. Young scholars move through nine different "bubble" stations following directions and...
Curated OER
You Can Die Here – Death Valley California
Students use Google Maps to explore the rain shadow desert. In this climate lesson, students use the Internet, Google Maps, and directed inquiry worksheets to understand how rain shadow deserts form. Students apply climate concepts to...
Curated OER
Activity: Float a Clay Boat
Written to introduce pupils to buoyancy, this activity has collaborative groups work to design a floatable clay boat. They first observe that a stick of clay sinks in water and then are given their own stick to reshape into a floating...
NASA
Tools to Study Tornadoes and Galaxies
Take your class on an intergalactic journey as they explore the galaxy and various meteorological events taking place in our atmosphere each day. Learners investigate electromagnetic waves and the Doppler Effect before gathering radar...
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
There are more than 600,000 asteroids in our solar system. Pupils analyze images of two asteroids in order to determine if they are the same age. They count craters for each asteroid and compare numbers.
NASA
Supernova Chemistry
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
Curated OER
The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment
Learners develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish. In this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment.
NASA
Discovering Some of Your “Yardsticks” Are Actually “Meter-sticks”
The Milky Way gets great reviews on Trip Advisor — 100 million stars. The activity allows scholars to rethink their assumptions and prior knowledge. Pupils observe a set of two lights at equal distance and brightness, but they believe...
NASA
The Evidence is “Clear”!
Do you think you know better? Become a scientist and prove it. Scholars review the evidence for two different theories of the origins of the universe. They notice the empirical observations as well as the inferences to determine which is...
Curated OER
Exploring Big Bang Evidence
Ninth graders study the Big Bang theory. In this big bang theory lesson students research the Internet and complete several activities and create a presentation.
Curated OER
Measure for Measure: Time & Temperature
Students examine scientific inquiry. In this time and temperature lesson plan students create a template to solve scientific problems and work through a science problem.
Polar Trec
Down to the Deep Virtual Lab
At a depth of 3,000 m in the ocean, the pressure is 300 times that at sea level! In the activity, individuals predict what will happen to Styrofoam cups submerged 3,000 meters into the ocean. They then convert these units to soccer...
Curated OER
Hey, I've Got A Question!
Seventh graders explore the Solar System. They develop a research question and use inquiry-based research skills to find the answers to their questions. Students write up their findings and create a multimedia presentation.
Curated OER
What Do Parts Do?
Students review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they identify and describe the components and functions of all of the parts of a plant. Using a diagram, they label the parts of the plant chosen and share...
Curated OER
Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. In this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.