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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflection and Absorption of Light

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students use a microcomputer connected to a light sensor and temperature probe to explore the reflection and absorption of radiation for different surfaces. Students follow instructions in this guided inquiry based lab and are then asked...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harnessing Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the properties of light from the sun. In groups, they participate in experiments with solar collectors, cookers and calculators to determine which one harnesses the most energy. They record their observations and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S’Mores

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners use the energy of the sun to make s'mores. In this solar energy lesson, students gather the listed materials and follow the procedures to find out if they can make s'mores using solar energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compact Fluorescent Lamp Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars conduct a series of experiment on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. In this physics lesson, students explain how they operate. They compare the efficiency and power rating of both bulbs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

As the Sun Burns

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the sun's energy. They explore various websites, demonstrate proper solar protection, conduct experiments using special UV beads, and complete worksheets.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Potato Power

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners light a LED clock or light bulb using potatoes. They examine how a battery works in a simple circuit. They determine how chemical energy changes to electrical energy while experimenting with potato powered circuits.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Studying Photosynthesis

For Students 6th - 12th
In this photosynthesis worksheet, students conduct an experiment to show the making of starch in a plant's leaves during photosynthesis. Students complete 2 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running on Renewables

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate the costs and benefits of switching their school to sustainable technology energy production. They use software called HOMER developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab to do the cost/ benefit analysis. They then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooking with the Sun!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker lesson, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Young scholars complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day In My Life

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students brainstorm how they can conserve energy in their daily lives. In this energy lesson plan, students discuss how they use energy and ways to conserve it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rechargeable Batteries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

IPC Physics Vocabulary Review

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this physics review worksheet, students review vocabulary words associated with speed, acceleration, Newton's Laws and simple machines, work and energy, magnetism, electricity, and harmonic motion and light. This worksheet has 92...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where the Buffalo Roam

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students lear about energy, energy efficiency and consumption. They measure energy use, graph the date, write a letter then design and present a PowerPoint on the topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Managing Heat

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders perform various experiments to show the flow of energy that causes heat. In this heat lesson, 3rd graders understand how heat is transferred or trapped. Students use the scientific method and critical thinking skills to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventions- The Impact

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students discuss the impact of certain inventions. In this technology lesson, students research Thomas Edison and the light bulb on the Internet and discuss how the invention impacted society. Students create their own simple inventions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Calories

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate what a calorie is and how and why we measure them. They conduct an experiment to compare the calories of a peanut and a mini-marshmallow, and explain and discuss how calories are directly related to the amount of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Things That Glow: From Fireflies to Quantum Dots

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe light energy. In this heat and energy lesson, 3rd graders will study the concept of light as a form of energy. Students will examine the different forms of light and the type of energy it produces.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let There Be Light

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students observe that different lights have different effects on matter. Students see that ultraviolet light is powerful although it cannot be seen through this teacher led demo-experiment.
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Lesson Plan
Messenger Education

My Angle on Cooling—Effect of Distance and Inclination

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
When exploring Mars, spacecrafts are exposed to 5-11 times more sunlight than when near Earth. Groups of pupils complete a hands-on activity to explore how distance and angle of the sun affect temperature. Through discussions, they then...
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Activity
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IOP Institute of Physics

Physics in Concert

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and electricity, young...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Climate Zones

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
The climate at the equator is hotter than the climate at the poles, but why? The lesson goes in depth, explaining how the angles of illumination relate to the heating rate at different latitudes and seasons. Scholars use a strong lamp,...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Building a Piezoelectric Generator

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In pairs, learners build a piezoelectric generator from readily available electric components in the second and final installment of the two-part series. Tapping the piezoelectric element produces enough electricity to light an LED....
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Day and Night in the World

For Students 1st - 5th
How do different parts of the world experience day and night? Introduce scholars to the concept of global citizenship while teaching about animal behavior with discussion of nocturnal and diurnal animals. Then, learners complete...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Ramp and Review (for High School)

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Rolling for momentum. As part of a study of mechanical energy, momentum, and friction, class members experiment rolling a ball down an incline and having it collide with a cup. Groups take multiple measurements and perform several...