Curated OER
Bog Science
Learners study bogs. They tour, collect physical, chemical, and biological data and analyze a pristine bog community. Using the data, they draw a map and a cross section of the bog.
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Learning About Matter And Energy
Students learn about matter and energy. In this science lesson plan, students gain an understanding of the properties of matter and energy as they discover that some things float, some things dissolve in water and discuss that energy can...
Michigan Sea Grant
Survival Game
Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique lesson on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about this aggressive...
Curated OER
What's the Matter with My Snow?
Students collect snow samples around their school. They explore the concepts of density and phase change as well as the math skills of measurement and statistics. Students explore the water cycle through an interactive, down loadable...
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Rocks and Soil
Learners explore the physical properties of rocks. They explore the three different types of rocks and are able to compare and contrast their different properties. Students simulate the creation of sedimentary rock, they also...
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Viscosity of Liquids
Fifth graders discuss the properties and characteristics of different substances. They find the viscosity of each substance while at room temperature, when heated and when cooled. They determine if the viscosity of a substance changes...
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Endothermic and Exothermic Lab
In this endothermic and exothermic reactions worksheet, students experiment with water and a salt of choice to determine if heat is absorbed or released in the reaction. Students take the temperature of their solution over a 2 minute...
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Thunderstorm Outflow I
Students study the characteristics of thunderstorms. They view an animation of radar reflectivity that depicts a thunderstorm and its outflow to locate the thunderstorm's outflow. Afterward, they explain what physical process occurs in a...
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Oobleck, Goop, and Glurch
Sixth graders use teacher prepared samples of substances. They perform the same observations and complete charts for each substance. After recording and analyzing their results, 6th graders make changes in the recipes to create a better...
Curated OER
Oxidation and Salt
Students study the reaction on iron in water, air, and sodium chloride. They create a situation that shows this process and gives them the opportunity to hypothesize what, why, and how. They keep records and do an oral and written ...
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Sumptuous Sprouting Seeds!
Third graders investigate the wonderful and wondrous world of plants. They examine the inside of a seed, explore the different parts of a seed, plant their own seeds, watch them sprout and then eat them! They describe, using their...
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States of Matter
Student explore states of matter. In this science lesson plan, students define matter, identify the states of matter, tell about the properties of each state of matter, and demonstrate an understanding of the difference between a...
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The Tell-Tale Plume
High schoolers examine hydrothermal vents. In this ocean instructional activity, students identify changes in physical and chemical properties of sea water caused by hydrothermal vents.
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The Hudson's Ups and Downs
Fifth graders practice interpreting line graphs of the Hudson River water levels to assess the tides and tidal cycles in the estuary. They explore how weather can affect water levels and tides and observe that high tides and low tides...
Curated OER
Floodplain Modeling
Students simulate the impact of fluctuating river volumes on structures and landforms. They experiment with table top-sized riverbed models and water. Students consider how human design can help mitigate the effects of a flood.
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Climate And the Greenhouse Effect
Students demonstrate the greenhouse effect. They recognize that relatively small changes to our environment can stimulate significant climate changes. They determine that the "scientific method" is a process of testing hypotheses and...
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Junkyard Wars: Wild Watercraft
Students develop a fast travelling hull for a boat. In this physical science lesson plan, the students' hulls will be tested in a channel (built by the teacher) with a fan as the driving force. The students will compete for who has the...
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Have a Ball with Bernoulli II
Third graders explore the work of Daniel Bernoulli through experiment and background information. In this Bernoulli lesson plan, 3rd graders participate in air pressure experiments. Students record their observations of the effects of...
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Powerful Pulleys
Students explore the building of a pyramid and how pulleys were used to change the direction of applied force. They demonstrate the mechanical advantage of using a pulley and apply it to modern engineering.
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Understanding How Potatoes Grow
Second graders make a KWL chart and brainstorm what they need for the project of growing potatoes. They choose one potato and plant it in water or peat moss cups and choose a location in which meets the needs of the plants and make their...
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Characteristics of Matter
Students study matter. In this science lesson plan, students examine the relationships among gravity, weight, and mass, the metric measurement of distance and volume, and density and its application to physical properties.
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Places in My World
Second graders explore where they are located on the globe. In this maps and globes lesson, 2nd graders use a map to show where they live and show the cardinal directions. Students identify characteristics of mountains, flat land,...
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Snack Attack: Food Packaging Activity
Learners design and create packaging material for food. For this snack attack lesson, students design a package to protect a food item from heat and water. Learners consider costs of materials, design, and test the package to see if it...
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Mining Riches
Students research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.