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Seeing in 3D: Interpreting Two-Dimensional Diagrams of Three-Dimensional Objects
Students hone in on their skills at reading diagrams. In this dimensional lesson students collect information on the functions of organs then figure out how all the parts work together.
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Physical and Chemical Changes - Making Toffee
Fourth graders make toffee to observe both physical and chemical changes. They determine what types of changes that are caused by the cooking process and which are chemical, and which are physical. In order to do this they follow a...
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Discovering the Physical Geography of Washington
Pupils develop a mental map of the state of Washington and draw it on paper. Using the Virtual Atlas, they identify the physical features of the state and draw them on their map. They also examine the populations and diversity of the...
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Ethics in the Science Laboratory
Students consider the role of ethics in science lab procedures. In this ethics instructional activity, students explore a scenario that requires them to record their reactions to the case and the conduct of students in the case who alter...
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Pooper Scooper
Science Students build a pooper scooper tool that helps them clean up after a dog without getting their hands dirty or their noses too close. They research the diseases that can be transported through animal waste and work in teams to...
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Into the Wilderness: Habitat vs. Development
By studying the once-assumed extinction, then rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, learners look at the physical changes that have occured in habitats throughout Arkansas. This outstanding lesson is chock full of terrific...
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Energy Jeopardy
While science Jeopardy games are a dime-a-dozen, this one has some pretty unique categories that are still relevant to a middle school physical science curriculum. The topics include: leading nations, famous Americans (who invented...
Journey Through the Universe
The Voyage Scale Model Solar System
Young scientists learn how to select a scale factor for a large scale model. Then they figure the scale for each of the planets and the distance between them. Finally, they construct a giant scale model of the solar system and answer...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
A Tale of Two Houses
Does it cost more per year to heat Bill's home in North Dakota or to cool Bubba's home in Georgia? Using heat transfer concepts, mathematical equations, and critical thinking skills, young engineers work in groups to determine who is...
Curated OER
Pet Rescue
Learners, in teams, follow the process of design, including the stages of investigation, creation, and reflection, as they devise a way to help "save" a (simulated) pet who is trapped in a pipe.
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Design a Butterfly
Students access prior knowledge of butterflies. In this butterfly lesson, students create butterflies and compare and contrast their butterflies. Students describe the various body parts.
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The Physics of the Planets: How 16th and 17th Century Physicist Helped Us Understand Our Solar System
Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.
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Science: Motion Commotion
Learners examine Newton's three laws of motion to discover what causes it and how it changes. They conduct motion experiments by building catapults and constructing balloon rockets. Finally, they conduct peer studies correlating...
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Farming in the 1930's
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
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"Measurement in Motion"
Ninth graders examine the rate of motion and changes in motion using a ramp and a rolling object. They conduct the demonstration, determine the average speed, and describe how a moving object can have zero acceleration and deceleration.
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TE Activity: You're in Hot Water
Students study different ways of using solar energy. They design a solar water heater and determine how much water it can heat in a set amount of time. They examine how the heaters work by solar radiation and convection.
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The Science of Sleep and Daily Rhythms: Sleeping in Space
Students write about strange places that they have slept. For this sleep science lesson students read about astronauts sleeping experience in space. They reflect on unusual places that they have slept and write about it.
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Interdisciplinary Applications of Chemistry Through Engineering in Modern Medicine
Students explore the different techniques used in forensic science. In this chemistry activity, students investigate a fictional crime and identify the culprit. They create a brochure or collage career bulletin.
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Dust in the Wind; Chemicals in the Water
Students explore mechanical and chemical weathering at stations. They articulate some mechanisms of chemical and mechanical weathering through exploration in a lab. Students stations describe how chemical weathering differs from...
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Physics: Bounce - Projectile Motion and Collisions
Students conduct and observe experiments in Newtonian mechanics, kinematics, and projectile motion. They analyze the motion of a ball rolling off a table, falling, and then bouncing. Students answer a series of questions analyzing the...
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We Are All In This Together
Students complete a variety of activities centering around insects. In this insects education lesson, students read People by Peter Spier and discuss the similarities and differences among people. Students gather and explore materials...
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Energy All Around: Energy in Our Lives
Students identify the different sources of energy. In this energy lesson, students list different machines and identify the type of energy used to operate them. They create a diagram of a wind turbine and label its parts.
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Fitness plan: number 3
Students monitor their fitness levels for six weeks of their P.E. course through the use of an Excel spreadsheet. They also research the obesity epidemic among youth in the U.S. today, presenting their findings to the class. This lesson...
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Balancing The Day Away In Grade 2
Second graders sped the day exploring about balance by playing with and making balancing toys. They discover how varying the amount and position of mass affects the toys' balance. Pupils explore gravity and balance while playing with the...