Stanford University
Solstice and Equinox Season Model
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
Curated OER
Sink or Float
Second graders explore floating and sinking and make predictions about whether certain objects are likely to sink or float. They read the story Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. Pupils loacate rhyming words and discuss the events of...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Charting the Progress of New Horizons
In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
University of Colorado
Space Travel Guide
Neptune takes 164.8 Earth years to travel around the sun. In the fifth of 22 lessons, young scientists create a travel guide to a planet in our solar system. They provide tips for others on what to bring, what they see, and their...
Curated OER
Desert Plant Detectives
Students examine and categorize plants in their own schoolyard desert garden and then observe other plant areas of their schoolyard.
Prince William Network
The Incredible Journey
Divide your school gym into breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds so that your zoologists can play a game simulating the seasonal migration of shorebirds. Players pick one of the included game cards and follow its directions, which...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Noodling Around: Powers of Ten
How many noodles long is your classroom? Find out when engineers of all ages explore measurement through the use of pool noodles. With the noodles pre-cut to certain metric lengths, the activities could be used to introduce the metric...
Curated OER
Teaching About Simple Machines
Students identify six different simple machines. They investigate the difference between the ideal and actual mechanical advantage. Students calculate the actual mechanical advantage for several simple machines.
Curated OER
The Hudson's Ups and Downs
Even rivers have tides. Older elementary schoolers will discuss the Hudson River and how weather, water craft, and the ocean cause tidal fluctuation. They will examine a series of line graphs that depict tidal fluctuation, then analyze...
Curated OER
Bones
Fifth graders observe real bones and models to learn about the structure and function of the skeletal system. In this skeletal system activity, 5th graders manipulate objects and models of bones. They handle real bones and determine the...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students investigate how water changes state. In this water lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. This lesson includes extensions which can be accessed via the provided web links.
Curated OER
Separation of a Complex Mixture
Students develop a method to separate different types of mixtures. In this chemistry activity, students model the steps in the scientific method. They perform the experiment and analyze data.
Curated OER
The Differences Between the Earth and the Moon
Fifth graders identify the physical characteristics of the Earth and compare them to the physical characteristics of the moon. They produce a chart with Microsoft Excel to record the physical characteristics of both the Earth and the moon.
Curated OER
Attract or Repel?
Students explain why some objects attract and some do not. For this physics lesson, students investigate the magnetic properties of objects using CEENBoT. They give some important applications of magnets.
Curated OER
Human Anatomy - How Do We Move?
Fifth graders discover how blood moves around the body. In this circulatory system lesson, 5th graders feel their pulse before and after exercise. Students count their heart rate. Students use the scientific method to record their...
Curated OER
The Skeletal System
Students research the skeletal system. In this anatomy lesson, students measure their bodies to find the approximate length of their bones. They draw and cut out each of the bones and then attach them using brads or glue.
Curated OER
Human Anatomy- How Do We Move?
Learners examine the muscular system. In this muscular system lesson, students first draw a realistic representation of their leg or arm bones. Learners do several activities to attach these bones to "joints" with string to simulate the...
Curated OER
Air Engine - Air Races
Students conduct an experiment about air volume, density, and pressure. In this air instructional activity, students discuss air, and how it moves. They make predictions about what will happen during the balloon and string experiment....
Curated OER
Seed Germination
Students germinate a Mung Bean seed. In this seed activity students conduct an experiment germinating a Mung Bean. They apply three different treatments to the seeds: dry, moist, and underwater incubation.
Curated OER
Temperate Forest : Pacific Spirit Field Trip
Students examine nurse logs with hand lenses and identify animals. In this ecosystem lesson, students gain understanding of the rainforest by studying nurse logs. Students become familiar with vocabulary through their study of nurse logs.
Curated OER
Food Webs and Making Miniature Ecosystems
Students model a food web and create a miniature ecosystem. In this animal interactions lesson, students engage in a role playing game which simulates a food web. Students then build miniature ecosystems using pop bottles, snails, plants...
Curated OER
Human Anatomy- How Do We Move?
Students explore the human anatomy. In this respiratory system lesson plan, students conduct an experiment to simulate the capacity of human lungs.
Curated OER
Human Anatomy -- How Do We Move?
Students create a model of the digestive system. In this human anatomy lesson plan the students examine features of the digestive system. The students perform an experiment.