Science Matters
Forms of Energy
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first activity in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in...
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Physical Difference and Classification
Students use a microscope and observation skills to compare and contrast several physical properties and develop a classification system.
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Current-Carrying Coils In Magnetic Fields
Students predict the direction of movement for the pointer of a home-made galvanometer for a given current direction and describe how the current-carrying coil exerts a force on the magnet.
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Electromagnetic Radiation
Students explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. For this physics lesson, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
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Electromagnets
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnets. In this physics lesson, students build their own electromagnet and explain how it works. They determine the factors that affect its strength.
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Homopolar Motor Experiments
Young scholars construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. For this physics lesson, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
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Lenz's Law
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnetic induction. In this physics lesson, students apply the right hand rule to determine the current direction and electromotive force. They test Lenz's and Faraday's law by observing...
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Reed Switch
Students build simple electromagnetic reed switch motors. In this physics lesson, students explain how it works. They cite real world applications of reed switches and relays.
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Galvanometers
Students construct their own galvanometer. In this physics lesson, students explain how it is used to detect electric current. They conduct an experiment to measure how much electricity flows through the circuit.
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Teaching Multiple Alleles
Students view a simple ABO blood system for the introduction of this subject using concrete models of eythrocytes (red blood cells, or RBC's), antigens, and antibodies. They can physically see the antigens that result from certain...
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Electric Power Transmission and Distribution
Students explain how power is transmitted over long distances. In this physics activity, students simulate controlling power flow in parallel transmission lines. They discuss several applications of wireless power transmission.
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Electricity Shortage
Students use the Internet to discover what electricity is and how it is made. They examine a site that discusses electricity and magnetism. They discover the ways electricity can be generated.
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Pet Rocks
Students complete a variety of activities related to the physical characteristics of minerals. They classify and group candy, classify rocks and complete a Pet River Rock worksheet. Students try to guess which rock goes with each...
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WiTricity Explained
Learners explain how electricity is transferred from source to load without actual wires connecting the two. In this physics lesson, students explore how wireless electricity was discovered. They cite practical applications of this...
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Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.
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The Power of the Plug: How Electricity Will Change Our Lives... Again
Students study electricity. In this physics instructional activity, students review electrical energy by discussing three ways of generating it. Students explore various energy sources used for creating electricity and examine how...
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Cardiovascular Disease and Fitness: Exploring the Rhythm of Your Pulse
Students explore several examples of cardiovascular diseases. In this anatomy lesson plan, students explain why physical fitness is very important. They count their pulse rate and record them on a data table.
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Electromagnets: Winding Things Up!
Students explore solenoids and electromagnets. After building an electromagnet, students use a TI Graphing calculator, a CBL 2 interface and a magnetic field sensor to measure the strength of a magnetic field. They create a graph of...
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A Model of the Sea-floor
Students create a paper model to illustrate sea-floor spreading.
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Wind Power
What a wonderful way to explore wind power! Through this lesson plan, learners get a background in the history of wind power, create their own wind turbine, and the test their designs. This is a terrific way to tie scientific principles...
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Water and Ice
Students examine the relationship between water and ice. In this physics lesson, students read the book Amazing Water and participate in an experiment where they freeze water into ice cubes. Students observe the changes in the water when...
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Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.
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Coulomb's Law
Students solve problems involving electric charges and force. In this physics lesson, student solve word problems using addition and subtraction of vectors. They identify the direction represented by a vector as it relates to an electric...
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Toilet Plunger Sundial
Students build a sundial to measure the local noon time. In this third grade science lesson, students build a sundial out of common materials and align to measure the local noon. This lesson is a hands-on tracking of the sun, and allows...