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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magneto-hydrodynamic Drives

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how electric and magnetic fields can be used to force water out of a chamber to move a vehicle forward.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Wind Power

For Teachers All
Students build models of wind turbines and experiment with different designs that will improve efficiency. Students will understand the use of wind power as a renewable resource.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse Gases: The Chemistry Behind the Culprits

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate the effect of different gases in the atmosphere. In this chemistry lesson, 9th graders explain how these gases contribute to global warming. They suggest possible solutions to this growing problem.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Basic Orienteering

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Learners study orienteering. In this science lesson, students study the parts of a compass and use the compass to set a bearing and follow the bearing on the compass.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Get A Charge Out Of Matter?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students observe and demonstrate how objects can be charged positively and negatively and how static electricity works. They observe a teacher-led demonstration, and in small groups rotate through various static electricity activities,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Transformation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify different kinds of energy such as heat energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, and magnetic energy. They investigate the concept of conservation of energy.
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Lesson Plan
PHET

CME Plotting

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young scientists build on their previous knowledge and apply it to coronal mass ejections. By plotting the path of two different coronal mass ejections, they develop an understanding of why most don't collide with Earth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces of Nature: Ring of Fire

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders will research the Ring of Fire and be able to share their findings with their partner. They will also demonstrate volcanic eruptions using a baking soda and vinegar volcano model. Then they will discover how continental...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Oceans of Energy

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Are the earth's oceans really just giant batteries, waiting for their energy to be harnessed? Middle school mechanical engineers will be shocked by the amazing amount of energy that forms around them after diving into part four of a...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Where to See an Aurora

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Where can you see an aurora in North America? After completing an astronomy activity, scholars can locate the exact coordinates. Pupils plot points of the inner and outer ring of the auroral oval and answer questions based on their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnitism Applications

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students experiment on magnets and electricity. In this physics lesson, students determine what factors affect the strength of a magnetic field. They design an experiment to determine how electromagnetic field strength varies with distance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is an Electromagnet?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students give examples of electromagnet applications. In this physics lesson plan, students explore what makes electromagnets work. They experiment picking paper clips with it.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Field of Current

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students determine that moving charges create a magnetic field. They discover that the speed and direction of motion, the amount of charge, and the deflection angle observed are closely linked. A voltmeter, pendulum, and a constructed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish and Clip

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine the magnets.  In this physics activity students complete a lab and worksheet on the numbers of fish. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineral Identification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify minerals from its physical properties accomplished through observation and testing of the minerals involved. They divide into groups and perform the physical property tests listed on the Mineral Background sheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reliability Check of Power Grid

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete a simulation on power grid reliability check. For this physics lesson, students discuss the consequences of power grid failures. They complete a simulation worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Field Mapping in 3D

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics lesson, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Power Blackout Assessment

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss the importance of power grids in power generation. In this physics lesson plan, students explain the impact of power failure. They investigate the power blackout in 2003 and discuss their findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Navigation Across the Seas

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils examine nautical navigation and discover the differences between nautical charts and other types of maps or charts. Students practice setting a course, taking a bearing, and dead reckoning. This gives pupils an example of how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Power using Kirchhoff’s Rules

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders cite real life applications of Kirchhoff's rules. In this physics lesson, 12th graders calculate current, power and voltage using Kirchhoff and Ohm's laws. They explain the different components and uses of transformers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Hounds at Heart

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by iam Steig and practice describing rocks using different physical properties. They make observations and develop and describe categories such as texture, color, density, hardness, etc.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What’s That, I Can’t Hear You?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate forms of energy as well as light and sound. In this science lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to evaluate how sound affects astronauts in flight. A video of this lesson being...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invention of Faraday Cage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers demonstrate how Faraday's cage work by building their own electroscope. In this physics lesson, students explain how Faraday's cage work. They cite several applications of this principle in the real world.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mighty Minerals

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of minerals. They make a list of the uses of minerals found in Illinois. They write a report individually based on their observations.