Curated OER
Series or Parallel?
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
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All Ears for Adaptation
Young scholars discuss different characteristics that enable animals to adapt to their environments. They work in pairs with one partner standing about one foot behind the other partner and cup their hands around their ears with palms...
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Dr. Heidegger's Experiment
Examine the idea of perpetual youth and immortality while you read Nathaniel Hawthorne's Dr. Heidegger's Experiment. Some links work to direct your learners to information about the Fountain of Youth. Using this information, scholars...
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How Much Energy is a Kilowatt Hour?
High schoolers study the conservation of energy. In this energy lesson students explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
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Preservation and the Power of Light
Students identify the effect of light on objects. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students use a chart to write a hypothesis about what will happen when colored construction paper is left in sunlight. Students observe and discuss...
Wind Wise Education
What is the Cost of Inefficiency?
What does it cost to keep the lights on? Through a hands-on activity, class members use a watt meter and determine the amount of energy different types of light bulbs use. The class then determines the financial and environmental cost of...
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Flutter Farm
Fifth graders explore the life cycle of butterflies. In this butterfly lesson, 5th graders use their research skills to create a PowerPoint presentation featuring the butterflies of North America.
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Hurricanes!
Students access hurricane reports form the national weather service online, and draw hurricane paths. They discuss how hurricanes form and move. The research should be reported in a comprehensive presentation that can be given to a whole...
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Inside India
What can a Ganesh statue, hand ornament, and print block tell you about India? Introduce your learners to the geography, history, and culture of India by analyzing primary sources and using the well-designed worksheets provided in this...
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Wind Turbines
Students build their own wind turbine. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the power output of their wind turbines. They evaluate their design and make the necessary modifications.
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The Model of Fitness
Pupils measure their physical abilities. In this lesson plan on staying active, students record their physical abilities and try to improve upon their own results.
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Alternative Energy
Students identify the five major alternative energy sources. In this physical science instructional activity, students assess the advantages and disadvantages for each type of energy. They complete a concept map using information they...
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Who Wants To Be A Fitnessaire? Closer
Young scholars enjoy a review game to measure their knowledge about physical activity and the various components of fitness.
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Electromagnitism Applications
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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Ballistic Pendulum Lab
Students determine the muzzle velocity of projectile launcher. In this physics lesson, students compare the pendulum method and kinematic method in calculating the initial velocity. They analyze data and discuss results in class.
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Potato Launcher Energy Lab
Students investigate conservation laws using a potato launcher. In this physics lesson, students measure angles, time and distance of the potato. They discuss applications of experiments like this.
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Telescope #2
Students investigate parabolas as the shape of a telescopic lens. In this Algebra I/Algebra II lesson, students explore the relationship between the coefficients of a quadratic function and the shape and position of the parabolic graph...
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Millennium Home Run Contest
Students study the history of baseball and Babe Ruth. They work on their hitting skills and have a home run contest. They review the cues for successfully hitting a ball off a tee into the air. They get three swings of the bat and...
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Look Mom, No Wings!
Students explain how drag, weight, lift and thrust work together to make something fly. In this physics lesson, students measure their jump height and record data on the table. They reason out why they can't remain airborne for long.
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Solar Kit Lesson #13 Solarize a Toy
Students work in teams they select a low-power toy, game, or electrical deive to "solarize," or convert to solar power. They determine the operating voltage of their chosen device and design a solar array to provide this level of...
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"Finding" Horsepower
Young scholars investigate horsepower as a unit of power. They examine history and discover that scientists and engineers of high achievement are considered to be among the most valued contributors to their culture.
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How Far... How Powerfu
Students work with a real optical spectrum of a gamma ray burst afterglow taken at the Keck Observatory. They measure the shifts of spectral lines, deduce the velocity of the astronomical object, and then use Hubble's Law to get its...
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Greenewables
Learners form expert engineering teams working for the (fictional) alternative energy consulting firm, Greenewables, Inc. Each team specializes in a form of renewable energy used to generate electrical power: passive solar, solar...
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Magnetic Levitation Train
Students use the Internet to discover the physics behind Maglev technology. They examine properties of magnets at Canada's Science and Technology museum. They participate in tutorials in which they can observe how different objects work.