Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: As a "Matter" of Fact
In this lesson plan site, students will define matter and compare properties of solids, liquids and gases.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Soap Powered Boat Experiment
Examine surface tension by floating an index card that has been cut into a boat shape on water, then dropping liquid soap near the "engine" section of the index card.
Museum of Science
The Atom's Family: Phases of Matter
Help the Phantom choose a material and observe the changes at different temperatures in the molecule chamber. What happens to the elements or molecules as the temperature changes?
Chem Tutor
Chem Tutor: States of Matter
A very descriptive site that allows students to understand the different states of matter at the atomic level. Also discusses the process of phase changes and displays phase change graphs. Thermochemistry is also touched upon for high...
New York University
Nyu: Math Mol: Motion of Molecules
Examine the link between molecular motion and energy. Observe the movement of a molecule at room temperature. Learn about the different types of molecular motion.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Physical and Chemical Changes
This lesson plan focuses on the difference between physical and chemical changes of matter.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Many Drops?
In this lesson and its associated activity, students conduct a simple test to determine how many drops of each of three liquids can be placed on a penny before spilling over. The three liquids are water, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Students as Scientists
This curricular unit contains two lessons that let students actually do the work of scientists as they design their own experiments to answer questions they generate. In the first lesson and its associated activity, students conduct a...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Measuring Lava Flow
Students learn how volume, viscosity and slope are factors that affect the surface area that lava covers. Using clear transparency grids and liquid soap, students conduct experiments, make measurements and collect data. They also...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fluid Power Basics
Students learn about the basic fundamental concepts regarding fluid power, which includes both pneumatic, which utilize gas, and hydraulic, which utilize liquid, systems. Both systems contain four basic components: a reservoir, a pump or...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: University of Colorado: States of Matter: Basics
An interactive simulation will heat, cool and compress atoms and molecules. Watch as they change between solid, liquid and gas phases. Recognize that different substances have different properties which will affect the temperatures for...
Climate Literacy
Clean: What Happens to Ice in Water?
Students investigate the properties of water in the ice and liquid phase as it relates to convection in the ocean and density driven circulation, and ultimately the climate.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Concentrate This! Sugar or Salt
Students investigate the property dependence between concentrations and boiling point. First, they investigate the boiling point of various liquid solutions. Then they analyze data collected from the entire class to generate two boiling...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Concentrate This! Sugar or Salt
Students investigate the property dependence between concentrations and boiling point. In Section 1, students first investigate the boiling point of various liquid solutions. In Section 2 they analyze data collected from the entire class...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: To Heat or Not to Heat?
Students are introduced to various types of energy with a focus on thermal energy and types of heat transfer as they are challenged to design a better travel thermos that is cost efficient, aesthetically pleasing and meets the design...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Surface Tension
Surface tension accounts for many of the interesting properties we associate with water. By learning about surface tension and adhesive forces, students learn why liquid jets of water break into droplets rather than staying in a...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Floaters and Sinkers
This lesson introduces students to the important concept of density. The focus is on the more easily understood densities of solids, but students can also explore the densities of liquids and gases. Students devise methods to determine...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Density & Miscibility
After students conduct the two associated activities, Density Column Lab - Parts 1 and 2, present this lesson to provide them with an understanding of why the density column's oil, water and syrup layers do not mix and how the concepts...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Three States of Matter
Teachers can find an interactive lesson plan for introducing the three states of matter to the early elementary student using items that they are familiar with. This also includes gathering data and filling in a table, an important part...
Other
Lunar and Planetary Institute: Explore! Ice Worlds
Features a collection of hands-on activities, investigations, and explorations designed to engage students in learning about ice, both in the solar system and on planet Earth.
Carnegie Mellon University
Chem Collective: Brownian Motion
Particulate level simulations that show only solute particles are convenient, since they focus student attention on the molecules of most interest. However, such solute molecules move in a Brownian manner. This simulation helps students...
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Changing State: Condensation
Students investigate water cycle processes by testing how cooling affects the rate of condensation of water vapor.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Wet Pennies
Students conduct a simple test to determine how many drops of each of three liquids can be placed on a penny before spilling over. The three liquids are water, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil; because of their different surface...