Curated OER
Out of the Deep
Students observe, describe, and record characteristics of ocean animals (mammals and fish) and sea shells. They conduct an experiment comparing and contrasting sugar water, salt water and fresh water and create a mural of coral reef...
Curated OER
Nothing New? A Physical Change
Fifth graders discuss the differences between chemical and physical changes. In groups, they complete experiments and discover how a physical chnage can be reversed. To end the lesson plan, they review the steps of the water cycle and...
Curated OER
The Weight of Water
Students examine how salt water is more dense than fresh water. They discuss how manatees need to float and sink, conduct a sink or float experiment, and conduct an experiment with eggs and salt and fresh water.
Curated OER
To Be Salty Sea Ice Or Not
Middle schoolers explore what type of solutions freeze. They design their own experiments to compare how fresh water and salt water freezes. In addition, they write their observations in a journal and complete analysis questions.
Curated OER
Changing the Freezing Point of Water with Salt
First graders explore freezing points. For this science lesson plan, 1st graders determine the temperature at which water freezes, understand why salt water freezes at a lower temperature than plain water, and understand why the string...
Curated OER
Sedimentary Rocks
For this sedimentary rocks worksheet, learners conduct an experiment where they observe a shallow dish of water and table salt. Then they determine what causes the salt to leave deposits in the pan. Students also describe sedimentary...
Curated OER
Biodegradability
Students test a variety of plastic bags to test its biodegradability. They record their observations and discuss them once the experiment is complete. They identify materials best suited to be placed in a landfill.
Curated OER
Water Issues on Puerto Rico and Oahu: A Comparison of Two Islands
Fifth graders explore how the tow islands receive and use fresh water. They also address some of the threats to the fresh water supply on each island. Students explore the activity objectives through water cycle models and experiments.
Curated OER
Day Six: Floater What Ifs
Young scholars observe earth science by examining results from an experiment. In this buoyancy lesson, students practice floating different items in two different liquids and identify why certain objects will float and others sink. Young...
Curated OER
Investigating Convection Currents
Students examine how differences in the temperature and salinity of the water help create ocean currents. They perform an experiment which shows how temperature affects the circulation of ocean water.
Curated OER
Did a Chemical Reaction "Really" Occur?
Students perform several different experiments to observe signs of chemical reactions and determine if reaction has occurred, use search engine to find Internet sites pertaining to chemical reactions, and write up brief summary of site.
Curated OER
As a Matter of Fact
Learners rotate through various hands-on experiment stations to explore the concept and properties of different types of matter. They compare some properties of solids, liquids and gases and describe how matter changes from one state to...
Curated OER
Storm Drain Dumping
Students conduct an experiment to show how water gets contaminated through neighborhood runoffs.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis: Intake of Carbon Dioxide - Production of Oxygen
High schoolers, after a long-term observation of photosynthesis with aquatic plants, assess the benefits of photosynthesis towards all living organisms. They explain in their own words the two cycles within photosynthesis. Guided...
Curated OER
science: Light Up the Ocean
learners investigate light levels under the ocean by conducting several simulations. After creating solutions representing seawater, they shine a light sensor on it to discover how light diffuses and is absorbed by the impurities in the...
Curated OER
Ice Energy
Students explore how chemicals change water. In this chemical change lesson, students participate in an experiment to observe how salt effects ice and how ice cream freezes.
Curated OER
Rain Machine (Solar Still)
Young scholars experiment with a solar still. In this distillation lesson, students find a simple way to use evaporation to make salty water drinkable.
Curated OER
Water Quality and Temperature
High schoolers evaluate the effects of temperature changes on the metabolic rate of a clam. Conclusion questions are addressed which help students to process and articulate their experiences.
Curated OER
It's Too Salty!
Students examine water shortage and the process of changing salt water to fresh water. They examine a world map, define key vocabulary terms, conduct experiments involving seeds and salt water and creating distilled water, and illustrate...
Curated OER
Water Properties of the Great Salt Lake
Fourth graders examine the ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake in this two-part lesson plan, completing a KWL chart before and after the field trip to the site. While there, they draw and write about their observations. To test for...
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quantity
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Curated OER
What is an Estuary?
Young scholars define the terms estuary and watershed. They conduct an experiment to determine the density differences between fresh and saltwater. They examine the salinity distribution of the Peconic Bay Estuary.
Curated OER
The Intertidal Zone: Tides and How Creatures Survive
Students study the properties of ocean water and tides and learn about animals that live in intertidal zones. In this intertidal zone lesson, students participate in classroom stations to learn about fresh water and salt water, cold...
Curated OER
Water Density Boundaries
Young scholars create observable layers in water that represent a separation based upon density differences. They model density boundaries using differences in temperature and salinity. They, in groups, perform a meaningful experiment...