Curated OER
What Does a Quarter Weigh?
Students study the historical figures and symbols of U.S.
patriotism depicted on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter coins. They
create a balance scale from common materials to measure the approximate weight
of a quarter.
Curated OER
Watercolor Butterfly
Students identify and analyze the anatomy of an insect and create a watercolor butterfly. They identify the three body parts of a butterfly by pointing to them on the butterfly they have created and demonstrate the splatter paint...
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Heat Transfer and Pollution
Students perform computer simulations on air dispersion. In this chemistry lesson plan, students calculate energy transfer based on specific heat and temperature change. They explain the causes of smog.
Curated OER
Earthquake Analysis
Students analyze and plot the coordinates for several recent earthquakes on a world map. They learn not only about research and geology, but about map-making and data analysis. They think of other ways to analyze the data given.
Curated OER
The Aliens are Coming!
Learners create an alien and write a descriptive paragraph about it using all five senses.
Curated OER
Water Quality Monitoring of Natural Water
Students create their own monitoring program for natural water. They collect samples from an appropriate sampling site. They perform chemical and biological analyses of their samples. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
Using the Scientific Method to Determine Which Conditions Best Favor Plant Growth
Seventh graders examine how the environment can affect biological processes. They identify the best conditions for the germination of bean seeds. They record and analyze their data. They write about their observations in an essay.
Curated OER
Mini-Sanitary Landfill
Second graders work in groups to bury a variety of trash items and arrange them in a mini-landfill. They predict which items will biodegrade and then keep records of what the items look like every ten days. Students consider how...
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Causes and Effects of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Tenth graders discuss the techniques and tools scientists use to study about the earth, including techniques used to determine geological time scales. They share their personal experiences of earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Experiment: How acidic is rain in your area?
Students collect water samples from around your home and school, check the pH level of each water sample, and record the pH levels in a chart that looks something like this:
Curated OER
Pollution Prevention At Ft. Riley
Student examine methods of pollution reduction used at Ft. Riley military institution. Students review the economic impact of the use of enviromentally sensitive materials.
Curated OER
And Your Point Is . . .? Part I
Learners, in groups, complete a WebQuest titled "Love Canal Debate". They follow the WebQuest to research and write papers on different points of view regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster.
Curated OER
Your Body's Building Blocks
Learners study the elements of the Periodic Table as they relate to the building blocks of the body. They experiment to measure the amount of iron in the body.
Curated OER
Energeia -- Energy Diary Activity
Students identify the six types of energy. They write journal entries about each type and give examples. They participate in a lab activity in which the different types are examined as well.
Curated OER
Extraction of Allicin: The Active Ingredient in Garlic
Students conduct research to determine the structural formula for Allicin, a component of garlic. They participate in a lab to extract Allicin from garlic and complete a set of questions about their work.
Curated OER
How to Design an Experiment
High schoolers work together to develop and implement an experiment. They investigate the properties of nylon and construct a mobile of organic materials. They share their experiments with the class.
Curated OER
Aortic Stenosis Investigation
Students describe how blood flows through the heart and the anatomy of the aortic valve. They examine the condition of aortic stenosis and create diagrams of the condition in the heart. They complete experiments using the model they...
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Maintain Air Quality
Students are engaged in discussing air quality through hands-on demonstrations using balloons, sealed jars, and toy cars. Students conduct a home radon test to measure their air quality.
Curated OER
Einstein's Big Idea
Students create a time line of scientists involved with E = mc2. They describe experiments that led to an understanding of energy, mass, the speed of light squared, and the equivalence of mass and energy. Students relate challenges...
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How Long? How Tall?
Seventh graders investigate the parts of the human body and examine the symmetry of body parts like arms and legs. They measure the body parts and take individual height and weight to compare the quantities. Student examine whether the...
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What are Quarters Made of?
Students study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins,
especially the quarter. They l research why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to
change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with zinc. In addition, they...
Curated OER
WorldWatcher Activity: Investigating Population and Carbon Emissions
Learners develop a population density visualization chart to begin the lesson. In groups, they use this information to compare to rates of carbon emissions for their country. They identify solutions to the problem and present their...
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Construct with Solids
Students discover which properties of solids lend themselves to building a tower through hands on trial and error and observation of others as they are building. They write down the steps it took them to build the tower and label an...
Curated OER
Laws of Reflection
Students experiment with mirrors to explore the Laws of Reflection. In this experimental lesson students develop their own experiments and follow a list of assigned steps then report what happens in their activity.