American Chemical Society
Developing Tests to Distinguish Between Similar-Looking Liquids
Each group talks about how to test unknown liquids based on their findings in the previous experiment. In this second of four activities, they test unknowns on wax paper, newspaper, and construction paper. As a stand-alone, this lesson...
Concord Consortium
Concentrating Charge and Electric Fields
How did Rutherford determine that the nucleus was the center of an atom? Take a look inside the famous Gold Foil Experiment with an interesting interactive. Learners fire a beam of alpha particles at a nucleus containing variable...
Curated OER
Scientific Method Study Guide
In this scientific method worksheet, students answer questions about the various steps of the scientific method. They distinguish between the variables in an experiment and between a hypothesis and a theory.
Curated OER
Science: Wind Power
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.
Curated OER
Riding on a Pendulum
A comprehensive resource gets fourth grade physical scientists making observations about the period of a pendulum and then applying knowledge to a playground swing. Through seven different stations, they will record observations and...
Towson University
Looking Into Lactase: Guided Inquiry
Milk does a body good ... unless, of course, someone is lactose intolerant. Pupils play the role of pharmaceutical scientists in a guided inquiry lab about lactase. Lab groups collaborate to learn more about lactose intolerance, how...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How is Flowing Water an Energy Source? Activity A
Here is a fun little exploration of the potential energy potential of falling water. Learners drop water from various heights using a straw, and they analyze the diameter of the splash. Pair this with two more activities of the same...
National Wildlife Federation
Get Your Techno On
Desert regions are hotter for multiple reasons; the lack of vegetation causes the sun's heat to go straight into the surface and the lack of moisture means none of the heat is being transferred into evaporation. This concept, and other...
American Chemical Society
Why Does Water Dissolve Salt?
Individuals explore solubility by modeling how water dissolves salts. They then view a video and compare how well water and alcohol dissolve salts, relating their comparisons to the structure of each molecule.
Science 4 Inquiry
Journey Through the Spheres of the Earth
Each of the Earth's spheres interacts with the other spheres in predictable ways. Young scientists explore these interactions through a hands-on activity, graphing, and watching a video. They summarize their knowledge in a video or...
American Chemical Society
Using Chemical Change to Identify an Unknown
If you discover an unknown powder, how do you determine if it is safe? Lesson uses four different tests to identify the properties of various powders that appear the same. Then scholars get an unknown powder and have to determine which...
Curated OER
TIMS, The Bouncing Ball: Math, Science, Measurement, Graphs, Variables
Students determine the exact relationship between the height from which a ball is dropped and the distance that it rebounds.
Curated OER
Variables
Students watch a video show how to identify the independent variable, dependent variable and controls in an experiment; and design experiments that use controls to isolate a single independent variable and measure the resulting dependent...
Curated OER
Experimenting with Motion
Learners study motion and how different variables can change the outcome. In this motion lesson students answer questions about their experiment and see what the different variables did.
Curated OER
Experiments
In this experiments worksheet, students determine the weight and mass of different objects. Students review variables in an experiment. This worksheet has 8 short answer questions and 11 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Interpreting Data-Working with Controls and Variables
Students review the meaning of control and variables, and state difference between dependent and independent variables. They complete a worksheet with the definitions and complete problems that show their understanding.
Curated OER
Classroom Science Fair Project
Students explore the skills and information needed to complete a science fair project. They follow guidelines to create an document their science fair project.
Curated OER
Life Science: My Pyramid
Students examine how the school food program compares to the food pyramid recommendations. In this food pyramid activity, students compile data regarding the food choices available in the school through the lunch program and vending...
Curated OER
Sounds Like Science- Bottle Organ
Students investigate the relationship between pitches and notes. For this musical pitches and notes lesson, students use different sized bottles, water, and sugar to demonstrate different sounds. Students create musical notes.
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.
Teach Engineering
Better By Design
Which modification is the best? Using the scientific method, pairs determine the effects of each control surface on the distance of a glider's flight. The activity, section 16 in a 22-part unit on aviation, allows pupils to gain a better...
Teach Engineering
Corn for Fuel?!
Can corn power the world? Young scientists learn about how corn and other plants can provide renewable biofuels in the second of nine lessons. They set up an experiment to investigate how different variables affect plant growth. All of...
Teach Engineering
Things That Matter to Flocculants
How does the dirt get out of your drinking water? A hands-on activity introduces the use of flocculants to help clear solid particles out of water. The plan walks learners through the process of setting up an experiment that...
Curated OER
The Mulch Mystery!
Fourth graders make a detailed observations about non-native and native grasses. They define reasonable policies that they expect to follow while working in the CRWA. Students list, in small groups, two treatments that have been used in...