Curated OER
Threats to Validity
Students review the components of the scientific habits of mind. In groups, they use this information and relate it to scientific investigations. They develop strategies to evaluate information and evidence and how to question sources...
Curated OER
The Wheels on the Bot Go Round and Round, Part I
Students determine how speed is measured. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to find out if the robot's drive wheel size affects its speed. They collect data and discuss results.
Curated OER
Sugar and carbohydrates, protein, fat and water - that's what little plants are made of!
Students identify photosynthesis as the mechanism by which plants convert sunlight energy into a usable energy source for plant processes. They identify photosynthesis as the mechanism by which plants create a molecule that can be used...
Curated OER
HOW IS PH DETERMINED?
Students estimate the pH based on the use of an unknown substance, determine whether an unknown substance is acid, base or neutral, and evaluate, by the pH determination, which of the unknowns is the strongest acid or base.
Curated OER
Shining the Light on Skin
Students investigate the relationships between certain environmental factors and levels of exposure to sunlight. The variables of location, time of year, and day, and the weather which affect the intensity of the sun are explored in this...
Virginia Department of Education
Molecular Model Building
During this hands-on activity, young chemists build molecular models based on the Lewis dot structure before studying valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
Curated OER
Erosion: Changing the Face of Earth
Fourth graders explore how the landscape of the planet can be changed by different elements of wind, water, ice and chemicals through hands-on activities. They examine pictures of areas around town and discuss anything they think is out...
Virginia Department of Education
Solution Concentrations
What happens when you combine 6.022 times 10 to the 23 piles of dirt into one? You make a mountain out of a mole hill. Scholars use dehydration to obtain percent composition and then calculate the molarity of the original...
Virginia Department of Education
Predicting Products and Writing Equations
A chemistry lesson presents 14 chemical reactions for scholars to observe, write the equation, and balance the equations. Additionally, it provides ways to extend the activity as it relates to catalysts.
Virginia Department of Education
Equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s Principle
The best part of learning about equilibrium is that nothing changes. Young chemists observe four demonstrations during this lesson: equilibrium in a saturated solution, equilibrium with an acid-base indicator, equilibrium with cobalt...
Curated OER
The Scientists’ Way
Students summarize the steps of the scientific method. In this life science lesson, students explain the importance of varying only one variable at a time. They analyze possible flaws in their experiment.
Curated OER
Evaluation Expressions
High schoolers explore algebraic expressions in this Algebra I lesson. They evaluate expressions using paper and pencil and then use the TI-83 to provide immediate reinforcements.
Curated OER
Equilibrium
For this equilibrium worksheet, learners solve 4 problems. They calculate reaction quotients for problems, they examine a reaction in equilibrium and predict solutions to changes made to the reaction.
Curated OER
Filling the Glass (Water, Air, and Fractions)
Young scholars predict which of two glasses is 1/2 full using visual estimation, height measurement, and liquid measurement methods. Mathematical equations to accurately solve the problem are determined and verified.
Curated OER
What Makes a Seed Breathe Faster?
Here's a five-star lesson plan in which inquisitors conduct sophisticated experimentation with cellular respiration in plant seeds. Placing seeds in a closed system they measure the amount carbon dioxide produced and relate it to...
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere!
Learners brainstorm on ways they use water, and where water comes from. They view video, Down the Drain, to gain specific facts about water use, properties of water, problems of water and the water cycle. They perform a lab activity...
PHET
Planet Designer: Retro Planet Red
What does the atmosphere on Mars look like? This fourth instructional activity in the series of five is designed for high schoolers. Scholars apply previous knowledge to add atmosphere to Mars in an online simulation. This comprehensive...
PHET
Planet Designer: Martian Makeover
Mars used to have liquid water, can you make it come back? Use the activity and simulation to understand why Mars lost its magnetic field, why atmosphere is important, and what gravity has to do with it. This is the third...
Curated OER
Wind Power
What a wonderful way to explore wind power! Through this lesson, learners get a background in the history of wind power, create their own wind turbine, and the test their designs. This is a terrific way to tie scientific principles to...
Teach Engineering
Maximum Mentos Fountain
A messy fountain is potentially an energy experiment in disguise. Groups investigate the variables in creating a fountain from soda and Mentos. The last activity in a six-part series on energy has the class observe the fountain in terms...
Teach Engineering
Sugar Spill!
Sugar isn't good for you, but it's great for yeast! Scholars design an experiment to investigate how variables affect the rate of sugar consumption in yeast. The last installment of a nine-part Life Science unit considers how scientists...
Teach Engineering
Balsa Glider Competition
Change one variable and try again. Teams build basic balsa gliders and collect data on their flight distances and times. Through collaboration, the team decides on two modifications to make to the basic design and collect data for the...
Shodor Education Foundation
Linear Inequalities
An interactive lesson helps individuals learn to graph inequalities in two variables. Scholars can adjust the interactive to present the inequalities in standard or slope-intercept form.
Shodor Education Foundation
Recursion
Perform the operation ... and then do it again. Scholars investigate recursive formulas by creating and graphing them. Using the interactive, pupils set the variable, determine the initial value, and type in a recursive formula.The...