Curated OER
Down to the Root of the Plant
Second graders identify types of roots and their purposes and observe and document root growth. students observe their roots once a week and measure them to see if there has been any change. Each student keeps a written log of the...
Curated OER
Bug Jars
Students explore symmetry. Students observe a variety of bug and plant drawings, then draw a bug jar. Students observe bugs from the top of the jar for a symmetrical view, and the side of the jar for an asymmetrical view. Students draw...
Curated OER
Seismic Calendar
Students discover how often earthquakes happen in a region of their choice. In this science lesson, students use online resouces to help them do their investigations. Students make their own map of their region and show how many...
Curated OER
Testing Density of Various Soap Products
Students have the opportunity to observe, measure and analyze the density of aerosol shaving creams and foams generated from shampoo and dishwashing liquids or detergents.
Curated OER
Bacteria Pool Party
Students investigate the organisms of bacteria. They are given a culture of bacteria that can be observed under a microscope. The students make observations that are recorded. The lesson includes the mention of specific safety...
Curated OER
Cleaning Pennies
Students observe changes in a penny when it is cleaned. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students use a dixie cup filled with vinegar and salt, and drop the penny into the water. Students observe the changes.
University of Southern California
Discovering Plants
Students construct a small greenhouse and plant lima beans. They read books about plants, tend the lima bean seedlings, observe and record plant growth, taste a variety of plants and maintain plant journals.
Curated OER
Plant, Point and Record the Life Cycles of Plants
Students examine the life cycle of plants. Individually, they are given a digital camera in which they take pictures of plants in the various stages of the life cycle. To end the lesson, they plant their own flower bed in the classroom...
Curated OER
What Do Trees Do for Dinner?
Students investigate how trees produce their own food. They examine chlorophyll cells with a microscope, analyze a cross section of a log, determine how old the tree was, simulate the distance of the roots, and create a play.
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students discover gardening by documenting plants grown on school grounds. In this botany lesson, students utilize digital cameras to capture images of plants on photo hikes which are turned into a slide show. Students plant a garden...
Curated OER
Tree Cycles
Fourth graders investigate the life cycle of a tree by researching the Internet. In this plant life lesson, 4th graders observe The Life of a Tree website and discuss the life of a tree from sprout to death. Students create a cross...
Curated OER
Petri-fied of Bacteria
Young scholars examine the existence of bacteria all around them and consider the roles, both positive and negative, that bacteria play. Over a period of several days, students conduct an experiment in which they predict, determine, log,...
Curated OER
Defining the Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Students examine microscopic life by conducting a scientific investigation. In this cell analysis lesson, students define the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and discuss their word origins. Students view each type of cell on slides...
Curated OER
Insects
Students read books, learn about the letter i, and eat raisins that represent ants all to learn about insects. In this insects lesson plan, students also observe an ant farm and play follow the leader.
Curated OER
Autumn
Take a walk through the forest as the leaves change color and fall from the trees, making way for a new ecosystem cycle to cycle through. An inquiry-based lesson plan examines how the process of decomposition eliminates tons of biomass...
Curated OER
Second Grade Science Textbooks
Second graders create their own science textbooks. They work in small, cooperative science teams to plan and create their textbooks. In addition, they photograph their group work, projects, materials and specimens, and other images.
Curated OER
Science: The Age of the Redwoods
Students discover how to estimate the age of redwood trees. They measure the trees' diameters by using string to calculate the circumferences. Students conclude by discussing the science of dendrochronolgy.
Curated OER
Annual Skinner Box Rat Training Competition
Students explore animal behvior. Using Skinner boxes, they monitor and train rats to accomplish a set of tasks. They maintain a log of observations, task completions and data.
Curated OER
Soil Science Study
Students complete an activity by looking and gathering data on plants and soils.
Curated OER
Using technology to engage students in science through inquiry research
Students study animals and their behaviors. For this animal behavior lesson students divide into groups and collect data and research animal behaviors.
It's About Time
Organic Substances
Host an exciting lab in which learners burn fruit rinds to better understand hydrocarbons. A reading passage and analysis questions wrap up the lesson.
It's About Time
Polymers
All plastics contain polymers, but not all polymers are plastic. Young chemists make their own polymer and compare the properties to those of other states of matter. After a reading passage, pupils answer analysis questions about natural...
It's About Time
The Electricity and Magnetism Connection
Magnets don't grow in fields, but magnetic fields are important to understand. The lesson covers the effect electricity has on magnetic fields. Scholars use a compass, magnets, and electrical wire to test magnetic fields and energy...