National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Synthesis of Nickel Nanowires
It's all about the scale—they're not just wires, they're nanowires! The second lesson of the series builds on the oxidation-reduction experiment in the first lesson. Scholars synthesize a sample of nanowires using electrolysis. As they...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
Cornell University
Atomic Bonding
Explore the connection of surface area to bonding within atoms. Learners complete lab investigations to model changing surface area with different sizes and concentrations of atoms. A flour fireball demonstration follows the labs to...
Cornell University
Nano Interactions
Tiny particles can provide big learning opportunities! Middle school scientists explore the world of nanoparticles through reading, discussion, and experiment. Collaborative groups first apply nanotechnology to determine water hardness....
Curated OER
How Much Energy is Stored in Wood?
In this energy lesson plan, students create calorimeters out of soda cans and use them to calculate the amount of energy stored in different types of wood.
Curated OER
Bacteria's Role in Food
Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...
Curated OER
Holiday Fire Safety
Students discuss and view flammable items. For this fire safety lesson, students discuss items that can cause a fire, learn holiday safety tips, watch a holiday safety PowerPoint and discuss what they have learned.
Curated OER
Degradation and Weathering of Polymeric Materials
Students investigate issues of degradation and weathering of polymeric materials during their useful life. They evaluate photodegradable plastics and their viability as an environmental solution for litter and investigate the qualitative...
Curated OER
Periodic Behavior of Oxides
Students investigate the properties of oxides and observe their periodic trends. In this behavior of oxides lesson plan, students experiment with metallic oxides and non-metallic oxides to determine if they are acid, basic or amphoteric...
Curated OER
Resource Sharing Between Chemistry Labs
Students assume the role of community college instructors researching the feasibility of resource (chemicals, supplies, equipment) sharing between community colleges. They explore safety issues pertaining to chemical transport, storage,...
Curated OER
Food Safety Lab-Part 3 Cross Contamination andHygiene
Students observe the effect of croos contamination as they inoculate orange juice with penicillin mold from the refrigeration lab and active yeast solution from the sterilization lab. They experience a simulation of passing bacteria...
Curated OER
Confident Commute: Increasing Safety for Teen Drivers
Students brainstorm possible causes for motor vehicle accidents involving teen drivers. In this biology lesson, students study national data regarding teen driving behaviors. They create awareness materials to help promote safe driving...
Curated OER
Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures
Students collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.
Curated OER
Experiments in Nanotechnology: Ferrofluids
Students explore the world of nanotechnology by synthesizing ferrofluids in a series of chemical reactions. In small groups, they follow the procedure to create the ferrofluids using precise measuring techniques. They test the resulting...
Curated OER
Plant Life in Action
Sixth graders examine various habitats and record the living creatures they found. In this biodiversity lesson, 6th graders complete a worksheet recording their observations. Students draw conclusions about the climate and its effect on...
Curated OER
Enzyme Labs Using Jello
High schoolers test for the presence of enzymes in fruit and the specificity of those enzymes, as well as to identify and show the susceptibility of enzymes to certain environmental factors (temperature and pH) originating in the...
Curated OER
Measuring Calories in Food
Students measure the amount of calories in food. In this food energy instructional activity, students discuss what a calorie is, how our bodies use a calorie, and how many we need. Then, students use a calorimeter to calculate the amount...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (5A) Lab
Fifth graders explore electromagnetic waves and light. For this light lesson, 5th graders draw the parts of a wave of the electromagnetic spectrum. They compare a flashlight to a laser to see how the light looks when shined through...
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen in an Aquatic Ecosystem
Students explain why dissolved oxygen is important in aquatic ecosystems. They evaluate the optimal dissolved oxygen levels for living organisms.
Curated OER
Simulating the Greenhouse Effect in a Terrarium
Young scholars identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs. In this environmental lesson students view videos then complete an experiment using a terrarium to observe greenhouse gas.
Curated OER
All About Safety
Students create a safety podcast. In this safety lesson, students in a robotics lab are introduced to the safety rules for each station. They create a podcast about one station explaining the rules with video, graphics, voice and sound...
Purdue University
Can You Design a Hot or Cold Pack?
You're getting warmer. Groups conduct an experiment to determine which of four chemicals are in hot/cold packs. They learn about exothermic and endothermic reactions and use this knowledge to design a hot/cold pack that is small enough...
Curated OER
Lab Safety
Students investigate the concept of lab safety using a variety of different activities. The equipment necessary is covered. They draw the different types of lab tools using a graphic organizer.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Lab
Although it was written to use in a science class, this measurement lesson is adaptable to Common Core standards in math for measurement and data. Youngsters are introduced to two types of measurement systems. They use both the English...