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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Scientific Inquiry: Scientific Methods

For Students 3rd - 8th
A video that explains the steps involved in the scientific method. Includes a karaoke song with lyrics, a quiz to test students' knowledge, and vocabulary definitions.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Scientific Inquiry: Outcomes and Predictions

For Students 3rd - 8th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on identifying possible outcomes and making predictions.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Scientific Method

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describe how the Renaissance period in history changed the approach to science. Identify the steps of the scientific method. Differentiate between the independent...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Qualitative Analysis: Guided Inquiry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this experiment, students will design and carry out a sequence of chemical reactions for the separation and identification of three metal cations from six unknown samples.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Plant Pest Control

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The goal of this learning experience is to familiarize learners with the concept of scientific inquiry, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation. Students will explore the website "Which Pest Control...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Forces: Pop Bottle Rockets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lab, students will work on scientific inquiry skills: observation, developing questions, conducting an experiment, and collecting data. They will investigate forces using pop bottle rockets that they have designed.
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Activity
University of California

Understanding Science: Newton's 2nd Law: Inquiry Approach Lesson

For Teachers 10th - 12th
For this lesson, students develop their own scientific experiment to test Newton's hypothesis that the acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting upon it and its mass. After completing their designed experiment, students...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: "Mystery and the Unknown": Teaching Inquiry Through Aquatic Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This field experience takes place at our school site pond. Students will use inquiry and direct observation to discover the types of aquatic animals that live in our school site pond. Students will record their findings in a journal, and...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Chromotography: An Open Inquiry

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
After a short demonstration on chromatography, students brainstorm ways to change the experiment, and develop a new, testable question related to chromatography.
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Website
Other

National Geographic: Jason Learning

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Educators and students will enjoy visiting the JASON Project, a NASA and National Geographic cooperation which works to provide accurate and intriguing scientific knowledge for students.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Observations & Interpretations: Engaging Students in Classroom Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Use this method to emphasize and clarify for learners the importance of differentiating between observations and interpretations, and qualitative and quantitative observations. Students will learn how a hypothesis may change as new...
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Website
Other

Cool Science

For Students 3rd - 8th
This non-profit organization brings "cool" science programs to schools in the Pikes Peak, CO area, but the website also provides exciting videos, experiments, and links to online users. Watch real chemistry and physics experiments and...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Eggs and the Equinox

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In this guided inquiry activity, learners work to address the myth, "Eggs will balance on end on the equinox." Students to come up with their own procedure to test this question and perform the experiment.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Using Egg Drop Activity to Promote Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...
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Activity
Center of Science and Industry

Cosi Columbus: A Swell Activity With Beans [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about absorption in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what happens to different types of beans as they soak in water in a test vial.
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Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Serc: Modeling the Effects of Dam Removal on the Elwha River

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students are introduced to river systems and how they evolve and interact with the Earth's surface over time. They learn about the social and scientific issues surrounding the removal of the Glines Canyon Dam on the Elwha River and...
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Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Serc: Mentos and Soda Eruptions: Lessons on Explosive Volcanic Eruptions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will learn about volcanic eruptions, the scientific method, gas saturation, and bubble nucleation by participating in a popular experiment with Mentos candies and soda.
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Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Properties of Dust

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students carry out a scientific investigation of dust in their classroom, then extend their experience to properties of dust in space.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Molecules, Molecules, Molecules!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will prove the theory that matter is made up of tiny particles called molecules. This experiment will show that these "invisible" molecules are always moving and leaving invisible spaces in between.
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Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Budburst Fall Colors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Inquiry, students engage in a debate between two characters about when a bed-and-breakfast (B&B) should have a fall leaf-peeping special to maximize the guest experience. Students are introduced to Budburst, a citizen science...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Designing an Experiment to Test the Rate of Photosynthesis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using spinach leaf disks, students measure the rate at which the photosynthesis process occurs. Students speculate on further investigations that could be done and discuss how the rate at which photosynthesis occurs has vast implications...
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Interactive
Harvard University

Harvard Smithsonian: Everyday Classroom Tools

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
The focus of this series of lessons is to engage students in an exploration of the world around them. The emphasis is on inquiry as students learn about the earth, sun, light, shapes and more.
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Activity
SRI International

Performance Assessment Links in Science: Ice Melting

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A lesson plan for guiding students through a simple research experiment focused on transfer of energy is described for teacher administration and student explanation. Also includes a detailed rubric for evaluating student work.
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Handout
Other

Terc: Online Science Athon: Find Out How Tall You Are

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Create a Measuring Day at your school and teach your students how to use simple tools to gather, discuss and analyze their own data. This step-by-step lesson plan helps you design an unforgettable day for you and your students. Links to...