Curated OER
2D Kinematics w/ String Racers
Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics lesson plan, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.
Curated OER
Separation of Unknowns in a Liquid
Learners identify chromatography as method of separating the components of a liquid. Students discover that dyes are composed of more than one component in achieving a particular color in these lessons on paper chromatography.
Curated OER
Names in the Field: A Simple GPS Field Exercise
Students explore basic methods of GPS data collection, uploading the data to a computer, and making simple maps of their data using GIS software. They create a map of the data using GIS software (or Excel)
Curated OER
Molar Ratio
Learners conduct an experiment in which they react sodium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid to determine the molar ration between the two reactants. Students must write correct formula and a balanced chemical equation and explain how...
Curated OER
Predicting the Past
Students study how archaeologists record the past. They discuss archaeology and artifacts. They view a list of artifacts discovered by Marquette at the Illinois Village and answer questions regarding them. They complete a test about...
Curated OER
Field Experiments on Succession
Student develop a hypothesis regarding the effects of either mowing or fertilizer upon the diversity of plant species in a grassland ecosystem. They set up experiment field plots and measure species richness.
Curated OER
Laetoli Trackway Puzzle
Students try to reach a "best explanation" after viewing diagrams. In this trackway instructional activity students complete several worksheets, make observations and hypothesize.
Curated OER
Rocket Physics
Students investigate the relationship between impulse, momentum, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamic drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate data taken from launching a rocket. They compare the theoretical and actual...
Curated OER
Earthworms
Fifth graders research the earthworm and write a one paragraph report on its anatomy and habitat. They learn about worms and how to dissect them through Video Streaming and virtual dissections, along with actually dissect a worm as...
Curated OER
Weather is Cool, Hot or Somewhere In-Between
Students access the Internet to record data on weather. They use email to answer a younger classes' questions about the weather.
Curated OER
Flower Pigments
Middle schoolers experiment with Thin Layer Chromatography to separate pigments found in flower petals.
Curated OER
Classification
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. They classify ten animals using the information on the picture to group the animals. Students develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models...
Curated OER
Activity 4: Alvin Dive, A Mysterious Encounter and Change Over Time
Students receive copies of the Time Series Observations to use for note-taking. They work in small groups to discuss what they see when the outside lights of Alvin are turned on, and off, where the bacteria may have come from. They view...
Curated OER
Use of Digital Cameras
Students make observations of frogs by taking pictures of a frog and writing about its structual and behavioral characteristics. They insert a photo in Word and add text boxes and arrows for labeling.
Curated OER
It's the Slime Time
Students experiment to understand the basic concept of polymerization and to understand the dissolution theory. Student experiment with polymers to understand its behavior and the mechanical behavior of polymer networks.
Curated OER
Watershed Analysis
Students conduct a regional watershed analysis of an area of their choosing. Using on-line data and their personal knowledge of the area, they determine the annual hydrologic budget and teach the class about "their" watershed.
Curated OER
Testing Soils for Garden Planting
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
Curated OER
The Importance of Water
Students explore the importance of water. They discuss why water is important and students design an experiment that evaluates the water quality and methods of improving water quality. Students perform testing and report their findings.
Curated OER
The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 4
High schoolers explore the respiratory system. They use a computer to monitor the respiratory rate of an individual. They determine residual oxygen levels in exhaled air. Students evaluate how internal 02 and C02 concentrations...
Curated OER
Annotating Change in Satellite Images
Young scholars compare a series of satellite images taken 3-4 years apart to investigate the effects of human land use. They annotate the images using ImageJ software and use the annotated images to explain their findings.
Curated OER
Looking into Earth with GIS
Students work with data from a seismic wave model in a freely available GIS (geographic information system) program, ArcVoyager SE. Using a GIS, they examine maps and produce graphs to explore variations in seismic wave velocities at...
Bryn Mawr College
Serendip: Moldy Jell O
Brief text summary of what students learn in the Moldy Jell-O Lab along with links to download Student Handouts and Teacher Preparation Notes in PDF or Word formats. Students design the experiment and observe the growth of mold. Focus is...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Writing With Scientists With the American Museum of Natural History
Follow this six-step method and you'll have a good understanding of what a good scientific research paper involves and how it is organized. There are plenty of samples for you to look at. This explanation is also very helpful for...
American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society: Inquiry in Action: Teach Science Well
Online textbook reviews fundamentals of chemistry and physical science via slideshow presentations, notes, and videos. Materials for classroom activities engage students in inquiry-based, hands-on investigations covering molecular...