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Bird Eggs
Students perform an experiment with different types of bird eggs to determine what factors make them strong and able to stay on a cliff without rolling off.
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The Great Heat Escape
Students observe a demonstration on the role of thermal conductivity in heat transfer. In this thermal conductivity instructional activity, students design and conduct an experiment to compare the thermal conductivity of four...
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Electrical Generators
Students study what an electric generator does and its history. In this energy lesson students complete several experiments including building their own electric generator.
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"Where is My Food?"
Students investigate the monarch's searching behavior and ability to find food. They determine whether or not a caterpillar can find food in a simple Y-shaped maze. They record and graph or chart the data from several attempts using...
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Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow lesson, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
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Electromagnets
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnets. In this physics lesson, students build their own electromagnet and explain how it works. They determine the factors that affect its strength.
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Reed Switch
Students build simple electromagnetic reed switch motors. For this physics lesson, students explain how it works. They cite real world applications of reed switches and relays.
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Making Life Easier
Students use a chart of the six simple machines and become aware of how the machines improve our ability to meet the following needs: shelter, food, water, and transportation. Students use model cars to experiment with force. They divide...
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How Pollution Disrupts Our Natural Environment
Students conduct experiments to illustrate global warming. In this air pollution lesson, students first examine how a layer of greenhouse gasses might impact the earth's atmospheric temperature, then evaluate how the layer of gasses...
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Magnetic Levitation
Students conduct a series of experiments on magnetic levitation. In this physics lesson, students discover how Maglev trains operate. They explain how magnetism make even simple objects levitate.
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Monkeying Around
Third graders study machines. They watch a video about and identify and chart machines they find at home and at school. They design and build simple and compound machines, create an advertisement for them and attempt to sell them at the...
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Dripping Wet or Dry as a Bone?
Students use a sponge and water model to explore the concept of relative humidity and create a percent scale. They define humidity and saturation, build a simple humidity/saturation model, collect, predict and interpret data, and create...
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Lenz's Law
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnetic induction. In this physics lesson, students apply the right hand rule to determine the current direction and electromotive force. They test Lenz's and Faraday's law by observing...
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How Stuff Is Put Together (Chemical Bonding)
Fourth graders participate in a simple experiment that shows the ratio of elements that make up water.
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Squiggly, Wiggly Worms
Students, who are in early elementary grades, pair with fifth grade students to study worms. They observe worms in experiments, create research questions, and complete the research using Internet sites. They participate in a "Worm...
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Understanding: Flight
Students review the principles of flight before performing a series of simple experiments. Working in small groups, they complete hands-on activities that demonstrate the principles that make it possible for an airplane to lift into air...
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Making Your Dog Your Best Friend
Young scholars delve into dog training. In this biology lesson plan, students learn that hands, voice and heart is the basis of dog training and through demonstration and take part in a hands-on experience to teach a dog simple commands...
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Go to the Source- Your Town's Tap Water
Learners investigate their town's tap water. In this water quality lesson plan, students complete a simple taste-testing experiment and online research to investigate tap water.
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"Stick to It!" Properties of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes
Students investigate the strength of different adhesives. In this physical science lesson, students compare the force needed to peel adhesive tapes from a surface. They analyze collected data and make a generalization.
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Tornado In A Bottle
Students are able to visualize a tornado usig a simple experiment. They are divided into small groups. Students drill a 3/8 inch hole in the center of each bottle cap. Students connect the caps to the top of each other using glue. ...
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Not So Neutral Views
Students explore ways to use indicators to distinguish between acids and bases. They conduct an experiment to model and discuss the harmful effect of acid rain in our living and non-living environment.
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Fractals, An Inquiry: Day 3
Students develop questions for their inquiries and plan their experiments. They are supported by a modeled case study of Max the Dog's Inquiry Planning Process, as well as supported by a planning template, The Inquiry Organizer.
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Fractals, An Inquiry: Day 4
Students put their growing understanding of the scientific inquiry process to work. They use paint to implement their plans to experiment with how changing one aspect of the fractal making process influences their appearance.
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IPC Physics Vocabulary Review
In this physics review instructional activity, students review vocabulary words associated with speed, acceleration, Newton's Laws and simple machines, work and energy, magnetism, electricity, and harmonic motion and light. This...