Curated OER
Bigger Faults Make Bigger Earthquakes
Students experiment with string to visualize how earthquakes are created. Using various lengths of string, students determine which earthquakes lasted the longest and hypothesize why. Students look at a fault map and determine which may...
Curated OER
Modeling Oil and Gas Reservoirs
Students investigate energy by researching how oil reservoirs work. In this fossil fuels lesson, students conduct an experiment using a half full bottle of water, corn oil and oxygen, recording their data as the elements are mixed...
Curated OER
Agriculture is a Cycle
What do a bicycle and the life cycle have in common? Cover this and more with the series of cross-curricular activities included in this plan. Learners do everything from making bracelets that represent the life cycle to checking out the...
Curated OER
Ecosystem Damage from Household Cleaners
Third graders assess the damage done to various ecosystems by cleaning products and discover how scientists test water quality. Using stream water and common household cleaning agents, they work in groups to test for pH levels. Once...
Curated OER
Explosives
Students assume the role of police detectives and investigate chemical agents used to make explosives and suspected terrorists based on information provided. Students have a list of questions to lead their investigation and must produce...
Curated OER
Permafrost: Permanently Frozen Ground
Students explore permafrost. In this 3 states of matter lesson, students identify characteristics of solids and liquids. Students observe water and soil melting and freezing at various temperatures. Students make predictions about a...
Curated OER
The Chemistry Connection
For this proteins worksheet, students read about the chemical compound, protein. Students determine where proteins are found in the body and how enzymes help the body react. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
What is Matter?
Young scholars create a definition of matter. In this physical science lesson, students work in pairs to sort items printed on cards into several categories (matter, non-matter, and unsure) and agree on a definition of matter.
Curated OER
How Hot Is It?
Sixth graders use paper cups, black and white lining, thermometers and plastic wrap to conduct an experiment that measures the energy-collecting capacity of various colors. They graph the results.
Curated OER
Good Vibrations
Learners demonstrate sound waves and make changes in the waves
resulting in changes in pitch. Students associate changes in pitch in various "musical instruments"with size and shape and the sound waves they produce.
Curated OER
Geological Time Line
Learners demonstrate knowledge of when coal was formed by plotting a geological time line.
Curated OER
Clouds as Art: Torn Paper Landscape
Students create a torn paper landscape and use it to study clouds. In this cloud study and art lesson, students make a background art image from torn paper. Students create a torn paper landscape and use cotton balls to illustrate...
Curated OER
Dangers of Radiation Exposure
Students explore sources of high-energy radiation and calculate student exposure to ionizing radiation over the past year.
Curated OER
Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream
Students explore the importance of the Gulf Stream. Using a NASA satellite images, they examine the sea surface temperature. Students collect the temperature at various locations and times. Using spreadsheet technology, they graph the...
Curated OER
Art Changes You And the World
Students explore advertising as a way to change their world. They use the Internet to research an energy, an environmental, and a cultural issue and create three 'world changing' pieces of advertising/artwork to express their ideas.
Curated OER
Shelter
Young scholars study shelter and how plants, animals, and people must have shelter to survive. In this shelter lesson, students read paragraphs about various shelters and their necessity with plants, animals, and people.
Curated OER
Snowball Fight
Students examine the weather conditions throughout the globe. As a class, they discover the impact of snow on various types of crops. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they form raindrops and calculate the...
Curated OER
Health, Pollution, and Safety: Why Should We Care?
Students examine the impact of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions. They identify ways alternative fuels can lessen the effect of emissions on communities. Working in teams they conduct research from various community and Internet...
Curated OER
Creating a Thematic Map Using S'COOL Data
Students observe weather patterns, collect data, and make a weather predictions for various locations on a map.
Curated OER
The Physics of Electricity: Real or Magic?
Eighth graders participate in various demonstrations on electricity. In this physics lesson plan, 8th graders explore static and current electricity. They apply concepts to real world situations.
Cornell University
Characterizing a Solar Cell
Young classes are sure to get a charge out of this instructional activity! Learners experiment with circuits of a solar cell. They practice determining current, voltage, and power for the circuit and maximize the voltage and current of...
Curated OER
Speakers in Action
Tune into C-Span and tape politicians delivering testimony before congress. Class members view these tapes, formulate a rubric for rating the effectiveness of such a speech, and then emulate best practices and include them in their own...
Curated OER
Sounds Like Great Science!
A phenomenal instructional activity on sound is here for your third graders! In it, learners engage in hands-on activities, watch video, take part in Internet activities, and complete tasks in cooperative groups in order to explore the...
Curated OER
This Little Light of Mine
Elementary schoolers discover how electricity travels and create an electron flow through a closed circuit. They work together to make a closed circuit and observe the electricity being made. This outstanding lesson plan is well worth...