Curated OER
Wet or Dry Experiment
Practice the scientific process by testing whether mealworms prefer a wet or dry environment. This is an engaging experiment to use as an example of how to go through the steps of the scientific method. Elementary schoolers can work in...
Curated OER
Heat Energy - Energy Transfer
Here's a great selection of slides for a class being introduced to heat transfer. Types of materials that are good conductors or insulators are covered and the diagrams that accompany the information should make understanding more...
Curated OER
Water Quality Comparison of Pulpit Rock Stream and Welton Falls
Eighth graders analyze different water samples given to them by their teacher.
Curated OER
Water Quality Monitoring
Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
Curated OER
What is Dissolved Oxygen?
Students experiment with the LaMotte Winkler-Titration Test Kit to try to answer the question of what is dissolved oxygen. They explore all the possible ways to test for dissolved oxygen and brainstorm all the obstacles that can affect...
Curated OER
Is Your Water Clean?
Students conduct tests of water samples from different sources, such as a local river, tap water, and an irrigation ditch. After determining which pollutants are present in each sample, students hypothesize the possible sources of the...
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students examine the YSI and the water properties that it measures. They identify the different properties of water pH, DO, temperature, turbidity, and salinity and determine why it is important for them to test these parameters.
Curated OER
Testing Growth of Algae
Students participate in an experiment in which they test the growing rate of algae. They test the algae in different elements recording their observations. They share their results with the class and discuss.
Curated OER
Water Quality Survey: Monitoring the Sustainability of Pigeon Creek
High schoolers research the History of Pigeon Creek (or any watershed in your area). In this environmental science lesson, students conduct field tests such as pH and nitrates. They collect data and compare what they collected with other...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students research the water cycle and identify main vocabulary associated with the water cycle. They build and observe a closed system model that demonstrates the water cycle in action.
American Chemical Society
Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel
The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the results...
Curated OER
Preparation of Crystalline Derivatives of Aldehydes and Ketones
Chemistry explorers prepare a crystalline derivative and find its melting point. Once they discover the melting point, they are able to identify whether or not the substance is pure, and whether it is an aldehyde or ketone. This is an...
Curated OER
Testing Density of Various Soap Products
Students have the opportunity to observe, measure and analyze the density of aerosol shaving creams and foams generated from shampoo and dishwashing liquids or detergents.
Curated OER
What is Wrong with My Pond?
Students examine various pond water samples to identify water quality. In this water quality lesson, students will identify levels of nitrates, ammonia, pH, hardness,and alkalinity in pond water. They will explain importance of water...
Curated OER
Ground Level Ozone Testing
Students prepare Shoenbein Paper to test the ground level of ozone. They dip a strip of their test paper in distilled water and hang it at a data collection site. They determine the relative humidity of the data collection site. Using a...
Curated OER
Measuring Water Quality
Students are introduced to the various methods of measuring water quality. In groups, they test various water samples using the different methods, writing them down for pH, oxygen, salinity, and nitrate levels. They use their data to...
Curated OER
Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Students investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
Curated OER
Devising a Set of Experiments to Test Water for Dissolved Substances
Students work together to test water samples for pollutants. They design data tables to collect and record their observations. They complete discussion questions to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Walk
Fifth graders explore the water cycle. Students walk in a circle as a song plays. When the song stops, 5th graders answer questions about the picture on which they are standing. In groups, students draw pictures of the water cycle.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Walk
Students investigate the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson plan, students listen to a song as they walk around and when they music stops, they answer a question based on the water cycle.
Curated OER
Towel Testing
Students examine how to design and implement experiments. In this paper towel experiment lesson students test the strength of paper towels.
Curated OER
Water Quality Sampling
Students explore the water qualities in Texas. They evaluate the water quality of six different samples by observing and smelling them. They present a list of the cups that contained good water quality based on their observations. They...
Curated OER
Lesson Skill: Determining Audience and Purpose
“. . . the car looked as it had caught some terrible disease.” Pairs read and then illustrate a passage from either “The Year I Drove through the Car Wash” or “Riding Is an Exercise of the Mind” in preparation for a discussion of...
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.