Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Designing an Experiment to Test the Rate of Photosynthesis
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...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mystery Material
Students will investigate an unknown material by determining its properties and categorizing its state of matter. They will observe how it behaves under different conditions, record their observations, analyze information, and be able to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: No Two Snowflakes Are Alike?
While reading "Snowflake Bentley", students will observe different snowflakes and identify how they are alike and different in their shape and design. They will then research snowflake designs and create original snowflakes using designs...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Ecosystem Change and Insect Visitation Rates
In this field investigation, learners develop a question and investigation regarding an environmental change and its effect on insect visitation rates to a plant community.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Building an Electromagnet
Students will demonstrate how an electric current can make an iron object magnetic by building an electromagnet with a steel nail, insulated wire, a simple switch, a battery/cell, and small metal washers. Students predict the number of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Ice Cream Model How Glaciers Formed the Minnesota Landscape
This classroom demonstration using ice cream illustrates to students the effects that the glaciers had on Minnesota's landscape.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Inquiry to Group Minnesota Critters
Students will observe and investigate various characteristics of Minnesota critters, and then chart and give reasons for the way they grouped them.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Animal Game Impact of Human Activity or Natural Disasters
A description of a lesson where students first listen to a story where they begin to think about and discuss the impact humans and natural disasters have on the environment. They then play a board game. This requires preparation...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating How Terrain and Watersheds Are Connected
In this lab, students will investigate the topography of a watershed and determine how it may affect physical stream parameters focusing on how terrain and water systems are connected.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: An Investigation Into Geologic Mapping: Quarry Park
In this geology field lab, students will map an area around Quarry 12 and Quarry 13 in Quarry Park. Using a field notebook, students will take field observations to later produce a basic geologic map, topographic map, and a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Nature Journaling
In this activity, students will be introduced to nature journaling and discover the importance of detail accuracy in scientific drawings when used to observe and identify objects.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Nature of Sound With a Slinky
A physics lesson where students investigate how sound can be produced and changed. Students identify vibrations as the source of sound and how it can be amplified and received, and then explore the use of a slinky to explain the nature...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Solid and Liquid Density Investigation
For this activity, students investigate whether objects and liquids float or sink when placed in water. As they proceed, they will develop an understanding of what density is. Student handouts are provided.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Ions: Copper Topping
Students will utilize a few household items to create a thin copper coating on items without using electricity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bumps and Buckles: A Lesson on Motion
For this physics lesson, the students will be learning that motion can be changed when a car goes down a ramp. By adding "speed bumps" in different lengths away from the ramp, they will observe what happens to their car. Students will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Candle Drop
By using this discrepant event, students will be guided through an investigation using a burning candle in a jar. The teacher will hold a burning candle in a jar over his/her head. When dropped, the candle will extinguish when caught....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bridges, Building and Breaking
Students will design, build and test the load bearing capacity of a scale model bridge. They will explore types of bridges. Learn about forces that effect bridges. Make scale drawings. Grading rubric is included as is a presentation for...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mystery Powders: An Introduction to Physical and Chemical Properties
Students will complete various tests of five mystery powders to develop an understanding of physical and chemical properties. They will record their observations and develop hypotheses as to what they think each mystery powder is and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigate Chemical Changes: What Are Some Signs of Chemical Change?
This lab illustrates the condition of color change and the formation of gas (bubbles) as a result of a chemical change. Middle schoolers will be able to name the characteristics of chemical changes.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Human Tissues: How Are Tissues Classified?
In this investigation, students will observe slides of unknown tissues and then draw their observations in a science notebook. They will then work in groups to reach a consensus as to the classification of tissues. This activity is...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Comparative Approach to Animal Dissections (A Phylogenic Study)
In this biology inquiry lab, students study evolutionary relationships by making observations of preserved animal specimens, developing a question, then investigating by dissecting the specimens provided. This comparative approach offers...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Experiments With Air and the Pressure Air Exerts
In this indoor or outdoor lab, learners listen to the book Let's Try it Out in the Air. Then they have an opportunity to try the air experiments suggested in the book and write in an observation journal.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating How to Create a Stronger Electromagnet
In this lesson, learners will investigate what they can do to produce a stronger electromagnet. Students will use the scientific thinking process to conduct investigations and build explanations. They will present their discoveries to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Dissecting Soil
In this soil study, students investigate a soil sample to discover what is inside the soil. Working in partners, they explore to see if there are any plants, animals, dirt, or other (water and air) in the soil.