Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Food as Fuel
Students find and compare the amount of calories found experimentally with the values found on the food packages.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Making Your Own Snowflake in a Jar
In this activity, students will learn about supersaturated solutions. They will observe the beginning formation of crystals as the solution cools and by the next day, the students will see the formation of a snowflake made by the crystals.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introducing Nature Journal
Why do scientists use a nature journal? This activity is designed to introduce students to learning the routine for using a nature journal and practice using their observation skills and descriptive writing skills in their journal...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Discovering Density Through Lava Lamps
Students first predict, then mix several liquids and then add salt to the mix, simulating a lava lamp.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Current Electricity Lights On
An exploratory instructional activity that provides the learners with a chance to discover the possible connections in an electrical circuit in a controlled setting.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Wind Affects Various Objects
In this activity, students experiment with various objects in a wind tunnel. Together, they record predictions and data in a class data table. Students will then use the information gained in the experiment to draw conclusions about the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Looking for Living and Nonliving Things
Students will think about what is alive and identify the objects they observe as living or nonliving. They will record their findings in a journal, share them with their classmates, then illustrate a page for a class book of things they...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Growing Crystals Physical and Chemical Changes
Students conduct a controlled experiment resulting in the growth of salt crystals. They will use their skills of observation to document what goes into the experiment and what comes out, and what they have learned of physical and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Predatory Prey Relationships: The Fox and the Rabbit Game
This activity helps young scholars understand how predator-prey interactions affect population sizes and how competitive interactions affect population sizes. They will also explore the major factors that influence the predator-prey...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Understanding Vectors Vector Addition
By participating in a group activity, students will learn how to add force vectors. They will see the significance of direction when adding vector quantities.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Comparing Soil Samples From Different Locations
In this field investigation, students compare various soil samples taken from specific locations. Students compare samples, record data, create a chart or graph, and keep records in a journal.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Water Bottle Rockets, Etc!
In this science lab, students investigate Newton's Laws of Motion. They will make and fly water bottle rockets, as well as measure the height of each rocket's flight.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Fossils and Living Organisms
In this lab, young scholars will observe and compare fossils with living organisms by making a "fossil" and comparing it to a real fossil and the "organism" it was made from.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Balance Between Art and Science
In this classroom activity, students will use balance to create a beautiful piece of art inspired by artist Alexander Calder.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Measuring and Comparing Temperatures
Using thermometers, students will compare differences in the temperature of various materials and locations. They will record and chart the data that was collected and present the graphs to their classmates.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Minnesota's Natural Resources
In this lesson, students will learn that iron ore is a Minnesota natural resource. Students will gain an understanding of the geological history of the Iron Range and evaluate its past, present, and future in regard to their economy.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: 2 Day Investigating Soil Samples: Observing and Identifying Soils
This description of this activity is a 2-day lesson: Day 1, Field Lab, Day 2, and Classroom Investigation. In this field lab, children working in groups will collect 3 samples of soil from different locations. Each sample will be placed...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Density in Solutions: How Can You Make an Egg Float?
In this activity, learners will learn about density by determining how to make an egg float in water. By the end of the lesson, students will understand that density and weight are different and that density matters in floatation. They...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity: Building Circuits in Elementary Science Class
In this exploration activity, students compare the difference between series circuits and parallel circuits using wire, light bulbs, and D batteries.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Connecting the Story "Diary of a Worm" to a Daily Activity Diary
Beginning with reading, "Diary of a Worm" to the students, guide a discussion about how the story is like real worms. The students then keep a day by day activity diary of all the things that happen in their lives to compare their lives...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Prairie Life: Observation and Recording of Plant and Animal Life
Students will learn about prairie life as they investigate the plants and animals that live there. They will then share their observations with their classmates.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Classify the Trees/leaves
Students go outside to look for trees and gather leaves. Working cooperatively they will sort and try to classify the trees by the characteristics of their leaves.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Food Chains: Nature's Restaurant
Students begin this lesson by making observations and recording evidence of the variety of living things in local nature site. Students use reference materials to research predators and food of the animals they observed, then illustrate...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Leaves and Descriptive Writing
In this activity, students will be introduced to different types of leaves by going on a leaf walk. They will bring back a select few to the classroom, draw and write about one of their leaves, and then share with a partner and then the...