Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Decomposition Processes of a Plant
Students observe the decomposition of a pumpkin under controlled circumstances in a classroom. This can be used to lead discussions on recycling, trash, composting, or life cycles.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Being Darwin's Finches
In this biology activity, students will be investigating evolution by "competing" for food like Darwin's finches might have competed. Each student group is given a different type of "beak" to work with and there are also different kinds...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: First Class Levers
Through observation and inquiry, students are given various objects to investigate how levers work and why they might be useful.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Floating and Sinking: Density
This investigation introduces the concepts of volume, mass, and density and how they interact. Students will make predictions of whether an object will float or sink after finding mass and volume of an object.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Open and Closed Electrical Circuits
This activity introduces learners to the concepts of electrical current and open and closed circuits. Students will act out open and closed circuits as a whole class with some learners acting as the "motors" or "light bulbs."
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Three Bears Heat Investigation It's Just Right
This activity uses the story of the three bears as a way to investigate conduction, convection, radiation, and insulation properties. It also could be used to describe the laws of thermodynamics and conservation of energy.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Levers:relationship of Force of Effort & Resistance Fulcrum Placement
Young scholars investigate the relationship between the two forces and the location of the fulcrum in a first class lever. Students work in cooperative groups of approximately three to make observations that they can then generate a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Making Sense of Macroinvertebrates
In this field lab, small groups of students will explore macroinvertebrates found in a pond system near school. They will explore and practice observation and communication skills, then formulate a question and procedures to "test" their...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Exploring Newton's Second Law
Learners conduct an experiment that will reinforce their understanding of Newton's Second Law. Using simple objects, students control force, mass, and acceleration, and how each is related to each other.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Rotational Motion: Investigating Moment of Inertia and Torque
An investigation where students experiment with spools to learn about torque and the moment of inertia. Instructions for a lab report are provided, as well as drawings for students to refer to.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Fluids in Motion: Introduction to Bernoulli
Using different household items the students will be able to see how Bernoulli's Principle works for fluids in motion.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Earthworm Hunt: The Search Is On!
In this field lab activity, students predict and test areas around the school where they think earthworms will be found. After extracting some from the site, students observe the worms.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Geologic Features and Processes: A Field Investigation
In this hands-on field investigation, students will investigate geologic features and processes, make and record observations, then use their observations to develop questions to investigate. They will collect and analyze their own data...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Water Activity
Students investigate water by estimating how long it takes to freeze, then see if the ice cube will float in water, and eventually work with other items to see if they sink or float in water.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Do Balloons Interact When Rubbed Together?
Students investigate how two balloons interact with objects and each other when rubbed with a wool cloth. The students will also develop new testable questions and perform experiments to further their learning.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Clouds Are Made
Introduce young learners to clouds and weather with guided discovery and inquiry to learn what makes up clouds.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Identifying Clouds
Students work together to learn how to identify clouds. They take pictures, create models, and identify various forms of clouds. Since this is an immersion setting, students also learn the names of the clouds in the German language.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bacteria Growth Inquiry: Bodily Bacteria and Healthy Hygiene Habits
In this inquiry activity, groups of young scholars will generate investigable questions to explore the link between hygiene/cleanliness and bacteria growth/population. They will record their processes and reflections in a journal and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Magnets and Electricity: Creating Magnetism With Electricity
Students will work in small groups to design at least one complete circuit using multiple materials. They will record their observations of how they created an electrical circuit using diagrams and notes in their journals. Using a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mixtures, Solutions and Saturation: Testing Household Materials
Choosing two different powders, students will evaluate the properties of the materials and if the materials, when mixed with 50 ml of water, make a mixture or solution. They will examine the difference between a mixture and a solution...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Pond Insect Investigation
Insects are found in every habitat. Young scholars will learn about the life cycle of insects by exploring Minnesota ponds and the insects that live in them.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing,describing, Measuring Changing Physical Prop: Making Ice Cream
Students will create an endothermic chemical reaction by making ice cream. They will observe, describe, and measure the ingredients. After making ice cream, students will measure the temperature of the ice cream and the ice/salt mixture....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Green Space Investigation: From Observation to Testable Questions
A field-based inquiry activity which begins with a small, focused, teacher-chosen domain of study, and then helps students develop investigable questions from their observations.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Geologic Stories: Retreating Waterfalls and Fossils
A geology field investigation where students investigate fossiliferous limestone, the study local stratigraphy, and understand how glaciers and rivers have shaped the community.