Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Dichotomous Keys
This lesson serves as an introduction to the classification of plants and animals or trees. Students will investigate how to classify objects based on their similarities and differences. They will use technical writing to explain their...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Old Is That Thing on That Rock?
Students using magnifying glasses to observe collected fossils, and then make inferences and hypotheses about the age of the specimens.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Backyard Science the Five Senses
Kindergarten young scholars will use their existing outdoor expertise to help them focus on the scientific study of their five senses in stations.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Direction of Acceleration
In this short lab, students use Tonka trucks to observe the acceleration of a object as it initiates acceleration, maintains a steady speed, and slows to a stop.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Measuring Liquid Volume
In this lab, middle schoolers will measure and combine colored liquids to receive the expected results. The intended outcome would be to take primary colored liquids, measure them and combine them to create a "rainbow" colored set of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: 7th Grade Life Science at the Observatory: Life Throughout the Universe
This lesson plan is used to review basic concepts of Life Science and to utilize that knowledge by making the students think about and wonder if there is life somewhere else in the universe and what that life would be like.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Energy Flow Through Organisms: Introduction to Photosynthesis/respiration
In this life science classroom activity, learners will use cooperative learning and whole class discussions to be introduced to the concept of energy flow through organisms, and understand the basic processes of photosynthesis and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to the Milk Weed Ecosystem
Students will be making observations and drawing insects they observe on milkweed plants. Then as a class, they will see if students can identify the insects they were able to observe by their description.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Simpson's Reciprocal Index: Identify and Compare Habitat Biodiversity
In this biology field lab, students will collect insects from two different habitats and use them to quantify the biodiversity of each habitat.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Precision in Measurement Finding When an Object Changes Color
This activity is an introduction to measurement, especially precision. Students should know the difference between precision and accuracy in measurement. They will be able to answer the questions: At what temperature does the mood object...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Magnetism and Sound: Creating Your Own Headphones
Learners will explore how magnets can create a current by making their own headphones and listening to music from their iPods.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Chemical Reactions and Pancakes
In this lesson, students will hear a story about the ingredients that go into pancakes called, "Pancakes, Pancakes!" by Eric Carle. We will then discuss preference of light and fluffy vs. flat and rubbery pancakes. Students will compare...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Buoyancy: Calculating the Maximum Load of a Ship
Students will use critical thinking skills to predict the maximum mass that a ship can hold without sinking. Students will then test their prediction by sailing their loaded ship.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Adjusting Your Water Heater to Conserve Energy
In this lab-based activity, the students will accomplish two sequential goals. The first goal is to understand the law of conservation of energy.The second goal is to use their knowledge in part one to determine the temperature of a hot...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Consumer Testing and the Scientific Method
Using paper towels, introduce a basic approach to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent using the scientific method. Students learn to evaluate properties of paper towels: rate of absorbency, ability to use a wet...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Heat Transfer
Young scholars explore how different colors absorb or reflect heat using a black can of water, a white can of water, and a plain can of water.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Chromatography: Separating Pigments
In this chromatography experiment, students will investigate pigments used to create a black, water soluble marker. An extension can be done using primary and secondary colored water soluble markers as well as spinach leaves.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Growing Lima Beans: Do We Really Need Dirt?
Young scholars investigate different growth mediums for a lima bean seed: a wet paper towel and a paper cup with soil.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Graphing 1 D Kinematic Motion
In this demonstration students are given a position, velocity, or acceleration graph showing the motion of an object. They describe the motion, and then make predictions by completing the remaining two graphs. Using a motion detector and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Hand Towing a Car: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Analysis
In this active learning activity, students will find a technique to move a car with one hand. Students are given only a tow strap, so the students must apply angular force to successfully move the car with one hand.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lighting the Way: Electrical Circuits and Lamp Wiring
Through a series of self-guided activities, students will explore basic electrical circuits and then build a working model of a circuit through the process of wiring a lamp. They will understand the flow of electrons through a circuit,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Bug's Life: Under a Rock!
In this classroom biology lab, students will investigate the role or purpose of decomposers.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: I Can Forecast the Weather
The learners will study and be able to tell the difference between cumulus, cirrus, and stratus clouds. As they tell the difference they will be able to tell what the weather will be like.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Elements Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids
Students investigate several properties of the given elements and decide whether each element is a metal, non-metal, or a metalloid.