Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Lunar Phases
In this astronomy classroom activity, students will investigate how shadows create the phases of the moon. Students will record the phases of the moon.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Water Retention No Problem With the Key Investigation
Students go outside to a nearby pond or wet area, and collect vertebrates and invertebrates. These are identified using a classification key. Information is recorded using a digital camera and a science notebook. Students later prepare a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Conductor or Insulator?
In this investigation the students predict, experiment, and observe whether materials are insulators or conductors.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Habitats: Human's Influence on the Land
Students will investigate two different habitats; one habitat is maintained in its original natural state while the other habitat is a manicured golf course. Students will identify and compare the diversity of plants and insects in those...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Heat and Temperature
In this lab, students will be able to describe the difference between heat and temperature. Students will feel several objects at room temperature and predict their temperature based on feel. They will then measure the actual temperature...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing the Effect of Temperature on Change of State and Gas Pressure
This lab serves as a short introduction to both changes in state and air pressure/the gas laws. The learners will heat a small amount of water in an aluminum can. They will then invert it in a bucket of cold water and crush the can using...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Visualizing Molecules in Motion
In this lab, students will explore the motion of molecules, the forces involved in making them move and predict the level of interaction that molecules can have in order to better understand chemical reactions.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Balloon Cars Revisited: Alternative Fuel Gases
In this activity, students use the common balloon cars they created which use air propelled out of a balloon as a fuel source to investigate how different gases (fuels) effect the travel distance of the balloon cars.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Adventures in Abc and 1,2,3
In this outdoor/indoor lesson, the learners will study Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen and make their own ABC book based on their observation skills used in the school forest.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Erosion in Our World
Students identify examples and effects of erosion in a natural outdoor setting, and then explain how erosion affects the environment.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Kinetic Theory: An Inquiry Into the Ideal Gas Law
When an overturned beaker is placed on top of a birthday candle in shallow pan of water, the candle will first go out and then water will appear to creep up the sides of the beaker like magic. Student will hypothesize and investigate why...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigation of the Minnehaha Falls Area
A lesson plan where students observe rock types and classify the rocks in the Minnehaha falls area. Students will also make predictions about the cause of the shape of the landscape. Students will record their findings in a journal....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Two Types of Journaling Before Pond Study
During the lab, students investigate the interaction of living and nonliving environmental factors affecting a run off pond near the school.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Courtyard Observations One Small Step
Students observe a one square foot area to make detailed observations of plants, animals, and insects outdoors in the school courtyard.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plant Identification
In this investigation, students will use the school courtyard to identify different plants native to Minnesota, including both trees and wildflowers. They will record the common name, scientific name, and several important features of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Leaf Rubbing and Plant Pressing
Students will study native plants by creating a herbarium used in plant identification. They will also complete some leaf rubbing to put in their journals. This activity is part of a series of labs about plants.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing and Creating Sketches of an Outdoor Environment
Students use their senses to observe nature then sketch a plant and/or animal in their science journals using detail and color. Using these sketches, they will create classroom books which are shared with the class.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mapping the Glaciers
In this activity, students will use Minnesota Geological Survey 3-D maps of the upper Midwest to trace the outlines of where they believe glaciers may have affected North America. They will identify landforms that resulted from glacial...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The Disintegration of Polystyrene Lab
A lab activity where students investigate the structure of polystyrene by breaking down the cross-links between bonds using acetone. The experiment will help them to understand how mass is conserved despite the drastic change in volume,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Circular Motion Lab
In this activity students use a homemade circular motion machine to investigate the variables that affect circular motion. The students then graph their data in order to find mathematical relationships between the variables they have...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Who Am I? Plant and Animal Life in a Pond
After learning about pond life, students play a game where they must ask questions to discover the name of an animal or a plant displayed on a card placed on their backs. A set of images, a questioning sheet, and a list of vocabulary...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Pondering the Pond
After a trip to the pond, young scholars will be able to name plants, animals, birds, and insects found at the pond. They will be able to categorize them and sort them into groups.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Valence Electrons and Trends in the Periodic Table
This instructor led activity will produce a partially filled periodic table that contains electron-dot models for the first twenty elements in the appropriate boxes. It will be used as a visual tool for students to connect concepts such...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Steam Discharge: An Interdisciplinary Approach
In this Interdisciplinary Field Investigation students will combine science, math, geography, creative writing and art. The setting will be a local stream (site yet to be determined, Minnehaha or Vermillion) where 150 students will...