Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observation of a Candle
In this activity, students observe and test a candle to try and determine what must be present in order for a candle to burn and what the products of combustion are.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Moon in Motion: Monitoring the Moon's Phases
Using a moon calendar data-gathering tool, learners discover the patterns of the lunar phases through observations and other exploration activities.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity
In this interactive activity, students will explore electricity and be able to design and create a complete electrical circuit. Students will also learn what is necessary to light a light bulb. Creative thought, ideas, and, brainstorming...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Cell Division
In this activity, students make microscopic observations of onion root tips, discuss them with classmates, then make detailed drawings that are shared.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Neighborhood Wetlands
In this Environmental Science and Engineering field activity, students will map a neighborhood wetland and generate various watershed questions. Students will identify engineered structures in or around this wetland and consider how...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Looking at Minnesota Geology
Students will observe the geology of Minnesota by studying rock and mineral samples.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Minnehaha Falls: Observing Changes in Nature Through Drawing and Writing
Students will take a nature field trip to practice their observational skills and then communicate their findings through drawing, writing, and sharing.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Adaptations of Plants for Survival in Different Environments
In this activity, young scholars investigate plant adaptations by observing plants in different environments comparing the plants to show similarities and differences. Students will learn about the adaptations plants need in order to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Water Bottle Rockets Understanding Energy
In this activity, students will design and construct a water bottle rocket. Students will demonstrate understanding of a good experimental design and analysis of results.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Motion: Investigating Motion Graphs
In this lesson, young scholars investigate motion graphs. Students predict what the distance-time graph and velocity time graph would look like for a student walking across the room for three different scenarios.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Rain Erosion: Does the Rate of Water Effect Erosion?
In this lab, students investigate whether the rate of water falling (rain) affects the amount of erosion (soil movement). This experiment could lead to further questions: how does grass or rocks effect soil erosion, does erosion lead to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Soil Which Soil Help Plants Grow?
In this guided inquiry lab, students will investigate what type of soil let plants/grasses grow the best. Students will answer the question by conducting an experiment using five different soils found in our area, school soil, potting...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Going Through a Phase: The Changing Patterns of Our Moons Appearance
Students learn about lunar phases by investigating and observing the changing shapes of the moon as sunlight is reflected away from the moon.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Soils
In this guided inquiry students will specify soil types by using various methods of determining soil textures and analyze them with a soil triangle. This activity is a laboratory investigation where students gather data on soil textures,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Moon Phases Box
This activity is designed to allow students to observe and recognize the phases of the moon. They will develop a better understanding of the relationship between the position of the earth, moon and sun and how that affects the area of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Electricity by Creating a Light Up Quiz Board
In this activity, students will learn how to create a simple circuit. They will create a matching quiz board that will light up when the correct pair is selected using electricity vocabulary from the text.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Relative Dating Using "The Block"
This lesson plan involves an innovative strategy for introducing the concept of relative dating using a block of wood that has been painted, damaged, and nailed. The task for learners is to analyze the order in which these events...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Movement of Tops
Students will raise questions about the way tops move by observing, through exploration/inquiry time, what they are made of, how the shape of each top affects its movement and what surface is best for a top to spin longest. As they...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Temperature: Using a Thermometer
In this activity, students will record the high/low temperature daily throughout the school year and observe the change over time (phenology). They will analyze the data monthly and make predictions about the temperature.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Transferring Heat Lab
In this physical science lab, young scholars calculate the amount of heat transfer between water and a metal.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Centripetal Acceleration Lab
In this lab students will explore multiple variables of centripetal acceleration. Students collect data on distance from the center of rotation and angular speed, in order to determine the Centripetal Acceleration. Student also research...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Comparing Current Intensities of Series, Parallel, and Complex Circuits
Students will investigate the differences of current in series, parallel, and complex circuits through the construction of a small house containing the different types of circuits.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Identifying the Sun as a Source of Light by Observing Shadows
Students investigate shadows and discover that the sun is a source of light.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Eagles in the Ecosystem Classroom Jigsaw Activity
In this in-depth jigsaw activity, young scholars investigate the role bald eagles play in the ecosystem, why they were listed as endangered, the effects of DDT on eagles, and the effects of lead on eagles. Furthermore, students will then...