Exploratorium
Bubble Suspension
Create a cushion of carbon dioxide gas to float some soap bubbles on. Many concepts can be demonstrated through this activity:
Carbon dioxide gas is more dense than air
Bubbles are semipermeable, allowing only carbon dioxide to diffuse...
Curated OER
Activity #14 Floating Bubbles
Young scholars comprehend that Carbon dioxide gas is relatively easy to generate. They comprehend that one way to produce it is with dry ice. Pupils comprehend that carbon dioxide gas can also be produced by combining baking soda with...
NOAA
The Biogeochemical Cycle
The biogeochemical cycle ... no physics? The fourth installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program introduces the biogeochemical cycle by having pupils simulate movement between Earth's...
Safe Kids Worldwide
Home Safety Tips
Stay safe all year long with a list of safety tips for the home. With pointers about preventing burns, water safety, keeping medication away from children, and poison prevention, among others, the resource is valuable for anyone invested...
Curated OER
Properties of Acids and Bases
High schoolers observe and investigate properties of acids and bases. In this acids and bases lesson plan, students perform 5 different experiments including reactions of acids and metals, reaction of acids with carbonates,...
Curated OER
Dancing Raisins
In this science investigation instructional activity, students follow the directions to mix raisins in clear carbonated soda to watch them sink and rise.
Curated OER
Diving Raisins
Students hypothesize and observe what occurs when raisins are dropped in a carbonated liquid. They examine buoyancy and how density effects ascent and descent.
Rainforest Alliance
Forests of Guatemala
With 90 percent of its land area covered in forests, Suriname, a country in South America, contains the largest percentage of forests throughout the world. Here is an activity that brings classmates together to learn about the...
Curated OER
Earth Science
Students analyze the mechanisms for generating ocean currents, temperature, and deep ocean circulation. They are able to assess the formation and breaking of waves and their effect on shorelines, particularly the North Carolina coast. ...
American Chemical Society
Production of a Gas - Controlling a Chemical Reaction
Though the publisher designated this unit for use with third through eighth grades, this particular lesson would be best used with middle schoolers due to the specific measurement skills required. Basically, they set up the reaction...
Curated OER
Transport in Plants
Quite a detailed and advanced look at the transport mechanisms of a plant. The absorption and control of sugar and water concentration are explained and will help an understanding of homeostasis concepts and organ specialization.
Curated OER
Ozark Karst: A Fragile Landform
Young geologists become familiar with the Karst Topography in the Ozark Mountains. They study how human activity has affected the cave ecosystem. They conduct a simulation in which a large development is proposed in the area, and they...
Cornell University
Predicting Chemical Reactions
Prove the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab investigation. A well-designed lesson asks groups to combine materials and monitor indicators for chemical reactions. Measuring the mass of the reactants and products allows individuals...
NOAA
Ocean Primary Production
A cold seep is an area on the ocean floor where hydrocarbons leak from the earth, creating entire unique biomes. Learners explore cold seeps, photosynthesis in the ocean, and its limitations due to loss of sunlight. They further explore...
American Chemical Society
Soda Can Steam Engine
Steam engines have been around since the late 1600s, yet most pupils don't know how they work. Using an soda can, the instructor builds a simple steam engine for scholars to observe. Through a discussion, young scientists learn about the...
Cornell University
Chemical Reactions
Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for comparison.
Curated OER
It's A Gas!
Fifth graders complete a worksheet which has them place a list of gases in order from the least to the most dense. The density in grams is given for each. There's a good paragraph which provides background knowledge about the volatility...
Curated OER
Evergreen's Green Team Energy Audit
Students investigate the ways energy is used at their school and how it can be changed. In this energy lesson, students participate in a service project related to energy. Students record and calculate changes that saved energy and the...
Curated OER
Science Jeopardy - The Earth Sciences
The earth sciences are the focus for this Jeopardy-style review game. Categories include geology, space, scientific investigation, meteorology, and oceanography. Diagrams and pictures are involved with most of the questions, making this...
Curated OER
Tox Mystery Quiz
In this identifying toxic products instructional activity quiz, learners read the location where items are found and a question about the products, and choose a multiple choice answer. Students choose 27 answers.
Curated OER
Rate of Photosynthesis
Students investigate the rate of photosynthesis using elodea leaves. In this photosynthesis lesson plan, students place elodea in a test tube filled with water. They include baking soda and place the test tube under a lamp. Students...
Curated OER
Density Phenomena-Using the Concept of Density
Young scholars investigate the concept of density by observing demonstrations. In this density lesson plan, students make observations while the teacher demonstrates the Cartesian diver, a density column, a candle trough, a wave bottle,...
Curated OER
Remote Sensing
Students study the effects of global warming on specific organisms. They research the possible problems global warming is causing.
Curated OER
Density Demonstration: Coke vs. Diet Coke
In this density demonstration, students compare a can of diet coke to a can of regular coke. They list the similarities and differences of each prior to the demonstration. The cans are placed in a tank of water and students record their...