It's About Time
Detect and Induce Currents
Young scientists recreate an 1820 experiment and build off of it to investigate how to detect and induce electrical currents. As a final activity, scholars answer questions in multiple formats.
Curated OER
So Many Inventions!
Students read two books about Chinese inventions such as the compass, kite or dominoes. They bring in examples of Chinese inventions from home and create a class gallery. They make a compass in class.
Curated OER
Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
Students draw series and parallel electrical circuits. For this electromagnet lesson, students describe how current changes depend on circuit components. Students use an OHT of a series and parallel circuit to predict the path of...
It's About Time
Electromagnets
Young scientists build their own electromagnet and test it by picking up paperclips. Analysis questions evaluate knowledge at the end of the activity.
NASA
Eclipse Activity Guide
Ever made solar s'mores? Or recreated the solar system using peanuts? Astronomers young and old investigate all things solar using a variety of activities. Explore how the sun works, types of light it emits, and methods of charting the...
Curated OER
Where in the World? The Basics of Latitude and Longitude
Students are introduced to the concepts of latitude and longitude. In groups, they identify the Earth's magnetic field and the disadvantages of using compasses for navigation. They identify the major lines of latitude and longitude on a...
Curated OER
The Founder of Electromagnetism
Students identify and study the founder of electromagnetism. In this magnetism lesson students complete several experiments including building a galvanometer.
Curated OER
What is an Electromagnet?
Students give examples of electromagnet applications. In this physics lesson, students explore what makes electromagnets work. They experiment picking paper clips with it.
Curated OER
Investigating the Types of Energy in Different Objects
Students investigate forms of energy. In this physical science energy lesson, students work with a partner classifying household items according to the type of energy they have. Students complete a related worksheet.
Curated OER
Motion and Forces
Eighth graders define the terms: magnetism, poles, compass, magnetic field, lines of force, electromagnet. They name two properties shared by all magnets and describe how one magnet will affect another.
Curated OER
Orienteering
Young scholars study navigation skills when a compass is unavailable. They are timed as they move quickly through a predetermined arrangement of numbered traffic cones . They straddle over the cone and read the bearing found on the...
Curated OER
Making an Electromagnet
Learners explore electromagnetic forces. In this electromagnetic lesson plan, students construct a working electromagnet and conduct a series of experiments to see what increases the strength of an electromagnet.
Curated OER
Using Magnetotactic Bacteria to Study Natural Selection
High schoolers demonstrate that living organisms may possess incredible adaptations which enable them to survive. They observe bacteria that are able to orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field and formulate a hypothesis as to...
Curated OER
Jupiter's "Monstrous" Magnetosphere
Students explore Jupiter's magnetosphere. In this Jupiter lesson, students examine a diagram of the magnetic field that surrounds Jupiter.
Curated OER
Wilderness Training
Students explore how to prepare for a wilderness journey. In this wilderness survival instructional activity, students construct a compass from a magnet and a sewing needle.
Curated OER
Solar Car Series: Angle/Energy Amount
Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...
Curated OER
History of Physics
In this history worksheet, students use the questions to discover meaningful science and history connections. The worksheet is meant to be viewed online to access individual answers.
Curated OER
Location
Students explore the tools used by Columbus to chart his latitude. They study the change of a location over time.
Curated OER
Water Pollution Lesson Plan: All Messed Up
Students map and calculate the area of the school parking lot and then the volume of water falling on the school parking lot. They map the route surface runoff will take to the nearest water body and describe the roles that human...
Curated OER
Show Me the Way To Go Home
Students place a pencil perpendicular to the ground and trace its shadow between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. They measure the length of the shadow, periodically over several hours, in either English or Metric units. Using the data, they find...
PHET
Science and Engineering Conference
Young scientists present their experimental designs from the previous experiment. The ninth lesson in the series outlines what learners should present, what class discussions should happen, and the solution NASA came up with for the same...
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Curated OER
What are Metamorphic Rocks and How are They Formed?
Even though the student handouts are not included in the write-up, this lesson contains the instructions for terrific activities to use when teaching middle schoolers about metamorphic rocks. First, they compare granite to gneiss and...
K12 Reader
Galileo and His Telescope
Learn about Galileo Galilei's contribution to modern science with a reading passage that focuses on reading comprehension. After kids read several paragraphs about his life, they answer five questions about the information they have just...