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.
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Building a Paper Bridge: an Introduction To Problem Solving
Eighth graders explore problem solving strategies to build a paper bridge with a partner. As a class they discuss a variety of techniques to solve a simple problem, then in pairs construct the longest non-supported single span bridge...
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Forces and Motion
Fourth graders study straight line motion and the forces that affect motion, including the terms force, gravity, and speed. They determine that gravity, weight, and other forces have an effect on speed and motion.
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Cover Your Mouth Please!
Second graders investigate how to slow the spread of germs from coughing and sneezing. In this illness prevention lesson, 2nd graders talk about why people cough and sneeze before telling about ways to prevent the spread of germs. They...
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The Attack of the Manhole Monsters
Students explore the concept of similarity. They examine such topics as ratio of corresponding sides, internal ratios and scaling factors. After watching a video, student groups perform experiments outside the school building.
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Height versus Shoe Size
Pupils find a correlation between a person's height and his/her shoe size. They have access to entering data into lists on a graphing calculator and can complete scatter plots. Students read and interpret a scatter plot and use the...
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Exploring the Hudson in 1609
Learners follow the journey of Henry Hudson down the river with his name. Using journal entries and maps, they learn about its exploration. They use maps to identify stages of the journey, and practice converting distances into miles.
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NetsS.A. of Prisms
Young scholars build nets of three-dimensional prisms based on the dimensions they are given for hexagonal prism, triangular prism, rectangular prism. Working in groups, they use their prisms and calculate the Surface Area and Lateral Area.
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Egg Walk Challenge
Students design plastic shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. In this pressure lesson, students consider all the factors needed to design shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. Students calculate the PSI pressure, the force...
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Introduction to Seed Germination
Students explore seed germination. In this life science lesson, students start seeds in Petri dishes, then observe which ones germinate and make predictions.
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"And The Wind Blows..."
Students investigate a scenario involving the efficient use of wind power. They are challenged to ten grams of cargo a specified distance using only wind power.
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The Mini-Me People Iditarod
Students participate in the "Iditarod" sled race. In this Iditarod lesson, students build their own sleds and pull their classmates to checkpoints. They use mushing terms and get timed to see how fast they go.
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A Distant View
Students investigate the essential concepts of how lenses work to magnify vision, and then build simple telescopes to demonstrate their understanding. They write a description of how their telescope could be improved and how it works.
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Under Pressure
Students view a video clip on dams. They discuss how the dam is reinforced and how it holds the pressure of water. They participate in an activity in which they use liter bottles to represent the dam.
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Cultural Capital
Students research the adaptation and acculturation of immigrant groups in the United States. They create culture capsules aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of new peoples in American society.
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Tidal Pools
Students analyze the survival needs of different organisms and the conditions in a particular area that can affect these survival rates.
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Seed Germination Experiments
Students plant seeds. In this seed germination experiment, students conduct an experiment where seeds can be observed and their growth documented. Students can also view a virtual web germination to record data. This lesson includes an...
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Ball-Launcher Design
Third graders use a simple design process to solve the problem of launching a ping pong ball the farthest distance. They discuss the design process, and in small groups, design, build, and test a launching device that adheres a variety...
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Crash Test Smarties
Students share hypotheses about the variables needed to produce a collision between two moving objects. They simulate the impact of a moving object on an object that creates a spray of debris, and simulate a NASA Deep Impact study.
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A Different World?
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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States of Matter and Chemical/Physical Changes Stations
Students break into four groups, starting at different stations. Each station should take about 10 minutes depending on prior knowledge of the topic. They then rotate when everyone is finished to the next station and discuss answers of...
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Using Your Senses
Young scholars make observations. In this sensory skills instructional activity, students use their senses as well as tools that sharpen their senses to make observations regarding foods and other items.
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Food Math
Students brainstorm healthy food choices. In this health science lesson, students calculate how much of each food group they need daily. They plan a menu based on the "MyPyramid for Kids" food guide.
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Flutter Farm
Students create their own butterfly garden and follow a participation plan to ensure that everyone will have a hand in the garden. In this gardening lesson plan, 5th graders log their progress with their garden by taking photos, and...