National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Physical Science Reference Sheet
Need a quick reference sheet for a physical science class? A helpful single-page sheet contains the periodic table of elements, a chart of metric prefixes, a display of the electromagnetic spectrum, and several physical science formulas.
Urbana School District
Physics Intro, Kinematics, Graphing
Some consider physics the branch of science concerned with using long and complicated formulas to describe how a ball rolls. This presentation, while long, is not complicated, yet it covers rolling, falling, and more. It compares vectors...
Curated OER
Hinode Sees Mysterious Solar Micro-Flares
In this solar micro-flares learning exercise, students read about the X-ray bright spots that the Hinode satellite's X-ray Telescope detected on the sun's surface. Students determine the scale of the image, the dimensions of the smallest...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Quantum Dots
Does the size of a sample change the physical properties of that substance? It turns out it can! Young scientists combine physics and chemistry to synthesize CdSe quantum dots and record their color properties. Learners should notice a...
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Not many lessons on states of matter can hold a candle to this one! Junior chemists gauge the density of paraffin in both liquid and solid phases. They fill 60 mL syringes with different materials to experiment with compressibility and...
Curated OER
Numeration Systems
In this physics worksheet, students complete 19 questions on binary numeration system. They explain how this system is used to operate computers.
Curated OER
Micro-organism Immune System Tag
Students play a game of tag and reinforce their understanding of the immune system.
Curated OER
The Effect of Dissolved Salt on the Boiling Point of Water
Explore the properties of solutions with a lab activity. Chemistry fans determine the boiling point of water, add salt to create a solution, and then repeat the process four more times. They design their own data table and then graph the...
Curated OER
Newton's Second Law
Three memorable activities build on each other to give physics masters a firm grasp of Newton's Second Law. Pupils play with a lab cart on a flat surface and on an incline to confirm that force is equal to mass times acceleration. In the...
NOAA
Oceans of Energy
Are the earth's oceans really just giant batteries, waiting for their energy to be harnessed? Middle school mechanical engineers will be shocked by the amazing amount of energy that forms around them after diving into part four of a...
Curated OER
Water is Life
Krill is a very small ocean animal that is key to keeping the ocean ecosystem going. The class reviews food webs and chains, learns about the importance of krill, discusses krill anatomy, builds a model of a krill, and then has a...
Science Friday
Microorganisms on the Move
You can't b. cereus until you see this lesson! Young microbiologists learn to prepare deep well slides, observe two types of microorganisms, and compare and contrast their physical characteristics in this interactive and lively activity.
Curated OER
Human Evolution: Biology, Bones
Learners will love a weeks worth of bone study. They use bones and characteristics of bones to explore the evolution of hominoids. Bones are compared, categorized, and considered. A great way to bring physical anthropology and material...
Curated OER
Star Wars® Dodge Ball
Put a new, action-filled spin on a classic game with Star Wars® Dodge Ball. Scholars turn into Jedis and lightsabers are used to save peers from sitting on the sidelines, all the while a bombardment of balls fly towards moving targets.
Curated OER
Reversible and irreversible changes
Students define the words "reversible" and "irreversible." They complete a worksheet that shows a number of changes. Students must decide which are reversible and which are irreversible.
Curated OER
Micro-Reaction Lab: Gas Prouducing Reactions
Students investigate single displacement or double displacement reactions. They have to identify the type of gas produced by filling in the blanks to a data and observation sheet. Also, having to be done is writing balanced equations for...
Curated OER
Micro-Reaction Lab: Double Replacement
Students demonstrate reactions that occur between two aqueous solutions. The driving force of the reaction is the formation of an insoluble product. They have to follow a series of directions and then record their observations and data...
Curated OER
School Climate
Young scholars examine school climate in relation to the physical structure of the school building. A Luann cartoon can be used to stimulate thinking and promote discussion which focuses on feelings of alienation that can occur in large...
Curated OER
Microscope Investigation
Students explore physical science by participating in a science examination. In this microscope tutorial instructional activity, students read the book The Naked Eye and discuss the purpose for using a microscope in the field of science....
Curated OER
Sound and Hearing
Young scholars form an understanding that there are many different types of sound. The core concepts are presented in the most basic form for elementary school. Also students investigate how sound travels.
Curated OER
Battery Type and Size
Students identify the different types of batteries available in the market. In this science lesson, students discuss how to select the right batteries for a car.
Curated OER
The Gene Scene
Students investigate the concepts of micro and macro evolution. They also research the effects of mutations in the process of genetic adaptation to different environments. They develop a hypothesis of how the environment can influence...
Curated OER
Arsenic and Human Health
Ninth graders concentrate on arsenic poisoning as an example of the connections among health, geography, and geology as they develop a persuasive presentation about the dangers of arsenic in the drinking water, targeting a specific...
Curated OER
Make a Pinhole Viewer
In this light worksheet, students construct a pinhole viewer using a paper box, wax paper, tape and a pushpin. They answer six questions about their observations, the orientation of the images they saw, and the results of their experiment.