Polar Bears International
Taking Action!
Motivate young scientists to stand up and take action with this environmental science instructional activity. To begin, the class works in small groups brainstorming actions that support the conservation of the earth before creating and...
Oklahoma State University
Hairy Heredity
Young scholars learn that heredity comes down to the flip of a coin with this cross-curricular math and science lesson. Using smiley faces as a model, students toss coins to determine which dominant or recessive traits will be passed on...
Centers for Ocean Sciences
Ocean and Great Lakes Literacy: Principle 1
Is your current lesson plan for salt and freshwater literacy leaving you high and dry? If so, dive into part one of a seven-part series that explores the physical features of Earth's salt and freshwater sources. Junior hydrologists...
Curated OER
Physical Properties of Matter
Students examine the physical properties of matter. They identify and classify a variety of objects based on their physical properties.
University of Southern California
Design and Test an Air Lift Siphon
Build an air lift siphon using your mad physics skills! Learners first investigate the importance of circulating water in aquaponics systems. They then use density to their advantage as they engineer an air lift siphon
Curated OER
States of Water
Students investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" lesson, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Students observe the effect heat has on changing...
Curated OER
Games on Echolocation
Get a little batty with life science! This fun simulation game replicates how bats use echolocation to hunt moths in their native Hawaiian habitat. After creating blind folds and discussing some basic principles of echolocation, students...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Understanding Wave Motion - Slinky vs. Snaky: Which Spring is Dominant?
Ride the wave to an understanding of refraction! The first in a series of two inquiry-based lessons challenges learners to create transverse waves with two different types of springs. As their wave hits an object, they observe the change...
Teach Engineering
Circuits
Don't know how to make the initial connection on electric circuits? This lesson provides the background to present the introductory vocabulary to learning about electric circuits. It is organized in a meaningful progression with an...
Curated OER
Simple Circuit: Electric Currents and Circuits
Through inquiry and exploration, 4th graders will learn and understand the functions of open and closed circuits. They will break into 2 groups, define vocabulary, hypothesize how to light a bulb, then test their hypothesis 4 different...
Cornell University
Investigating and Modeling Hardness
Model hardness testing with a self-designed hardness test. Young scholars rate the hardness of different types of aspirin using the Vicker's Hardness scale. They then relate hardness to the solubility of each aspirin tablet.
Teach Engineering
Alloy Advantage
Mix it up by using an intriguing resource that teaches young metallurgists that alloys are a metal mixture. They learn about the advantages of using alloys over pure metals and investigate titanium alloys as an example to finish the...
Curated OER
Waves
Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science instructional activity designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and...
Acoustical Society of America
Musical Instruments: Part I
Pupils construct and play various musical instruments made from straws and bottles. They investigate how changes in their instruments result in tone changes. Learners change the lengths and amount of water in the instruments and record...
Curated OER
Light Reflections
Young scholars explore light. In this physical science light lesson, students display objects on a projection screen and investigate how light absorbs, refracts, transmits and reflects. Young scholars discuss common features of light...
Curated OER
The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. For this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method lesson, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the rebound, then record...
Curated OER
Water Cycle Activities
Explore the water cycle in all aspects with a resource packed full of activities and lessons. The 37-page packet comes with vocabulary, a game, writing prompts, printables, and opportunities to journey through the stages in the water...
Curated OER
Long Island Beach Life
Have your class learn about marine life through this resource. This comprehensive instructional activity has learners discuss marine life, learn key vocabulary, discuss environmental concerns, and play games related to migration and...
Curated OER
Radiation and You
Internet research on nuclear radiation is conducted by young physicists. They discover how our understanding of radiation developed, define vocabulary terms, and explore how ozone protects us from the sun's harmful radiation. Several...
Curated OER
Concrete Research
Students explore concrete. In this physical science and computer research instructional activity, students work in groups to answer specific questions about concrete. Each group of students completes a different worksheet with a...
Curated OER
Gravity Launch
Young scholars examine how gravity affects launching rockets into space. In this physical science instructional activity, students review the concept of gravity and use an interactive online site, "Gravity Launch," to simulate a rocket...
Curated OER
Investigating the Relationship of Mass to Volume
Third graders explore the relationship of mass to volume. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders participate in an investigation with a several materials and measure the mass and volume using scientific tools. Students discuss and...
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.
eGFI
Design a Thermostat
Using a thermostat is an eco-friendly way to control indoor climate. Young engineers practice building electric circuits by designing and constructing a thermostat. Plenty of background information, a vocabulary list, links to the...