Curated OER
Bottle Rocket Launcher
Students construct a bottle rocket launcher for use with the Bottle Rocket and Project X-35 activities. They construct a bottle launcher from "off-the-shelf" hardware and wood using simple tools.
Curated OER
Aqua-Thrusters!
Students construct their own rocket-powered boat called an "aqua-thruster." These aqua-thrusters will be made from a film canister and will use carbon dioxide gas - produced from a chemical reaction between an antacid tablet and water -...
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Paper Helicopters
In this paper helicopter worksheet, students design and experiment making a paper helicopter to explore how some things fall and how varying the size of the rotor blades affect the way a helicopter spins.
Curated OER
Sweet Twinkies, Density and Sugar Chomping Yeast: A Look at Physical and Chemical Reactions in the Kitchen
Students investigate matter. In this physical science lesson plan, students will learn about matter, physical states, and reactions. There are a series of four lab activities that will be conducted.
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Mobile Forces
Learners design and build original mobiles and consider how the forces of gravity and convection air currents affect the finished piece. They explore how an understanding of balancing forces is important in both art and engineering design.
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Mr. and Miss Big Feet
Third graders experiment with gravitational force. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders send matchbox cars off a ramp while changing the amount of weight attached to the car. Students record their data and discuss the results.
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Special Edition: World Space Congress 2002: The New Face of Space
Learners experience and study how space offers expanding resources for commerce, science, technology and education. They view how advances in space can and do improve life on Earth. Each student views a geological exploration within this...
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The Historical Development of Magnetism
Students discuss the history and importance of magnets to the world. In this magnetism lesson plan, students write an essay of a world without magnets. Students may research addition information to add details about uses of magnets.
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Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm
Students read Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen Harold. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of balloons. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
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Energetic Atoms - Active & Spaced Out
Students discover the power of the sun through an outdoor experiment. In this solar power lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on atoms before they complete an atom worksheet. Students utilize a solar bag to demonstrate the...
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The Same but Different Part II
Third graders experiment with beakers of water and balloons to measure the volume of the gas in the balloon. They determine ways to change the volume of air in the balloon which changes its size but not its physical state. By heating the...
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THE ROLE OF A CONTROL IN THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Pupils study the role of controls. They discuss variables and list conditions, that if not kept the same for both flasks, could effect the outcome of the experiment. They come up with most of the following: Amount and temperature of the...
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Determining Momentum and Energy Loss of Balls Colliding Against Different Surfaces
Students experiment with the bounce of balls on various surfaces. In this physics lesson plan, students use various surfaces to bounce balls to study the momentum. This hands-on activity with the concepts of elasticity of surfaces which...
DiscoverE
Keep-a-Cube
Waxed paper, newspaper, or aluminum foil? Keeping an ice cube from melting may require one or more of these materials. Learners design a box that will provide insulation so an ice cube stays intact for at least 90 minutes.
Teach Engineering
Insulation Materials Investigation
Don't melt away! Pairs investigate different insulation materials to determine which one is better than the others. Using a low-temp heat plate, the teams insulate an ice cube from the heat source with a variety of substances. They...
DiscoverE
Rocket-Powered Ski Lift
If a ski lift had rockets, imagine how fast it would be! Scholars let their imaginations take flight as they build models for such a ski lift. Rather than using a rocket, though, they'll use a much safer balloon as the power source.
Curated OER
Thinking Like a Scientist
Learners explore the scientific method. Students identify the steps in the scientific method and explain what each step means. Learners use these steps to determine if boys or girls are taller in their classroom.
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Chemical Changes to Matter
Students analyze the causes of corrosion. In this chemistry lesson plan, students investigate what is necessary to cause chemical changes in matter. Students discover the causes of rust and tooth decay.
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Balloon Jets
Students investigate how fuel amount affects the distance traveled by balloons. In this physics instructional activity, students collect data and create a pictograph. They interpret data and formulate a conclusion.
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Making A Natural pH Indicator
Students make their own pH indicator from red cabbage. Red cabbage contains a chemical that turns from its natural deep purple color to red in acids and blue in bases. Students boil the cabbage to get the pH indicator.
Curated OER
Observing Buffers In Lakes, Ponds And Streams
Students observe the effects of limestone on the acidity of water. Some areas of the nation have a lot of limestone in lake bottoms and in soil, which helps neutralize the effects of acid rain. Students see this effect first hand.
Curated OER
Determining The pH Of Common Substances
Learners use a pH indicator to measure the pH of some fruits, common beverages, and borax. Students discover how to differentiate between an object that is an acid or a base.
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Picket Fence Free Fall
Students measure acceleration using a Picket Fence and a Photogate. In this physics instructional activity, students drop an object and measure the acceleration of the object free falling. They log their data using the TI.
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The Water Cycle
Students access prior knowledge of the water cycle by completing a KWL. In this water cycle lesson, students follow the movement of water through the water cycle.