Curated OER
Lenses and Mirrors
Students investigate lenses and mirrors showing how they bend and reflect light waves.
Curated OER
Cells: The Units of Life
In this biology learning exercise on cells, 9th graders name who the first person was to use the word cell and describe in what materials this person saw cells. Then they determine what instrument uses light and two or more lenses to...
Curated OER
Reflect and Refract
Students explore light. In this properties of light lesson, students define the terms refract, reflect, and diffract after listening to the teacher's description. Students listen to the book Light Magic and observe a spoon in a glass of...
Curated OER
What is an Earthworm Like?
Second graders study earthworms. In this science instructional activity, 2nd graders observe an earthworm using a magnifying lens, draw pictures of the earthworm, and record their observations.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Introduction to Trees and Wood
Students examine samples from various types of trees. In this trees and wood lesson, students review The Giving Tree and complete a KWL chart on trees. Students brainstorm what we get from trees and view wood samples with hand lenses....
Curated OER
What to Do with a $20 Bill Besides Spend It
Students explore the concept of anti-counterfeiting measure. In this economics lesson, students use science equipment to discover anti-counterfeiting designs. Students then explore other denominations of bills.
Curated OER
Butterfly Pavilion
Students learn about butterflies through books and observation in a butterfly pavilion. In this butterfly pavilion lesson, students use hand lenses to observe the metamorphosis of the butterfly and record in their journals. Students feed...
Curated OER
Temperate Forest : Pacific Spirit Field Trip
Students examine nurse logs with hand lenses and identify animals. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students gain understanding of the rainforest by studying nurse logs. Students become familiar with vocabulary through their study of...
Michigan Technological University
Giant Mirrors
Did you know some retailers use curved mirrors in their fitting rooms to make customers look thinner? Pupils view themselves in convex and concave mirrors to understand the difference. The resource includes big ideas for multiple age...
Curated OER
What Parts Are There to a Plant?
Learners explore botany by completing plant science worksheets. In this plant anatomy instructional activity, students examine real vegetables in class using magnifying glasses. Learners identify the plants anatomy and complete...
Curated OER
Light and Optics
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
Curated OER
A View of the Cell
In this viewing of a cell worksheet, learners will read a paragraph about how microscopes work and will use a diagram of a light microscope to complete 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Applied Science-Science and Math Lab
Learners explore magnification. In this scientific observation skills lesson, students observe sea life items and draw pictures of what they observe. Learners predict which lens will have the strongest magnification when given three...
Curated OER
Calculations Related to the Microscope
Students examine microscopes and how to calculate total magnification. For this calculations lesson students complete an activity of calculations.
Curated OER
Satellite Eyes
Students explore the ways in which satellite images provide details of the Earth's surface and how they are capable of taking digital images of the Earth from space they vary in resolution and breadth. They view how cameras and lenses...
Curated OER
Hey, Look Me Over!
Students make observations about mealworms using hand lenses, rulers, and cotton swabs. Students complete their own mealworm observation chart, then they share their observations with the class. This is one station out of five in an...
Curated OER
Living Organisms
Third graders examine pond water samples using hand lenses while working in small groups. They find specimens of living organisms in the water samples. Finally, the draw a picture of the organisms and label them using descriptive...
Curated OER
Heat from Light
Second graders explore solar energy. In this science lesson, 2nd graders use hand lenses to see that light energy can be converted to heat energy.
Cornell University
Forensic Science: Case of the Missing Diamond Maker
Someone stole a diamond-making machine. Who done it? Scholars use forensic science at six different stations to determine the culprit. They analyze fingerprints, use their senses, and complete chemistry experiments to determine the...
SeaWorld
Animal Husbandry
Learners study how changes in the environment can drastically affect the survival of an animal. After a class discussion, pupils are divided up into groups and are given the task of coming up with the best environment to allow brine...
Cornell University
Diffraction Demystified
Study diffraction patterns using CDs and DVDs! Scholars measure the diffraction patterns of a light wave as it hits a CD or DVD. Using the information, they can measure the distance between the tracks.
Curated OER
Life Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly
Students identify the stage of the butterfly's life cycle. In this life cycles lesson plan, students create a KWL chart about monarch butterflies. Students observe monarch caterpillars in an aquarium and identify the various stages of...
Science Friday
Ugh, a Bug!
Young entomologists familiarize themselves with the physical characteristics of insects. Composed of two activities, each instructional activity involves your scientists tapping into their prior knowledge of bugs and making observations...