Curated OER
When Land Ice Melts
The Artctic and Antarctic Ice caps are the focus of this Earth science lesson. In reality, this is more of a demonstration than a lesson, but there is some rich discussion that happens before, during, and after the demonstration takes...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle - Main Components
Present the water cycle to your middle schoolers with this instructional activity. After an anticipatory set, they participate in a Q & A session about the terms associated with the water cycle: evaporation, transpiration,...
Curated OER
Lesson: Can-Do Canoe
Collaborative groups work together with a variety of materials to design an eight-inch canoe that floats for at least three minutes. There is no direct instruction involved in this plan, just a list of materials and a procedure for...
Curated OER
The Story of the Solar System
There is more to the solar system than the typical study of the sun and planets. Launch a study of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets by watching the video The Story of the Solar System, available for purchase through this resource on the...
Carnegie Mellon University
Marcellus Shale: Who Pays?
After viewing short clips of unfortunate events, your class will consider two sides of a homeowner's court case, and then learn about the Marcellus shale deposit beneath the state of Pennsylvania and the hydraulic fracturing process. In...
Curated OER
Global Warming
This contains a writing prompt about global warming that could be adapted in a number of ways. The resource provides some information about global warming and possible effects. Learners explore the enhanced greenhouse effect and the...
Curated OER
Rainfall and Water Table
Through inquiry, experimentation, and observation, young scientists see how an increase in rainfall under climate change can affect the water table and soil salinity underground. Young scientists build models that represent the...
Curated OER
Exploring Caves
Students explain why many caves have become National Parks. They determine that caves provide shelter from enemies, and from bad weather in the summer or the winter, and provide certain mineral resources. They discover that ancient art...
Carnegie Mellon University
Hydroelectricity
Use a simple PowerPoint presentation to introduce you environmental studies class to hydropower. Hold a debate about the pros and cons of developing this form of alternative energy. Power up your class with this simple lesson on a topic...
Curated OER
Old Made New
Students explore recycling. In this science lesson, students sort everyday objects based on their properties. Students view examples of items made from recycled paper. Students create recycled paper.
US Department of Energy
Sunlight and Evaporation
Here is a simple inquiry experiment designed to demonstrate that the energy from sunlight can evaporate water. Young scientists follow provided procedural steps to construct a model of our atmosphere using a bowl, a cup, water and...
Curated OER
Science as Inquiry: what is starch and how can we test it?
Sixth graders discuss nutrients and examine foods for starch. In this starch testing lesson, 6th graders use iodine to test foods for starch and record their results. Students complete a worksheet and self reflection.
Curated OER
HISTORY OF SCIENCE: ASTRONAUTS
Students study the pioneers of space exploration and travel; identify some of the early astronauts who prepared the way for others; examine the social and political conditions at the dawn of the Space Age; and differentiate among space...
Curated OER
Rocket Science 101
Students explore the aspects of Newton's First and Third Laws of Motion as they conduct controlled rocketry experiments and analyze the Mars Mission in terms of the principles of rocketry.
Curated OER
Sports Science
Young scholars explore athletes and how they perform. In this physics lesson, students investigate how physics is involved in sports. Young scholars go online to interactive sites that explain physics and biomechanics. Students also...
Curated OER
Exploring the Science of Oil
Students analyze the basic techniques used to find and produce oil. They also create a small project that allows them experiment with solutions to maximize the amount of colorless liquid produced from colored solutions.
Curated OER
Environmental Awareness — Think Global, Act Local
Students identify the different hazardous wastes and the dangers they post to the environment. In this physical science lesson, students brainstorm ways to dispose them properly. They create a short story, song or poem to conclude the...
Curated OER
Science Charades
Students dramatize the wonderful world of nature, without making a sound. In this early childhood creative thinking lesson, students dramatize different aspects of nature to develop creative thinking, reading, memory, and motor skills.
Curated OER
The Nature of Science and Technology
Second graders perform a variety of experiments to observe, form conclusions, and make inferences. In this experiment lesson, 2nd graders experiment based on the result of a pre-assessment. Students share what they have learned.
Curated OER
Inquiry in Science Using an Animal Behavior Model
Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...
Curated OER
Project Energy
Learners explore multiple types of energy. In this energy lesson, students prepare a science fair project through completing a WebQuest. Learners investigate radiant, thermal, and biochemical energy.
Curated OER
Particulate Matter
Seventh graders examine the different types of pollutants. In this environmental science lesson, 7th graders observe particulate matter under a microscope. They explain how these can affect once health when breathed in large quantities...
Curated OER
Mulch
Students conduct a series of experiments on mulching. In this earth science instructional activity, students discuss the benefits of mulching on soil. They explore how different types of mulch affect plant growth.
Curated OER
Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Our Vertebrate Populations
Young scholars explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and graphs.