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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simply Circuitry and Series Circuit

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners investigate a series circuit. In this physical science lesson, students use a battery, switch, and light bulbs to build an electrical circuit. Learners identify the standard symbols being used in electric circuitry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetism

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners investigate the properties of magnets. In this magnetism lesson, students construct a magnetic crane and observe the attraction of metal objects.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore light.  In this light wave physics lesson, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras.  Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of these tools.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Straw Power Tower

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Young scholars build a tower out of straws. In this engineering lesson, students build a tower of straws that must be at least 58 cm tall. The goal is to be the group whose tower can support the most pennies. This lesson gives young...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thirsty Rocks: Please "Porous" a Drink!

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Discover what it means when a stone is porous or permeable. In this geology lesson, investigate a sandstone and complete a lab exercise which displays how porous and permeable a stone can actually be then measure these terms as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plasma Globes and Electricity

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the basic ideas of conductors and insulators. In this electricity lesson, students predict which items will work as insulators or conductors when contact is made with a lightning globe. The students evaluate what they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Special Present

For Teachers K - 8th
Students conduct an experiment to create a special gift. In this special gift lesson, students make a gift for someone using water, Epsom salt, essential oil and food coloring. Students can create a card to go with their present.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jobs in the 21st Century

For Teachers K - 5th
Students understand the tools that will be used in the lab in the 21st century. In this job preparation lesson, students experiment and understand how to use lab equipment. Students will write about the lab tools they've experimented...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Class One Lever?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders understand what a lever is, how it works and what the parts of a lever are. For this first class lever lesson, 5th graders label pictures and design a lab lever. Students predict the outcome of experiments with their lever...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Build an Electric Motor

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders build a working motor. In this lesson on motors, 6th graders use an inquiry method of learning to discover how to create a working electric motor with the supplies given to them. The teacher will guide them as needed....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Terrabagga Activity using a Magnetometer

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students use a magnetometer to determine the orientation of a magnetic field. In this magnetism instructional activity, students build a simulated planet and use a simple magnetometer to determine the orientation of their planet's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Luge

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students investigate the concepts of gravity and force. In this forces and energy lesson plan, students construct a luge track to be used to test the speed of various objects sliding along its surface.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mr. and Miss Big Feet

For Teachers 3rd
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy of Decay

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the decaying of organic matter. In this physical science lesson, students view a video of how organic material is harvested as an energy source. Students find uses for an old piece of fruit.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! Shoot the Loop

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners experiment with a steel ball and matchbox car to find the effects of force and motion. In this force and motion lesson, students assemble a track, conduct experiments and record on a shoot the loop worksheet. Learners change the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Machines All Around Us

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify simple machines. In this physics lesson, students explore different rooms in the school building, looking for simple machines. Students use a digital camera to take pictures of the simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Clouds Activity

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars understand how clouds are formed. In this cloud lesson, students participate in three experiments to make clouds. Young scholars complete activity sheets for each experiment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vocabulary Bursting with Energy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students review key physics terms using a Visual Thesaurus. In this science lesson, student groups compete against each other to correctly identify "imposter" words from a list of related physics vocabulary terms.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Light Is

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Students explore the properties of light. In this light instructional activity, students investigate visible light by viewing a website, examining an electromagnetic spectrum chart, and observing light demonstrations. Students write...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Science Behind Glow-in-the-Dark Toys

For Students 6th - 9th
In this glow-in-the-dark activity, students read about substances that phosphor and their characteristics. Students also read about photo luminescence and glow-in-the-dark toys. They answer 6 questions about the light emitted by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PRIMARY Activity: Racing Jars

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners explore how mass affects speed in this hands-on physics experiment. In this mass and speed lesson, students fill a baby food jar with water and leave a second jar empty. They roll the 2 jars down a ramp to observe which jar will...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooking with the Sun!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker lesson, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Students complete a worksheet on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Water with a Splash of Color

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore the properties of water. In this cross curriculum art and physical science instructional activity, students experiment with a variety of materials to demonstrate the cohesive forces and adhesion of water. Young...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Identifying Materials by their Reflectivity

For Students 8th - 10th
In this reflectivity worksheet, students read about the absorption and reflectivity of light by different materials. Students solve 4 problems and determine the composition of given materials based on the amount of light reflected. They...