Curated OER
Classifying Rocks
Students classify rocks into groups after they observe the rocks and identify properties that can be used to divide them into groups.  They then identify other properties that could be used to classify other objects into groups.
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students create an "animated" water cycle wheel that illustrates where water comes from and where it goes.
Curated OER
Fossil Guide
Students produce a "Fossil Guide" that covers twelve fossils and includes a drawing and written description for each fossil.  The written description should include such things as size, shape, and general appearance.
Curated OER
Aerology- The Study of Mars
Learners investigate various aspects of the planet Mars. They examine a core sample that is simulated to make observations. Then compare the known sample with one that is unknown and differentiate between the two. Students hypothesize...
Curated OER
Charting the Moon
Sixth graders observe changes in the moon's appearance over a month and keep records of their observations. They write a plan for recording what they see, and a paragraph reflecting on what they have learned over the course of the month.
Curated OER
Do Human Practices Affect Water Quality?
Students determine if human practices have any noticeable effects on the quality of stream life as measured by the presence of certain macroinvertebrates. They collect, preserve and identify macroinvertibrate samples and quantify the data.
Curated OER
The Effect of Moisture on Soil Temperature
Young scholars analyze the relationship between soil moisture and its effect on soil temperature.
NASA
Project X-51
In a nose-cone to nose-cone competition, which rocket will prevail? Teams form rocket companies to design and build a rocket while competing against other teams in an economic challenge. The team that comes up with the best benefit/cost...
Discovery Education
It's Getting Hot in Here
Class members engage in a STEM experiment and investigate how materials affect heating in a house by creating models of houses and using different top surface materials. They record the temperature inside the models and consider what the...
Curated OER
Milestones of Flight
Students identify significant milestones in the history of flight. In this aviation history activity, students study various resource materials and construct timelines of significant achievements.
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers.  In this environmental lesson plan, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on...
Curated OER
A Frog's Life Story
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets.  In this biology instructional activity, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death.  Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as...
Curated OER
Does Shape Affect Drag?
Students study drag and how it affects a parachute in the sky.  In this parachutes lesson students build models and compare their drag. 
Curated OER
Does Weight Affect Drag?
Young scholars investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall.  In this investigative lesson plan students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.
Curated OER
Constructing a Spectroscope
Pupils construct a simple spectroscope. They observe the emission spectrum produce by a source of light.
Curated OER
Changes Close To Home
Middle schoolers interview the senior citizens in their community.  While interviewing them, they identify perceptions they have about the local climate.  Using the internet, the compare the results of the interview to those of public...
BSCS Science Learning
Bscs: Bscs Middle School Science
BSCS Middle School Science is a standards and inquiry-based program comprised of four units: Earth/Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Science and Society. The curriculum is available free online for teachers.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Map Making Basics
This activity will help students discover some features as they create a geologic map.
Harvard University
Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground: The Earth's Orbit
Students perform many inquiry activities related to Earth's orbit. Included are recording daily temperatures, observing the sun's path over several weeks, tracking sunrise and sunset times, and angle of sunlight. Diagrams make lessons...
Other
Elementary Science Program: Astronomy, Gr. 5 8
"Astronomy is the science that studies the Earth, the Moon and other objects in space. It has helped us discover our place in the physical universe. It is still making discoveries." This landing page gives options for students and...
Other
Lehigh University: Climate Change
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on weather and climate. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about Earth system energy balance, greenhouse gases, paleoclimatology, and how...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Geology of the Credit River at Hidden Valley Park
For this earth science lesson, young scholars investigate the characteristics of the Credit River in an interdisciplinary inquiry based investigation. They will determine the speed the water moves, identify rocks and sediments in the...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: Second Time Around
What is the recycling process? Why is it important to recycle? Through the activities on this page, students explore the answers to these questions, encourage others to recycle, present skits on the effects of recycling, and more.
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