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Motions and Forces
Sixth graders investigate the construction of a magnet and the force it produces. They identify various materials as magnetic or non-magnetic, discuss the properties of magnetic properties, and conduct an experiment with a compass and...
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Photosynthesis
Sixth graders are introduced to the process of photosynthesis by discussion and then by participating in an experiment. They then answer questions as independent practice project.
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Interdisciplinary Task: Weather
Students design a chart to use to record the weather for five days. They then build an anemometer to record wind speed and discover why they are used for this purpose.
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Lightning
Young scholars investigate lightning. In this lightning lesson, students demonstrate how static electricity is in the air by observing how a balloon reacts to a charge.
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Population Needs vs. Population Deeds
Learners examine the recent population explosion of the world. After watching a demonstration on closed systems, they identify the role humans have on the depletion of natural resources and lowering the standard of living. To end the...
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Plants Vocabulary Crossword
In this plants crossword puzzle worksheet, learners use a set of definition clues about plants to complete a 15 word crossword puzzle. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
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Energy Flow - How Much Biomass do Plants Produce?
Young scholars explore the concept of biomass. In this plant lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to observe plant growth and biomass.
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Medicine: Then and Now
Students read ancient Greek texts to explore ancient healing practices and compare them to those of modern times. They explain Greek healing practices for wounds.
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Moon Light Through the Month
Learners work in small groups to arrange moon phase cards into the correct sequence. The goal is to circle as many consecutive numbers as possible in two minutes.
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How Does a Satellite Stay in Orbit?
Students explore placing a satellite into orbit, then about forces needed to keep an object in orbit. They examine how satellites orbit in elliptical paths and about properties of ellipses. They learn Kepler's 3rd Law of Planetary Motion
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The Greenhouse Effect
Middle schoolers investigate the greenhouse effect and why it happens.
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Weathering and Erosion: Some Ways the Hydrosphere Affects the Geosphere
Students explain the causes of erosion, describe the effects of erosion, and devise a method of preventing erosion. They model the before-and-after-effects of erosion.
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Exploring the Planets
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. In this astronomy based lesson, 6th graders compare planets, explore comets, and discover planet facts through a variety of activities provided by the Smithsonian Museum.
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What are the Challenges?
Students discuss energy. In this energy challenges lesson, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided.
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Asteroids
Students examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.
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Student Exploration: Phases of the Moon
In this moon phase worksheet, learners complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use the "Phase of the Moon Gizmo" to complete several activities, answering short answer questions when finished.
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PLATE TECTONICS WITH AN ORANGE
Students explore the concept of plate tectonics. They experiment to prove and explain plate tectonics.
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Hello, Anybody Out There?
Young scholars understand that people believe there may be life in other solar systems. For this communication with other solar systems lesson, students analyze our planet and write things they want to communicate to other solar systems.
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Chesapeake Scramble
In this animals at Chesapeake Bay learning exercise, students find out about the animals that live at Chesapeake Bay by completing a word scramble. Students complete 4 word scrambles.
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Why Your Ears Pop
In this ears worksheet, students read about what causes your ears to pop when you change altitude and about equalizing air pressure. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
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Energy and the Environment: What Can We Do?
Pupils consider the impacts of global warming and brainstorm ways to help decrease their contribution to the problem. In this climate change lesson plan, students are exposed to facts concerning global warming and think of ways to...
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Flying Through the Solar System
Learners create a model of the solar system out of candy. They write a book about their travels through the Solar System, beginning at age ten and reaching Pluto at age seventy.
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Stellar Magnitudes
Middle schoolers analyze the stellar magnitude scale. In this stellar magnitude lesson, students examine the stellar magnitude scale. Middle schoolers predict the Sun's magnitude from various planets.
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The Best of the Solar System (Grades 4-7)
Students explore planetary research and become familiar with the planets and their characteristics. They compare and contrasts planets and moons.