Baylor College
What Is a Neuron?
Your class won't get on your nerves while doing this modeling activity! After teaching the structure and function of a neuron using the included diagrams, give individuals some clay and chenille stems so that they can make their own...
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Biomass: Biogas Generator
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Baylor College
Pre-Assessment: The Brain
Break your class in to the general structure and function of the brain. Brainiacs discuss what they know about it and create personalized brain development timelines. They also take a true-false, pre-assessment quiz to get them thinking...
Curated OER
The Right Chemistry
Students see that chemistry is the study of matter, how matter reacts and combines to create new chemicals, the changes that take place in matter and what makes up matter. This lesson provides many good ideas across the curriculum to...
Cornell University
Electroplating
Silver pennies and copper nickels are made possible by applying some chemistry. Learners use electrolysis to coat a penny with zinc sulfate and a nickel with copper sulfate. Their investigation builds an understanding of electroplating...
Curated OER
What Contains Carbon?
Students explore elements by analyzing everyday objects and materials in class. In this carbon lesson, students define several vocabulary terms such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, and carbonate. Students view a group of items,...
Curated OER
What is Biocomplexity?
Students dicuss different aspects of biocomplexity. They demonstrate synthesis of complex concepts by creating before and after posters expressing how the concepts of biocomplexity have ben internalized. Students define the term...
NOAA
Ocean Zones
How can organisms light up in water? Bioluminescence is light produced in a chemical reaction that can occur in an organism's body. First, learners determine what happens to light/color as you move into the deep ocean. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Activity #15 What Happens To A Liquid As Energy Is Added?
Students model the arrangement of particles in a liquid. They use the model, to demonstrate how a gas is formed from a liquid with no increase in temperature as energy is added. Pupils model the arrangement and movement of gas particles.
Curated OER
Alkali Metals
Students explore the unique properties of alkali metals. In this chemistry instructional activity, students create a mural of fireworks display after researching its different element components. They write a brief description about an...
Aquarium of the Pacific
Lego Molecules
Young scientists construct an understanding of molecular compounds in this hands-on science lesson. Using LEGO® to model the atoms of different elements, students build molecules based on the chemical formulas of common compounds.
Curated OER
What's Matter?
Students explore many of the basic properties of matter including atoms, ions, elements, molecules, and density. The class explores an interactive flash-animated Web site to answer questions and clarify misconceptions they might have had...
Curated OER
Testing for Chemicals in Soils
Young scholars use sight, touch and chemical test kits to evaluate and classify soil types. They determine the organic content, soil pH, conduct visual analysis and nutrient tests of a variety of soil samples from various sources.
Curated OER
Investigating Properties of Water: Temperature
Investigate how temperature affects the density of water and stratification that occurs in bodies of water when temperatures vary. Water of differing temperatures is given different colors to see the layers that form. The lesson is meant...
Curated OER
Animal Communication
Students understand that all species have some capacity for communication. Students are exposed to the fact that all species have a capacity for communication. They are enlighten to the fact that communication abilities range from very...
Curated OER
Protozoans
Students examine protozoans and their advantages and disadvantages. In this chemistry lesson students explain what a protozoan is then draw and label one.
Curated OER
Amino Acids
Students explore what amino acids are, their history and how they are used in technology. In this protein activity students identify the properties of proteins and amino acids.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology instructional activity, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection...
Curated OER
Esters: The Secret of Natural and Synthetic Fragrances
Students investigate esters, make an ester and detect esters in natural foods and plants. In this esters lesson plan, students detect smells of hidden objects, produce an ester using peas, brown sugar and apple and demonstrate how to...
Cornell University
Discovering Enzymes
Explore the function of enzymes through a series of lab investigations. Learners use household enzymes such as hydrogen peroxide to model the role of enzymes. The enzymes break down proteins with and without a catalyst.
Curated OER
The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.