Students discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers, and calculators. After a lecture/demo, students create their own solar collectors and test their efficiency.

Students examine the energy the sun produces on a daily basis. In groups, they discover the properties of visible and invisible light. They also adjust the exposure time to change the properties of various objects. To end the lesson,...

Students investigate solar energy and color. In this solar energy instructional activity, students assess the benefits of solar energy. Students discover that solar energy is attracted to darker colors and conduct an experiment...

If you have solar car kits for your junior high schoolers, they can experiment with photovoltaic cell angle, light intensity, and aerodynamic design to discover what makes their car move more quickly. This is a classic activity to use...

Groups work together to design a lighthouse, from designing and drawing the wiring diagram, to creating prototypes of the switch and circuit, to envisioning and building a scale model along with a blueprint. By including different...

Students explore multiple types of energy. In this energy lesson, students prepare a science fair project through completing a WebQuest. Students investigate radiant, thermal, and biochemical energy.

Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of electric currents. In groups, they develop their own game board to test different circuits to determine if they are complete. They record their observations of the energy transfer between...

Students study the sun. In this heat energy lesson, students use the sun's warmth to make tea. They place a few jars with tea bags and water in the sun and discuss what the sun is doing to the water while they wait for the tea to brew....

Students trace shadows. In this light and shadows lesson, students conduct an experiment to determine what a shadow is and what is necessary to make a shadow. Students observe how shadows change as well as write and draw shadows in their...

Students discuss radiant energy from the sun, performing a simple experiment with sun glasses and bright light to demonstrate the concept. Students further participate in simple in-class experiments to demonstrate: air density as it...

Students explore global warming by conducting a weather experiment. In this greenhouse gas lesson, students define the greenhouse effect and the impact on our ozone layer. Students utilize a soda pop bottle, floodlight bulb, thermometers...

Young scholars explore the weather system by analyzing water properties. In this precipitation lesson, students review weather related vocabulary terms and discuss how rainbows are created by light hitting droplets at the right time....

Students investigate how plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. In this biology lesson, students differentiate photosynthesis and cellular respiration. They discuss the important role of plants in the environment.

Students were involved in environmental service learning and they gathered information from academic buildings for a database. The data allowed them to use an establish baseline data on light use, recycling, and water fixtures in five...

Students explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. For this series of physics lesson, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their different uses in other...

Fifth graders explore electricity. In this electricity lesson, 5th graders experiment with open and closed circuits. Students determine how to properly connect a battery and bulb to illuminate the bulb.

Second graders make spinning color wheels to determine how energy effects what colors look like. They paint or color a color wheel with the seven colors of the spectrum. Next, the spin the wheel to determine what happens. In order to...

Three activities introduce upper elementary ecologists to photosynthesis and food webs. In the first, an experiment is set up to determine how plants respond to different types of light. In the second, they connect organism cards with...

Young scholars explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics lesson plan, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own battery...

Learners explore Earth science by completing energy worksheets in class. In this energy forms lesson plan, students identify and define a list of energy vocabulary terms and a K-W-L chart. Learners view a matter video clip in class and...

Students study the movement of light. In this light lesson, students work in groups to participate in a light and shadow walk around their neighborhood. Students brainstorm rules for light movement and watch videos about light travel,...

Students conduct a series of experiment on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. In this physics lesson, students explain how they operate. They compare the efficiency and power rating of both bulbs.

Students discuss the impact of certain inventions. In this technology lesson, students research Thomas Edison and the light bulb on the Internet and discuss how the invention impacted society. Students create their own simple inventions.

What do physicists and musicians have in common? A lot more than you might think. After first viewing a slide show presentation and completing a series of skills practice worksheets on the physics of light, sound, and...