Curated OER
Radioactive Simulations
Students simulate radioactive decay and nuclear power using an on line interactive web site. In this on line lesson plan, students monitor radioactive isotopes and record the activity of a particular element as the decay progresses. They...
Virginia Department of Education
Radioactive Decay and Half-Life
Explain the importance of radioactive half-life as your high school biologists demonstrate the concept by performing a series of steps designed to simulate radioactive decay. Pupils use pennies to perform an experiment and gather data....
Virginia Department of Education
Elements and Electron Configuration
It's electronic! Pupils uncover elements and their electron configurations as they explore mass, groupings, correct charges, and sliding theory. Young scientists learn creative ways to remember various elements and correctly classify...
Curated OER
Teaching Radioactive Decay: Radioactive Half-life And Dating Techniques
Learners generate a radioactive decay table for an imaginary element using a box filled with pinto beans and M&M's. They use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and use the graph to "age" several samples.
Curated OER
Radioactive Decay and Half-Life
Young scholars describe how the mass of a radioactive isotope changes with time and the factors that affect the rate of radioactive decay. They write nuclear decay equations to represent natural transmutation. This activity is...
Curated OER
Radioactivity Experiments
Students study the difference between types of ionizing radiation and how elements are transmuted. They determine that radiation is normal and surrounds us. They calculate the amounts of alpha, beta and gamma radiation emitted from a...
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Absolute Dating/Radioactive Dating
Pupils explore radioactive decay. In this radioactive atoms instructional activity students complete a lab to help them understand the relationship between radioactive atoms vs stable atoms.
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Radioactive Samples
Students examine the different types of radioactivity. In this radioactive samples lesson students complete a lab activity on radiation and complete a handout.
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What Are Elements?
Students investigate elements by by defining scientific terms. In this Periodic Table of Elements instructional activity, students utilize a glass of water, and powdered fruit drink to perform a lab activity demonstrating properties of...
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Industrialization of the American Landscape
Students explore the Chernobyl incident and the resulting environmental health impacts. They explore three different isotopes that were released into the atmosphere. Through inquiry, students determine the difference between types of...
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Elements and Compounds
Middle schoolers explain how radioactive decay occurs. In this physical science lesson, students simulate radioactive half-life through an experiment. They graph their data and share their results in class.
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What is the Relationship Between Radioactivity and Radon?
Students examine the relationship between radioactivity and radon. They practice using a geiger counter with different materials. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
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What is Radioactivity?
Students use a geiger counter to record changes in the amount of radioactivity produced by different objects. They research articles which mention radiation and discuss them. They work together to complete an activity and worksheet.
Curated OER
Radioactive Decay/Half Life
Students demonstrate radioactive decay using candy corns. In this Physics lesson, students make predictions, collect data and form conclusions about patterns in radioactive decay.
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Dating Popcorn
Young scholars simulate the dating process with popcorn. In this geology activity, students discuss how geologist find the age of rocks by gauging the amount of decay of radioactive elements. They have 6 bags of popcorn and each group...
NASA
Analyzing Tiny Samples Using a Search for the Beginning Mass Spectrometry
Teach the basics of mass spectrometry with a hands-on activity. The fourth in a series of six lessons explores how mass spectrometry measures the ionic composition of an element. Learners then compare and contrast relative abundance and...
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CAN'T TOUCH THIS!
Middle schoolers discover the best practical shielding material when dealing with radioactive substances. They draw conclusions based on availability of materials, price, and best shielding properties.
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Determining the Age of Fossils
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
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A Phylogenetic Perspective for the Cladistically Challenged
Students use M&Ms to simulate radioactive decay of elements.
Curated OER
Radioactive Decay
Students generate a radioactive decay table for an imaginary element, use their data to plot a decay graph, develop the concept of half-life, and use the graph to "age" several samples.
Curated OER
Rock of Ages
Students use a video, the Internet and hands-on activities to explore how to determine the age of rocks and fossils based on radioactive decay data.
Curated OER
Properties of Matter
Ninth graders explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a specific material. They demonstrate that isotopes of an element have different masses. Students demonstrate that the rates of...
NASA
MASS, MASS – Who Has the MASS? Analyzing Tiny Samples
What is it worth to you? A hands-on lesson plan asks groups to collect weights of different combinations of coins and calculate weighted averages. They use the analysis to understand the concept of an isotope to finish the third lesson...
Curated OER
How Does Probability Relate to Radon?
Middle schoolers read an article about probability and radon. They practice using a hand held geiger counter to understand the properties of radiation and radioactivity. They identify the harmful and helpful effects of radiation as well.