Curated OER
Tension and Compression
Students explore the forces of tension and compression by manipulating a variety of objects, and apply what they learned in the construction of a model bridge.
Curated OER
Who Turned the Lights Out?
Learners discover the life cycle of butterfly by observing its growth from egg to caterpillar and the formation of its chrysalis. Students conduct an experiment in which they design housing for the chrysalises which are either in full...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Heat Loss and Insulation
Students design an experiment to test the problem of the porridge in Baby Bear's bowl as being just right while the other porridge was either too hot or too cold. They explain the steps of their experiment and record their observations...
Curated OER
Measurement of the Depth of the Ocean
Students comprehend the physical properties of pressure and Boyle's Law by designing a depth gauge. They construct a capillary depth gauge and calculate the calibrated depth marks of the capillary tube. They determine the margin of error...
Curated OER
Light Travels As A Game
Students identify ways that light can travel and why. In groups, they develop an experiment to show that light can travel because it is a form of energy. They use this information and apply it to other forms of energy to end the...
Curated OER
Investigating the Compost
High schoolers are introduced to the concept of biodegradability. In groups, they use the internet to research the types of materials that affect the process. They collect materials from their local community and develop an experiment...
Curated OER
OUtside Influence
Learners identify factors that are important for brain functioning of learning. They observe the impact of interaction in mice. They also create their own experiment dealing with the mice. They analyze and share their results.
Curated OER
What Makes a Healthy Plant?
Young scholars predict the effects of water, light, and soil on the development of a plant and then design an experiment to test their predictions.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere
Studetns view a terrarium with water droplets on the wals. They discuss the ways the water could have got onto the wall of the terrarium. Students design an experiment to duplicate the process. They describe the patterns form their data...
Curated OER
Time-Lapsed Observations
Students explore timed observations for science investigations. They record ideas on a chart related to a classroom closed terrarium. They repeat their observations for several days and time observations for changing shadows during the...
Curated OER
Stellar Spectral Fingerprints
Learners listen as the teacher introduces Newton's early discovery of the diffraction of light. They use multiple sources of light (fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc) to bend the light. They first use a prism then a diffraction...
Curated OER
Munching Mice
Students examine different variables and their effects on weight gain in mice. They consider the validity of relating the results in mice to humans.Finally, they discuss the ethics of using animals in experiments.
Curated OER
Ignoring Friction - Not This Time!
Students discover the factors affect friction. Students, working in lab pairs, complete various experiments in order to discover what factors effect the amount of frictional force a block has as it is pulled across different surfaces.
Curated OER
Plants Need Soil
Third graders identify what plants need to grow. In this agricultural lesson, 3rd graders read the book The Empty Pot and discuss the steps to take when planting a seed. Students plant a seed and water it each day. Students discuss their...
Curated OER
Paper Towel Testing
Students discuss whether there are variations in absorbency and wet strength amount different brands of paper towels. They compare advertising claims and personal preferences and perform tests to reach a conclusion of which brand is the...
Michigan Sea Grant
Food Chains and Webs
Starting with a simple food chain, young scientists interpret the difference and interrelatedness between herbivores, carnivores and producers. They answer questions related to cause and effect of food chain disruptions, including the...
Curated OER
Investigating Motion, Forces, and Energy Lab Book
Eighth graders create their own experiements using toy trucks, cars or balls to measure the time it takes two of them to travel 5 meters, as well as at each 1 meter interval. They make use computers to make a time/distance graph and...
Curated OER
Examining Infiltration Rates of Various Soil Types
Students formulate their own hypothesis, determine which variables are important to test their hypothesis, design an experiment in which they collect data. They utilize instruments and tools to measure, calculate, and organize data.
Curated OER
Where Do Weeds Grow Best?
Student design an experiment in order to determine where weeds grow the best. Through data collection and observations, they discover optimum conditions for weed growth, conditions that make it difficult for weeds to grow, and create...
Curated OER
Global Water Cycle & Heat Flow
Students experiment to discover how different variables affect the water cycle. They do hat flow experiments and construct a computer heat flow model.
Curated OER
Antibody and Antibody Specificity The Egg Mishap
Students investigate a set of foods to find the presence of eggs after designing an experiment that will complete the test. They complete a test and discuss antibody-antigen specificity.
Curated OER
Does Contact Area Matter?
Learners work together to design and implement an experiment on friction. They test to see if contact area affects the amount of friction. They discover how engineers use friction to make certain products better.
Curated OER
Bubbles
Students complete experiments with three different bubble solutions to determine which one creates the largest bubbles. Before conducting the experiments, they discuss the ingredients in each solution, and make predictions on which will...
Curated OER
The Effects of Environment on Plant Growth: Selecting Seeds for Survival on a New Planet
Fifth graders conduct experiments to compare seed germination and plant growth rates. They construct a hydroponic plant unit and a lighthouse. They care for the plants for a month and collect data for graphs. They write a report.