Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Energy and Its Spectrum

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Your older elementary students investigate electromagnetic energy and the electromagnetic spectrum. They will observe 7 items represented in the electromagnetic spectrum and make a poster of all the things the items have in common. After...
Unit Plan
Government of South Australia

Don't Waste Your Energy

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Don't lift another finger, this physical and environmental science unit has everything you need to begin teaching your class about energy. Starting with a look at the greenhouse effect, these lessons and activities take young scientists...
Activity
NASA

Collecting Light: Inverse Square Law Demo

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Light, distance, and mathematics come together to help scientists plan for space missions. Groups examine the relationship between distance from the sun and light availability in a hands-on exploration activity. They model the inverse...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Audit

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students collect data about energy usage and use mathematical calculations to analyze their data. In this energy conservation and statistics math lesson plan, students survey their homes to complete an energy usage worksheet. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You See the Light?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars investigate the transmission of light energy. In this light energy lesson, students observe bubbles using different colored filters and record their observations. They also look at a light source through various materials...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Light Bulbs

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn how light bulbs are different and which are more cost efficient.  In this energy and efficiency instructional activity, 3rd graders compare the cost of a light bulb and understand that its lifetime is important...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunrise/Sunset

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discovver what causes the dramatic colors of a sunset by seeing the changing color of light as it passes through a clear container of water to which milk is gradually added. They measure the liquids and observe what happens...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Car Series: Angle/Energy Amount

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...
Lesson Plan
Rochester Institute of Technology

Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Warm up to the idea of solar energy. A lesson includes three activities that challenge scholars to apply knowledge in new ways. First, they learn to run an alarm clock without a battery by using solar energy. Next, they complete an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light Can Heat Too!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore absorption and reflection of light energy. In this solar energy instructional activity, 3rd graders explore how light energy transfers to heat energy through the construction of a solar water heater. Students will...
Activity
Teach Engineering

Light vs. Heat Bulbs

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Careful, that light bulb is hot! Compare heat and light energy using a simple light bulb. The exercise addresses energy conservation and presents actual calculations to determine the most cost-effective light bulb.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bending and Bouncing of Light

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate refraction and reflection of light. For this light lesson, students perform 3 activities to observe light interacting with matter by using a flashlight. They explore refraction using a glass of water and reflection...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Think GREEN - Utilizing Renewable Solar Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use data to find the best renewable energy potential.  In this solar energy lesson students import data into Excel and explain how solar energy is beneficial. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Elements

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy At Play

For Teachers 4th - 8th
If you can find Tinker Toys™, then this may be a fun assignment for your physical science class. Using the construction set and a few other toys, they examine the forces involved when it they are being played with. For each, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dependence of Light Intensity on Distance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Hopefully you have a sensor interface for your physics class to use with graphing calculators when collecting data with a light sensor. If so, read on. Use this resource for learners to predict and then test whether or not the intensity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Resources: Where Are They and How Do We Get Them?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Future energy engineers visit several stations, each one dedicated to a different alternative source of energy. They describe how solar energy is converted into other forms of energy, the patterns of distribution of energy resources in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Melting the Ice: Energy Transfer

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study thermal energy and energy transfer to sea ice processes. In this energy transfer lesson, students make their own ice cream and discuss energy transfer and thermal energy. Learners view a radiation overhead and its role in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore light.  In this light wave physics lesson, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras.  Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy for Earth: The Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Super science learners examine the sun's production of energy by the process of nuclear fusion. Hands-on activities make this lesson engaging for middle schoolers. The lesson is made up of four parts. Part I is an introduction to the sun...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars are able to answer basic questions about the process of turning light energy into electrical energy. They are introduced to the basic physics and chemistry behind the operation of a solar cell. Students explore how a...
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

What's the Difference Between Blue Light and Red Light?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Finally, an electromagnetic spectrum lab that will get glowing reviews from your class! Explore the nature of light using red and blue LED sources and fantastic phosphorescent paper. Young scientists compare the effects of blue light...
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Can Energy Be Created or Destroyed?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Energy doesn't come out of nowhere! An engaging lesson has learners investigate energy as it transforms from one type to another. They collect data to prove that energy is not lost as it changes.
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

How Can You Demonstrate the Different Efficiencies of Different Light Bulbs?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Need a bright idea for an engaging lab? Watch your class light up as they explore the difference in efficiency between incandescent and LED bulbs! The resource makes use of simple materials and encourages learners to infer what's...

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