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Investigating the Relationship of Mass to Volume
Third graders explore the relationship of mass to volume. In this physical science lesson, 3rd graders participate in an investigation with a several materials and measure the mass and volume using scientific tools. Students discuss and...
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Reptiles and Amphibians
Introduce your class to various reptiles and amphibians. They will meet and identify a representative from each of the four major reptile families, then learn about and discuss reptile characteristics. Next, they will identify and...
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Ecological Impact of Wood Extraction
Students explore their local environment by conducting a class experiment. For this deforestation lesson, students discuss the effects of wood harvesting on forests around the world and research environment related vocabulary terms....
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Invent on the Spot
The best inventions come from a problem that needs to be solved! Given a container with holes in it, learners must solve how to stop liquid from pouring out. They work together to develop an invention to accomplish this task.
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Water Quality: Water Filtration
Students build a water filtration system. In this water quality activity, students work in groups to construct water filtration units that can purify contaminated water. This activity is part of a larger unit on water quality.
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Diffusion of Molecules
Students conduct a series of experiments to observe factors that impact molecular movement. In this molecular chemistry lesson, students drop food coloring in water with different properties (hot, with ice, with alcohol) and observe how...
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The Scientists’ Way
Students summarize the steps of the scientific method. In this life science lesson, students explain the importance of varying only one variable at a time. They analyze possible flaws in their experiment.
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Math and Science in a Wetland
Students use scientific methods during field and lab investigations. Students collect specimens and make measurements using the metric system. Students describe biotic and abiotic factors in an estuary and design a model.
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Allowing Students to Explore Simple Physics and Marketing in English Class
Scientific method, linear measurements, friction, inertia. Imagine learning scientific vocabulary in an ELA class. Before researching and developing a presentation about simple machines, class members build a common, but decidedly...
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Natural Dyeing with Plants - Scientific Method
Students study the components of scientific investigation by planning and carrying out an experiment in natural dyeing, seeing if different kinds of metal dye pots affect the color one gets from the same plant material.
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Journal Introductions
Students explore the idea of scientific observation and the use of a journal to record their observations. They examine the proper vocabulary used when describing scientific inquiry. Students observe a science experiment and they discuss...
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Composting
Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...
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What Do Parts Do?
Students review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they identify and describe the components and functions of all of the parts of a plant. Using a diagram, they label the parts of the plant chosen and share...
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Gravity Lesson
Fifth graders study the effects of mass on gravity. In this gravity lesson, 5th graders make model parachutes and helicopters in order to apply the scientific process and find out the effects of mass on drops of the 2 objects.
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Magnetism
Students explore physical science by participating in a class science activity. In this magnet attribute lesson, students define a list of scientific vocabulary terms associated with magnets and participate in hands on magnet activities....
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Introduction to Magnetism and Electronics
Learners are introduced to the concepts of magnetism and electronics. As a class, they walk through the steps of the scientific method and define new vocabulary. In groups, they are given a bag of objects and they are to separate them...
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Sound Observations
Students explore sound waves by conducting an experiment in class. In this sound frequency instructional activity, students utilize a tuning fork in class and identify which objects in class create different sound pitches on the fork....
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She Sells Sea Shells in Illinois??
Second graders sorted shells first by methods they thought appropriate and then were instructed on the scientific method of classification by univalve and bivalve. Students then sorted paper shells as a method of assessing knowledge. It...
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Nitrogen Fixation, OR What a Gas!
Students gain skill in the design, implementation, and reporting of a scientific research project using the scientific method. They set up an experiment to determine the effect of adding the Rhizobium bacteria to one group of legume...
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Climate And the Greenhouse Effect
Students demonstrate the greenhouse effect. They recognize that relatively small changes to our environment can stimulate significant climate changes. They determine that the "scientific method" is a process of testing hypotheses and...
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The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. In this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method lesson, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the rebound, then record...
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Plants 'n' Bugs
Second graders experiment to find if pollinators have color preferences. In this plant and bug instructional activity, 2nd graders gather information about how flowers pollinate. Students participate in a pollination experiment using...
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Human Anatomy - How Do We Move?
Fifth graders discover how blood moves around the body. In this circulatory system lesson, 5th graders feel their pulse before and after exercise. Students count their heart rate. Students use the scientific method to record their...
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Weathering
Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. In this weathering lesson plan, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific method to...