Some isotopes are unstable, or radioactive, meaning they will decay over time and turn into another isotope or stable element. In the interactive simulation, participants manipulate elements to create isotopes and gather information....

Scholars build specific elements by creating a model of its atomic structure. Objects they can include are protons, nuetrons, electrons, orbits, clouds, charge, and mass number. Simulation ends with questions to challenge individuals'...

How do scientists identify which elements originate from meteorites? Scholars learn about a sample of material found in a remote location, analyzing the sample to determine if it might be from Earth or not. They study elements, isotopes,...

Explore the excited states of atoms through an interactive lesson. Scholars adjust the initial speed of atoms and observe the kinetic energy of the system as the atoms interact. As they change the initial speed and location of the...

Students perform varied activities as part of a layered curriculum unit: They write and perform a skit that outlines the evolution of the model of the atom. The script is submitted to the teacher for review before performance.

Students explain how the elements are arranged in the periodic table. In this chemistry instructional activity, students determine the subatomic particles for certain elements. They research the physical and chemical properties of an...

Uranium 235 has a half-life of over 700 million years and is the fuel used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Pupils see the half-lives and decay rates of Carbon-14 and Uranium-238. They also take measurements of these two...

An engaging activity enlightens young chemists in this lesson on atomic structure. They play musical chairs through a series of concentric circles that represent electon orbitals. A laundry basket in the middle holds the protons and...

Young scholars investigate elements by by defining scientific terms.  In this Periodic Table of Elements lesson, students utilize a glass of water, and powdered fruit drink to perform a lab activity demonstrating properties of...

Young scholars create an atomic model using a computer program. For this technology lesson, students identify the difference between radius and diameter. They create circular patterns and spheres based on certain specifications.

Class members explore the carbon cycle in the final installment of the 10-part Discover Your Changing World series. They play a simulation game where they walk through the steps carbon takes as it cycles through the different layers...

In a comprehensive role playing activity, teens play the parts of different stakeholders in the realm of acidic oceans. They research, debate, and create a presentation from the perspective of either ocean organisms, the fishing...

Discover the change of the seasons by modeling the Earth-Sun system. Learners model the orbit of the Earth around the sun and explore how and why the patterns of winter and summer occur.

Students explain how elements are arranged in the periodic table. In this chemistry instructional activity, students group the eggs according to a certain pattern. They compare this to elements in the periodic table.   

Young scientists explore Earth elements by conducting an experiment. They define water vocabulary terms such as condensation and precipitation. In addition, they conduct a water experiment in which they build a terrarium, so they can...

Students study polyatomic ions and write binary and ternary ionic chemical formulas. They explore putting together different monatomic ions and coming up with as many chemical formulas as possible. They play a game similar to memory...

Students investigate vocabulary words associated with electricity.  In this electrical lesson, students utilize the Internet to research what electricity is and how it works.  Students create an actual circuit in class using a...

Students define the properties of minerals and their uses in their world. In this multi-lesson unit, students contribute actively to discussions of mineral mining, mining methods and mine safety. A role play lesson asks students to...

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.

Students explore the process of carbon dating fossils to determine their age. They simulate radioactive decay using pennies in a shoe box. Heads represents a decayed atom each time they shake the box. They use the data to calculate the...