A lever comes in handy when scholars build a launcher for a ping-pong ball. They test the launcher and redesign it to send the ball higher or to accommodate a tennis ball. This is the third lesson in a five-part unit.

Young biologists identify parts of the body, sort humans from other animals, and list the difference they see. Learners are split up into groups of three, and each group must find pictures in magazines of humans and other animals. They...

Students investigate magnetism. In this physics lesson, students create a KWL chart about magnetism and research various suggested websites to find out more about magnetism. Students log on to the "BrainPOP" website and view a short...

In this paper helicopter instructional activity, students design and experiment making a paper helicopter to explore how some things fall and how varying the size of the rotor blades affect the way a helicopter spins.

Students investigate soap bubbles. In this soap bubble chemistry lesson, students observe a demonstration using pop-it beads to represent a soap molecule. Students produce soap bubbles in the lab by making bubbles with a large bubble...

Sixth graders simulate primary and secondary waves. In this earthquakes waves lesson, 6th graders experiment using a slinky to gain understanding of how waves are created during an earthquake. Students record observations in drawings....

Third graders investigate Bernoulli's Principle. In this Bernoulli's Principle lesson plan, 3rd graders examine blowing air through a tube and the movement of the ball. Students make inquiries into what effect the air has on the ball and...

Students participate in various air experiments to understand that air is all around us. For this states of matter lesson, students focus on the role of air in the water cycle. Students understand that air is densest near the ground....

Kindergartners identify different sources of light in a science activity. They view pictures of a flashlight, a match, and a lamp, among others, and color the part of the picture that creates light. A science activity prompts them to...

The San Andreas Fault moves about two inches a year, approximately the same rate fingernails grow—crazy! The third lesson in the series allows for hands-on exploration of various fault formations. Through the use of a Popsicle stick,...

Students will make many discoveries about how and why objects move. They will explore and manipulate the motion of objects and the forces required to control that motion (pushing, pulling, throwing, dropping, rolling, and so on). This...

Sixth graders explore the push/pull factors that influenced the South to North migration.  In this African-American migration lesson, 6th graders read an article and answer comprehension questions. Students write a letter to the...

Students construct a paper glider. In this physics of gliding lesson plan, students first learn about Borneo and it's rainforest habitat. After students discover the way animals in Borneo glide from tree to tree, they use their newly...

A wonderfully rich presentation teaches about magnets and magnetism. Each slide is packed with interesting information on the discovery, history, physics, and uses for magnets. Good photographs, and an emphasis on vocabulary are part of...

Students experiment with clay to create sculptures. They research various animals and work with parts of animal names to create their own imaginary animal sculptures using clay.

Students are introduced to the process of mask-making. Using different cultures, they examine how masks have changed over time and identify the reason for them. They create their own mask with tooling foil and decorate them using...

These are four classic activities used for instructing upper elementary electricians. The first involves experimenting with the Van de Graaff generator. The second is a series of hands-on experiences with static. In the third activity,...

What kinds of cups can bend? Kindergartners find out with a straightforward science inquiry, designed to teach them about the properties of materials. They hypothesize about the flexibility of a china cup, a plastic cup, and a paper cup....

Put your class's observational skills to the test with a science experiment about paper and plastic bags. After reading some background knowledge about the materials in plastic grocery bags, third graders interpret a chart to answer a...

Here is an inventive plan that should get your young scientists excited! In it, groups of pupils test out the work done by six different simple machines. The machines are: the wedge, the lever, the inclined plane, the pulley, the screw,...

Young biologists use a activity to fill in the blanks of five sentences. Each one needs a word from a word band at the top of the resource. All of the sentences are about things that are alive, and how we know they are alive. The words...

Everyday life can be overwhelming for a student with autism spectrum disorder. An informative presentation guides teachers through definitions of common attributes associated with autism, as well as ways to meet sensory needs to...

Reinforce the concepts of motion and force in this graphic organizer, which prompts students to provide the effect of pushing and pulling an object, as well as an object in motion. Ample space in the answer section allows students to...