Colorado State University
What's the Difference Between Blue Light and Red Light?
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...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Auroras
Learn the science behind one of the most beautiful acts of nature. A comprehensive lesson explores the causes and characteristics of auroras. The instruction also explains the differences among auroras and what the differences indicate...
Curated OER
Drops on a Penny
A helpful worksheet describes an interesting demonstration on the surface tension of water. Learners guess how many drops of water the heads side of a penny will hold. This resource does a great job of describing just how a penny can...
Science-Class.net
Rock Candy Crystals
Candy is one of my favorite words, and it's an even better word when it relates to science. Yes, candy science can happen when you grow rock candy crystals with your class. The entire process for growing these edible wonders of nature is...
Curated OER
State of Matter - Atoms
Students examine and discuss how atoms change from solid to liquid to gas. They inflate a balloon by melting ice that converts to steam, and discuss the results.
Curated OER
Atoms, Molecules, and Their Names
For this atoms and molecules worksheet, students use the periodic table to name the different groups and compare the different periods. Students write the names and formulas of ionic and covalent compounds. This worksheet has 5 graphic...
Curated OER
Naturally Magnetic Elements
Students explore naturally magnetic elements. In this magnets activity, students examine the periodic table of elements. Students discover the parts of an atom and determine which three elements are magnetic.
Curated OER
Flambe Elements
Eighth graders discuss atoms and electrons as well as atoic structure. They view atomic structure via the computer. Students watch a demonstration in which the teacher demonstrates glass tubing turning yellow in a Bunsen Burner flame....
Virginia Department of Education
Elements and Electron Configuration
It's electronic! Pupils uncover elements and their electron configurations as they explore mass, groupings, correct charges, and sliding theory. Young scientists learn creative ways to remember various elements and correctly classify...
Normal Community High School
Diatomic Molecules
Diagrams are beneficial for explaining chemistry concepts to your class. These seven slides show the difference between single atoms and diatomic molecules. The graphics are lively and accurate. The last slide is a chart of elements that...
Earth Day Network
Staying Green While Being Clean
Clean up the environment with a lesson that focuses on replacing hazardous cleaning supplies with green, environmentally-friendly products. Using a dirty patch of surface as a control area, kids clean other parts of various surfaces...
Curated OER
Natural Gas Lesson-How Natural Gas Forms
Students examine background natural gas and how it is formed and what it is made of. Titles within the series include How Natural Gas Forms, What Happens to Natural Gas when it is burned, and How Natural Gas can be used. Provides very...
Curated OER
How Can You Study Things You Can’t See Like: Atoms?
Students simulate how scientists studied things they can't see like atoms. In this chemistry lesson plan, students predict what is inside the numbered obsertainers. They design a way to investigate what's inside without opening it.
Curated OER
Integrating Environmental Science-Ozone Depletion
In this ozone worksheet, students read about the ozone layer, its make-up and its depletion. They answer three critical thinking questions about ozone and the ozone layer.
American Museum of Natural History
Light Quest
Grab a partner and shed some light on light. A remote learning resource has scholars play a board game to answer trivia questions about light. They also read about how Einstein contributed to the understanding of light as both a wave and...
Curated OER
Carbon Cycles
Middle schoolers examine the carbon cycle and how carbon atoms travel through it. In this energy cycles lesson students describe how human activities affect the carbon cycle.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Nuclear Popcorn
Make your lesson on radioactive decay pop with this lab exercise. Using popcorn kernels spread over a tabletop, participants pick up all of those that point toward the back of the room, that is, those that represent decayed atoms. As the...
Curated OER
Alternative Energy Resources
In this alternative energy resources worksheet, learners identify the ore that is commonly used in nuclear power plants and how it is processed. Then they determine the reaction that occurs when uranium atoms are split. Students also...
Curated OER
Different Minerals
In this minerals worksheet, learners read about the relationship between elements, rocks and minerals. They experiment using 6 different colored gumdrops to represent 6 common elements. Students construct gumdrop and toothpick models of...
Curated OER
Chemicals, Chemicals, Everywhere
Students divide substances into categories: made of chemicals/not made of chemicals, synthetic/naturally occurring, and toxic/nontoxic. They observe a mystery chemical and determine what precautions they need to take when handling an...
Curated OER
States of Water
Students investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" instructional activity, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Students observe the effect heat...
PHET
AM Radio Ionosphere Station
Tune in! Young scientists use an AM radio at home to monitor solar output. The long-term project would be ideal in a flipped classroom or as an out-of-class project.
Kenan Fellows
Isotopic Pennies
Many people confuse atomic mass and atomic numbers. The sixth of seven lessons in a unit requires scholars to find the weight of different groups of pennies. Then, they must solve how many of each type of penny exists in a closed system...
Colorado State University
How Can You Demonstrate the Different Efficiencies of Different Light Bulbs?
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...