Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radioactivity Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the difference between types of ionizing radiation and how elements are transmuted. They determine that radiation is normal and surrounds us. They calculate the amounts of alpha, beta and gamma radiation emitted from a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Matter Game

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students differentiate the physical properties of the three states. They apply what they learned by playing a team game at the end of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Periodic Table & Its Trends-Day 6

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners intergrate science, technology and society into exploring the periodic table. They investigate one element of their choice and write a one page paper on the elements discovery, properties, uses, and the effect on society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces And Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the atom and how it is formed. They conduct research using a variety of resources and then construct a model of the atom. Then students have class discussion. The instructional activity includes background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Periodic Trends

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the rationale behind the arrangement of the elements on the Periodic Table. Using internet and traditional research, students compare and contrast the properties of elements on the periodic table to determine a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

States of Matter Mini-Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify he phases of matter (solid, liquid, gas), and why they take place. They comprehend what a physical change is and what a chemical change is. Students know the difference between a Mixture and a Solution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oxygen

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore oxygen and its physical and chemical propeties.  In this investigative activity students complete several experiments using oxygen.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big is a Molecule?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students estimate the size of a molecule of oleic acid. They conduct an experiment using chalk dust, water, and oleic acid, solve various calculations, and answer discussion questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Can You Study Things You Can’t See Like: Atoms?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students simulate how scientists studied things they can't see like atoms. In this chemistry lesson, students predict what is inside the numbered obsertainers. They design a way to investigate what's inside without opening it.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Rutherford's Enlarged: A Content Embedded Activity on Nature of Science

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Through a study of Ernest Rutherford's experiments with atomic structure, students develop a deeper understanding of the nature of science. The activity is taken from a linked article by the author that was published in the Journal of...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Quantum Atomic Structure

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This multi-day lesson plan helps young scholars to understand how the models of the atom have changed and how quantum mechanics affects the electrons as they orbit the nucleus.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Tic Tac Toe Pick 3 in a Row Atomic Model Assignment

For Teachers 6th - 9th
A choice menu assignment where students select between several extension activities that help understand the structure of the atom.
Lesson Plan
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Science of Atoms and Molecules: Nucleic Acids and Proteins

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Through this activity, learners work with macromolecules, proteins and nucleic acids. The focus is on the atomic structure of proteins, how linear polymers are made, and the surface charges of the resulting polymers. . Multiple-choice...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Electron Energy Levels of Atoms and Ions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lab, students investigate basic electron structure by making a model using pennies and different sized filter papers.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Drawing Atoms

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity serves as an introduction to chemistry, and can be used to help students draw a two dimensional image of the atom.