Teach Engineering
Insulation Materials Investigation
Don't melt away! Pairs investigate different insulation materials to determine which one is better than the others. Using a low-temp heat plate, the teams insulate an ice cube from the heat source with a variety of substances. They...
Curated OER
Investigating Interesting Insect Information
In this investigating interesting insect information worksheet, students answer 28 short answer questions about insects. This page includes several links to helpful web resources.
National Wildlife Federation
Meet the Extractors, Harvesters, and Harnessers: Methods, Technology, Benefits and Consequences in Acquiring Natural Resources
There are advantages and disadvantages to all sources of energy; the trick is determining which one has the least impact! Part six in the series of 12 has learners further explore energy resources. After reading information about one of...
Curated OER
Introduction to Magnetism and Electronics
Students 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...
Curated OER
Experimental Music
Students test people's response to different kinds of music. In this music lesson plan, students associate different cords with different feelings or moods. They then observe a video that describes different feelings related to different...
Curated OER
The Tree Detective - Basic Dendrology
Students identify tree species by their leaf characteristics. In this dendrology lesson, students learn leaf vocabulary and collect leaves. They identify the leaves using the leaf characteristics and the vocabulary that they learned.
Curated OER
Investigating Seed Germination and Tropisms
Young scholars use the various steps of the scientific method to construct and carry out a detailed laboratory investigation (including a control). They demonstrate how various environmental factors may affect the process of seed...
Curated OER
Introduction to Materials Science
Young scholars locate, identify and describe the purpose and proper use of all safety equipment in the classroom. They describe the processes involved in following the scientific method, and classify matter according to natural or...
Teach Engineering
See the Genes
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough" - Albert Einstein. The sixth installment of a seven-part series teaches young scientists about the importance of being able to communicate scientific research and...
Wilderness Classroom
Pollution
Educate scholars on pollution—air, water, and land—with a series of lessons that begin with a thorough explanation of each type. Learners then take part in three activities to reinforce the importance of reducing pollution. They...
Curated OER
Water: Access and Use
Students get a personal sense for another culture's way of doing things. Develop a list of sources for water. Practice using the scientific method. Examine means for conserving, or for generating, reliable sources of water.
Curated OER
Fact vs. Opinion: Theory, Hypothesis, and Bias
Emphasize the differences between a theory and a hypothesis to teach your class how to avoid scientific bias.
Compassion in World Farming Trust
Selective Breeding of Farm Animals
Biology learners read about selective breeding in chickens and how it has produced high-yield meat specimens and rapid egg-layers. The unpleasant effects of artificial selection are explored, as well as options to supporting this...
Curated OER
Robert Boyle and Experimental Methods
Students discuss the difference between the Baconian inductive method and the Aristotelian deductive approaches. They complete a given set of questions then discuss them with the class.
Curated OER
Palace for Pill Bugs
Students build a palace fit for pill bugs. In this experimental design lesson, students design an experiment to determine which shelter is preferred by the pills bugs. Students are creating a testable hypothesis, collecting data,...
Curated OER
Plant Motion: The Untold Secrets
Learners identify and categorize knowledge needed to design an experiment. They observe, recognize and describe the motion viewed. They document any changes caused by various solutions.
Curated OER
Communication in Bees
Eighth graders identify and interpret a scientific investigation and a hypothesis through experimentation and testing a hypothesis. They identify what scientists hypothesized about the communication of stingless bees. Finally, 8th...
Curated OER
Mineral Lab
Eighth graders examine the physical properties of different minerals. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the uses of minerals in their daily lives. They complete the mineral identification table during the lesson.
Curated OER
Determining the Age of Fossils
High schoolers examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating instructional activity, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
Curated OER
Microscope Investigation
Pupils explore physical science by participating in a science examination. In this microscope tutorial lesson, students read the book The Naked Eye and discuss the purpose for using a microscope in the field of science. Pupils identify...
Curated OER
Circulatory Systems
A slideshow that covers the all-important details related to basic human circulation. The reasoning for exchange of material methods is presented and then labeled diagrams of the main human transfer systems are shown, along with...
Curated OER
Woodwind Instruments and Pitch
Students explore musical pitch. In this cross curriculum musical instruments and "sound" physics instructional activity, students identify and describe common traits of woodwind instruments. Students research "pitch" and what causes...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Cell Phone Use and Cancer
The cell phone you're using is making you deaf: news at 11:00. Oftentimes, the media uses fear tactics and other techniques to increase its audience base. In an intriguing look at the difference between scientific journals and...
Curated OER
About Science
Students explain why physics is the basic science. They outline scientific methods by distinguishing among observations, facts, hypotheses, laws, and principles. Students describe the circumstances under which a hypothesis or law must be...