Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solids, Liquids, and Gases

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore solids, liquids, and gasses and categorize and describe the three states of matter. For this chemistry lesson, students categorize items as solid, liquid, or gas based on the definitions given by the teacher. Learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners examine water. In this chemistry lesson plan, student examine the physical properties of water and how it changes from a liquid to a solid or a gas. This lesson plan contains links to a second and third complimentary lesson plan...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Matter of Fact

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students design their own Science experiment. For this science experiment lesson students create a hypothesis related to matter and test it. They displayed their data in a graph.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystals: What Are They and What Holds Them Together

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are introduced to the characteristics of crystals and what keeps them together. Using the Periodic Table, they examine the various elements and develop a model of an atom. In groups, they place sugar and salt in petri dishes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the states of matter. In this physics lesson, students use water and ice to demonstrate the characteristics of a solid and liquid. Students record their observations as the state of the water changes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Project Geode

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study the liquid and solid states of water. In this water states lesson, students complete three experiments to study water as it cycles from a liquid state to a solid state and back. Students finish with a Venn Diagram...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Chemistry

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to the topic of Environmental Chemistry. In groups, they review the steps within the scientific method and develop their own hypothesis and design an experiment. They solve equations related to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marshland Ecosystem

For Teachers K - 12th
Students classify animals based on their physical characteristics and eating habits.  In this animal identification lesson plan, students investigate the life forms shown on a Parisian ceramic basin, and discover ecosystem the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the physical properties of water.  In this water lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. There are 2 extensions for this lesson that one can access via the Internet links provided.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Float?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars analyze the relationship between density, buoyancy, and salinity. In this chemical properties lesson, students read a background activity for the lesson and experiments to the topics. Young scholars discuss the questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable Energy Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the role photosynthesis plays in plant survival.  In this renewable energy lesson students document their observations and analyze and interpret their results. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Things Are Heating Up

For Students 9th - 10th
In this science learning exercise, learners read about chemical changes. Students also answer 3 comprehension questions about the reading.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balloons: Math with the Montgolfier Balloon

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars discover the history of hot air balloons by watching one ascent.  In this physics lesson, students utilize a Montgolfier Hot Air Balloon from an earlier lesson and record the temperature, rate of ascent and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Minerals

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry Module

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students build metal atomic models using styrofoam. In this chemistry lesson, students identify the different unique properties of metals. They explain how metal atoms bond.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volume of Gas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas in a closed container. They measure the height of the water in their beaker/container, conduct their experiment, and create a graph to illustrate their data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doin' The Moonwalk

For Teachers K - 2nd
If you are looking for an outstanding lesson on the Moon for your budding astronomers, look no further! This outstanding plan is full of wonderful, meaningful activities for your charges to engage in. Pupils will discover why there are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up and Atom

For Teachers 7th - 8th
"Up and Atom" is a mini-unit introducing middle-schoolers to the wonders of elements. Participants draw atom models, examine the periodic table, compare samples of metals to nonmetals, identify unknown elements, and more! The beginning...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Colors Collide or Combine?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
As part of a unit investigating the dissolving of M&Ms® candy coating, this lesson examines whether or not the different colors combine. There are no new concepts revealed in this particular lesson, but learners will see that the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Matter: "Sink or Swim"

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders recognize that different materials have different properties which can be observed such as texture and bouyancy, and compare and contrast, through observation, ability of some objects to float because of action of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Identifying Properties of Matter

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe a demonstration of the the three forms of matter - air, water, and solids - in plastic bags. After discussing the properties, they transfer them to a Venn diagram. Finally, students identify five items in the classroom...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Matter and Change

For Students 9th - 11th
In this matter and change worksheet, students answer 24 questions on topics such as elements, compounds, mixtures and chemical reactions. Students answer questions about the properties of matter such as their physical state and shape. In...
Worksheet
Curated OER

States of Matter and Gas Laws

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this matter worksheet, students review the states of matter and the gas law formulas and equations. Students then complete 7 multiple choice questions and 6 problems.