Curated OER
What's the Matter? Where Did it Go?
Eighth graders analyze questions posted on a large poster in the room and work in groups to record their response to the question on paper, rotating to the next question after two minutes have passed. They review the characteristics of...
Curated OER
Properties of Matter: "Sink or Swim"
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...
Curated OER
Matter: Build a Word
Fourth graders examine matter and the periodic table of elements. In this matter lesson, 4th graders discuss atoms and their composition. Students explore the periodic table of elements and use it to spell words out of the elements.
Curated OER
I C E ( Ice Cream Experiments) Lesson
Students make ice cream. They use the experimental process to improve the ice cream working with variables in the recipes.
Curated OER
Treaty of Versailles...prelude to war?.
Students examine the Treaty of Versailles, which laid the ground work for a sequel, nearly identical, war thirty years later.
Curated OER
States of Matter: Liquid
Students work in a mini lab where they measure the temperature every 30 seconds for several minutes as water is heated.  They are asked what makes liquid different from a solid.  Students view a PowerPoint on the model of liquids,...
Smithsonian Institution
Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide
Vote, it's your civic duty! The resource provides several videos about voting in the United States. Scholars watch a series of topics ranging from youth participation to civic action. The educator's guide provides teachers with...
Colorado State University
What Is a "Model"?
Model the transfer of energy during a typical 24-hour period. Young scholars use a game-like approach to learning the patterns of heat transfer through the day and night. Groups of four exchange different tokens as the energy...
PBS
Breaking it Down
After challenging themselves to correctly choose the form of erosion and length of time required for a given landform to develop, earth science class members model mechanical and chemical weathering with various lab demonstrations over...
Concord Consortium
Excited Electrons
Excite your classes with an exploration of the kinetic energy of electrons. Scholars watch as excited electrons transfer their energy between one another. The simulation models this transfer while graphing the change in kinetic energy of...
Urbana School District
Thermodynamics
Entropy, it isn't what it used to be. Presentation includes kinetic-molecular theory, heat and internal energy, thermal equilibrium, temperature scales, laws of thermodynamics, entropy, latent heat of fusion, specific heat, calorimetry,...
Curated OER
Teaching Matter with The Wild Christmas Reindeer
Second graders learn the proper way to take measurements, explore the properties of objects and expand their vocabulary.
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Students examine the different changes in matter.  In this chemical change lesson students determine the amount of reactant made in a reaction using the law of conservation. 
Curated OER
Chemical Changes
Eighth graders observe two types of interactions in a sealed plastic bag.  One bag contains baking soda and water, and the other baking soda and vinegar.  They determine what evidence indicates that a chemical change is occurring.
Curated OER
Professor of Ice
In this environment experiment learning exercise, high schoolers complete 3 experiments using ice. First they label each experiment and respond to the four questions given. Then students do the 3 experiments as stated, considering what...
Curated OER
Sensational Soil
Fourth and fifth graders explore soil by taking a simulated field trip under the earth. They go to an Internet site that runs a simulation which charges them with finding a source of pollution that could destroy all of Earth's soil, and...
University of California
Energy and Biomass Pyramids
Young scientists play tag as they act out the food pyramid in the ocean ecosystem. Energy circles pass from the smaller prey to the predators and at the end of the activity, a data chart and analysis questions allow pupils to apply their...
NASA
Planning Time
Ever feel there's just not enough hours in the day? Young adults explore an important part of personal development using a group of activities. After comparing how they actually spend their time with how they would like to, scholars...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Genetics and the Master Race
How did the beginnings of genetic research influence the Nazi party? A thorough, engaging unit incorporates the work of Gregor Mendel, the study of inherited traits, and the use of racism and discrimination during the Holocaust.
Curated OER
Force and Motion - Part 2
Learners test different objects such as dominoes, marshmallows, slides, and more to test their force, motion, gravity, friction, and the concept of matter. In this force and motion lesson plan, students understand that the force an...
Curated OER
Water Cycle: Weather Lesson 1
First graders go on a water walk, collect weather data, and measure rainfall for a month. They examine the water cycle in this series of lessons.
Curated OER
Catherine Blaine: Seneca Falls and the Women's Rights Movement in the State of Washington
Students recognize the accomplishments of Catherine Blaine. For this Women's Rights Movement lesson, students research primary and secondary sources about life for American women in the 1800's. Students trace Blaine's journey from Seneca...
Curated OER
Ice Energy
Students investigate how salt affects the state of ice. In this ice cream making lesson, students change the freezing temperature by adding salt and observing the results. Students use experimentation and comparison to see how chemicals...