Curated OER
Gingerbread Spacecraft
Students explore the different parts of the Cassini spacecraft. In this space science lesson, students create a model of the spacecraft using food products. They compare and contrast their model with the real one and evaluate its...
Curated OER
Electricity
Students explore electricity. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, students discuss the composition of electricity and how it is made. They participate in discovery activities by rotation through four activity stations set up on the...
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Curated OER
What are Metamorphic Rocks and How are They Formed?
Even though the student handouts are not included in the write-up, this lesson contains the instructions for terrific activities to use when teaching middle schoolers about metamorphic rocks. First, they compare granite to gneiss and...
Curated OER
Navigation Across the Seas
Students examine nautical navigation and discover the differences between nautical charts and other types of maps or charts. Students practice setting a course, taking a bearing, and dead reckoning. This gives students an example of...
Curated OER
Observing Fall Migrants
Pupils observe the migration of monarch butterflies. They collect data regarding the number of monarchs they see, the location, the butterflies' behavior, the temperature and the date and time. Then they send their data to a university...
Curated OER
Build a Simple Ammeter
Students build and work with a simple ammeter to test theories on why solar cells connected in parallel produce more current that in series. Students use the ammeter to indicate the presence, direction, and strength of an electric...
Curated OER
History of Physics
For this history worksheet, students use the questions to discover meaningful science and history connections. The worksheet is meant to be viewed online to access individual answers.
Curated OER
What is the Rock Cycle and Its Processes?
Geology beginners examine three different rock samples and determine their origin by their characteristics. By making and recording observations, they become familiar with features of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types....
Curated OER
Famous Figures in History
Students investigate famous people in U.S. history. In this American history lesson, students read about famous people such as Helen Keller and Einstein. Students think of ways they might become famous.
Curated OER
A Sense of Location: The Mental Map
Students consider the ways a mental maps of geographic landmarks can help migrating animals stay on the correct course.
Curated OER
Observing Fall Migrants
Students keep a detailed data collection log of the different types of monarch behavior. They track the weather conditions daily and link it to the migration of the monarchs. They summarize their data using either a graph or a computer...
Curated OER
CHARTING A COURSE
Students model how a gyroscope works with string, an old phonograph record and crayon.
Curated OER
What Shape Is It?
Students predict the shape of an unknown object by bouncing a ball on it. In this physics lesson, students relate this activity to how dolphins use echo-location to navigate. They analyze their lab result and discuss findings.
Curated OER
All in the (Insect) Family
Students participate in a series of activities in order to explore the diversity of insects. They explore how insects are grouped and categorized.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Magnetic Fields
Students visualize the magnetic field of a strong permanent magnet using a compass. The lesson begins with an analogy to the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on a compass. Students see the connection that the compass simply responds...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Drawing Magnetic Fields
Students use a compass and a permanent magnet to trace the magnetic field lines produced by the magnet. By positioning the compass in enough spots around the magnet, the overall magnet field will be evident from the collection of arrows...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Visualizing Magnetic Field Lines
In this activity, students take the age old concept of etch-a-sketch a step further. Using iron filings, students begin visualizing magnetic field lines. To do so, students use a compass to read the direction of the magnet's magnetic...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Compasses in Magnetic Fields
Experiment with the compass in this tutorial to see how it responds to magnetic fields.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Magnetism: Magnetic Field Interactive
Students explore the magnetic field surrounding a simple bar magnet. They can drag the compass around in the space surrounding the bar magnet, and observe the effect of the magnet on the compass needle.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Magnetic Fields and Compass Orientation
Simulate the creation of an induced magnetic field through the use of a simple electric circuit. An interactive demonstration is included.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Circuits and Magnetic Fields
In this activity, students use the same method as in the activity from lesson 2 to explore the magnetism due to electric current instead of a permanent magnet. Students use a compass and circuit to trace the magnetic field lines induced...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Magnetic Bar Field Model
A bar magnet model built by placing a group of magnetic dipoles along the magnet. This simulation shows the magnetic field of a bar magnet, and has a movable compass which shows the magnetic field values.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Magnets and Electromagnets
Explore the interactions between a compass and bar magnet. Discover how to use a battery and wire to make a magnet.