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Make a Battery From a Lemon
Fifth graders construct a voltaic battery. They change chemical energy into electrical energy by inserting copper wire into a lemon. They discover the tingle of the wire on their tongue is due to the movement of electrons.
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Electricity
Fourth graders experiment to find out how to light a bulb with simple materials. They make predictions if a light bulb set-up could work and gain knowledge to tell the difference between an open and closed circuit. They also figure out...
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The Earth Around Us: Air, Water & Soil
Second graders explore erosion and find the factors effecting erosion of hillsides. In this erosion lesson, 2nd graders experiment by creating a hillside and simulating rain. Students discuss and record their results on...
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Scouting for Circuits
Fifth graders investigate electricity and how it used in a circuit to be useful energy. They also use this investigation in order to understand how energy can change forms and still be considered useful if put into the right form.
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New Year's Resolution
Young scholars brainstorm ways they can reduce their energy consumption and then create New Year's Resolutions with their families to put these conservation plans into action.
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Benjamin Franklin and Electricity
Second graders study Benjamin Franklin and participate in simple experiments in electricity.
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Energy
Students distinguish between kinetic an potential energy. They recognize that energy is conserved when changing from one form to another. Students compare the scientific meaning of work with its everyday meaning.
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Warm and Toasty
Students are introduced to the concepts of specific heat and heat capacity. In groups, they design an experiment to test these two topics on various fabrics. They compare and contrast the amount of heat loss on the different materials...
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Achy, Breaky Nerve
High schoolers will develop models of neurons to understand the function of myelin as it applies to the normal and abnormal transmission of nerve impulses. In addition, the students will also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge...
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Metalloids
Students discuss metalloids, their use as semiconductors, and their impact on the computer industry. They work in groups to create a visual timeline showing the evolution of the computer.
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Heat: The Transfer of Thermal Energy
For this heat worksheet, students complete experiments with heat and answer short answer questions about the transfer of thermal energy. Students complete 4 questions, one chart, and one bar graph.
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Circuits and Conductors
Students explore electricity by completing Internet activities. In this physical science lesson plan, students identify an electric circuit and describe the characteristics of conductors, giving examples as well. Students...
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Ape Cave Exploration
Students simulate online the formation of Ape Cave, in order to better explain its construction. They observe, illustrate and discuss geological features of this lava tube.
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Teaching Avogadro's Number
High schoolers design an experiment to determine Avogadro's number. Students utilize an ammeter, an electrolytic cell and internet research.
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Turning Up The Heat!
Students investigate the properties of heat. They explore methods of temperature control and measurement. Through experimentation and activities, students design a high tech tree house. They consider electrical, solar, and natural heat...
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Sun Friendly Homes
Students design and build a model solar energy home. In this technology instructional activity, students test the efficiency of their model houses by measuring temperature at regular intervals. They analyze data and share results with...
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Electric Circuits
Students explore energy by completing an electricity worksheet. In this conductors lesson plan, students define the energy related vocabulary terms circuit, electronics, conductor and semi-conductor before examining computer chips in...
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Matter Matters
Second graders listen to a teacher read aloud introducing a unit about how water changes state. They investigate the state of water as it changes from a solid, to a liquid to a gas.
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Maintaining Body Heat
Young scholars observe and compare heat loss in different objects with surface-to-volume ratios. They transfer this comparison to the physical characteristics of animals in their environment. They focus on how whales maintain their body...
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Frozen Water Before? I'm Sure You Have; But I Bed You've Never Frozen Salt Water! Water!!
Students examine what happens to salt water when it freezes. In groups, they measure density and salt concentrations in different samples of water and record its freezing time. They discuss the relationship between water density and...
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The Little Transistor That Could
Students research the history of the transistor to explore the nature of technology. They complete a worksheet that coincides with given websites. Then they write a one-page essay about their findings.
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Circuit City
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of circuits and how electricity works. In groups, they design their own subdivision with houses in which they have inside and outside light sources. To end the activity, they make the...
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Brain Cells
In this brain cells worksheet, students learn about neurons. Students read about the different types of neurons and their life span. Students also study the neuron diagram and glial cells.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction
Students observe, describe, and draw a model on the molecular level, showing how energy is transferred from one substance to another through conduction.