Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electron Arrangements

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students write electron configurations and identify groups.  In this investigative lesson students use valence electrons to draw electron dot structures. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunlight and Warm Air

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners discuss radiant energy from the sun, performing a simple experiment with sun glasses and bright light to demonstrate the concept. Students further participate in simple in-class experiments to demonstrate: air density as it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes Inside Planets

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students relate meteorites to the mantle and crust of asteroids.  In this planetary lesson plan students complete experiments to model the separation of light.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry: Acids and Alkalis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify substances that are acids and alkalis. In this acids and alkalis instructional activity, students conduct tests to determine if given substances are acids or alkalis. They test substances and explain the different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cleaning Air with Balloons

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine how a pollutant recovery method functions in cleaning industrial air pollution. They listen to a teacher-led discussion, conduct an experiment with balloons, static electricity, and pepper, and observe and record the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnets. In this physics lesson, students build their own electromagnet and explain how it works. They determine the factors that affect its strength.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnets

For Teachers K - 8th
Students explore the many uses of magnets. in a compass, an alarm, salvage yard equipment to lift tons of metals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conductors and Insulators

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore conductors and insulators. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders act as electrons moving through a wire. Students break into groups representing conductors and insulators and explore how they work with electrons.
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Force Field Physics

For Teachers 8th Standards
Attracted class members to an activity-packed journey through the science behind the invisible forces at work all around us. From jump rope generators to junkyard wars, there's never a dull moment when eighth grade physics scholars...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Hydrophobic Surfaces—Deposition and Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Couches, carpets, and even computer keyboards now advertise they are spill-resistant, but what does that mean? Scholars use physical and chemical methods to coat surfaces with thin films to test their hydrophobic properties. Then they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conductors and Insulators

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars describe safe practices that are appropriate to a range of situations and environments. They discuss how electricity runs through wires that are insulated so that it cannot escape and determine that you can get...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Warm

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders measure the temperature of water using a thermometer. They record the temperatures of water on a chart. Students use the temperature data to determine which materials are the best conductors of heat. They discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acids and Bases - Vinegar II

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders experiment what happens when acids and bases are mixed together. In this acids and bases experimental lesson, 8th graders decide which of three solutions of unknown pH will neutralize a fourth solution of unknown pH.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lemon Battery

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners construct their own battery made of lemons. For this electrochemistry lesson, students explain why lemons conduct electricity. They perform a series of experiments to investigate its conductivity.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Acids and Bases

For Students 7th - 12th
In this acids and bases worksheet, students conduct an experiment to determine if solutions are electrolytic or nonelectrolytic. After completing the experiment, students answer 1 short answer question.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat and Matter

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore liquids and solids by conducting in class experiments. In this matter lesson, students define the properties of matter and how heat can change those properties. Students experiment with heating objects such as butter and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atmospheric Processes - Radiation

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate how different surfaces absorb heat, and how the physical characteristics of a surface have a powerful effect on the way a surface absorbs and releases heat from the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Hair Raising Experience

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders conduct an investigation using glass, metal ,fur, latex balloon, plastic bag and hair to generate static electricity of varying amounts. They predict, observe, make comparisons, and draw conclusions about static electricity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Battery From a Lemon

For Teachers 5th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oscillations

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students construct and compare the actions of various pendulums. In this pendulum motion lesson, students build and test different types of pendulums. They conduct experiments with the length of the swing arm and apply mathematical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetism

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners explore the generation of magnetic fields from currents in wires and measure the magnetic field directions. They measure magnetic fields in their own environment. They also examine how moving magnetic fields can create currents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electricity - How it Works and How We Measure and Pay For It

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate energy consumption by researching wattage.  For this electricity lesson, students discuss how electricity works and gets transferred to our electronic devices through generators and circuits.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pop Around the World

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students study the origin of popcorn. They locate countries where it is grown on a world map. They color the world map and glue kernels of popcorn onto the countries from which popcorn originated. They write the names of common items...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ion (Derstand) Bonding through Energy Level Diagrams

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate ionic bonding through energy level diagrams. In this ion bonding lesson plan, 9th graders observe demonstrations to show energy level diagrams using magnets to represent the subatomic particles. Students fill...