Virginia Department of Education
Molecular Model Building
During this hands-on activity, young chemists build molecular models based on the Lewis dot structure before studying valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
Curated OER
Rover Landing Design Challenge
Young scholars examine the concepts of forces and motion. They work together to design protective devices for their egg rovers as they are dropped from a specific height. They record their observations and discuss.
Curated OER
Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
Curated OER
Lenz's Law
Young scholars conduct a series of experiments on electromagnetic induction. In this physics lesson, students apply the right hand rule to determine the current direction and electromotive force. They test Lenz's and Faraday's law by...
Columbus City Schools
Magnificent Mendeleev: An Elemental Tale
Discover how the periodic table tells the story of its elements. Learners begin by studying the makeup of several mixtures. Their analysis leads to a discussion of elements and the periodic table. As they dig deeper, they understand the...
Curated OER
Limiting Reagent
Students work in small groups with a small set of 8 nuts and 5 bolts to assemble into combinations of 1 nut: 1 bolt, and 2 nuts: 1 bolt. They explore the outcome and discuss. Then a student mixes two clear, colorless solutions together...
Curated OER
Celt Spoon
Learners investigate the invention of a celt spoon. They construct their own in order to make observations. This should include the spinning in opposite directions than that which it is sent. The construction instructions are included in...
Curated OER
Small Appliances Unit
An informative, but not particularly academic, unit about how to use a variety of kitchen appliances. Information about each appliance is given in a handout, as well as instructions for use and a few comprehension questions. This set of...
Curated OER
Enzymatic Action
Students observe how a cell uses an enzyme to rid itself of a poisonous substance by experimenting with hydrogen peroxide, potatoes, liver and carrots. They record the temperature and changes of the hydrogen peroxide as other elements...
Curated OER
Attenuation of Light in Water
Students explore what happens to light intensity as depth increases using a light intensity logger. They construct a PVC model to hold water and identify what factors could influence the amount of light attenuation.
Curated OER
Eating a Variety for Breakfast
Students describe different types of breakfasts they would like to eat. They make and eat breakfast food.
Curated OER
Kernel Power" Ethanol Fuel from Corn
Students study why corn is a biodegradable, renewable resource. For this ethanol lesson students build models and observe a chemical reaction.
Curated OER
Heating the Atmosphere
Students construct a thermograph for maximum and minimum temperatures for the 2-week period. They illustrate how the earth's atmosphere is heated by convection and conduction currents and evaporation of water.
Curated OER
Jell-O Optics
Learners observe an activity with Jell-O to learn about optics. In this investigative lesson students fill out a handout on the activity that helps them to investigate the index of refraction and the speed of light.
Curated OER
Synthesizing Pigment and Dyeing Cloth
Young scholars create a synthetic dye and oxidize the dye and record the effects.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy on a Roller Coaster
This activity utilizes hands-on learning with the conservation of energy and the interaction of friction. Students use a roller coaster track and collect position data. The students then calculate velocity, and energy data. After the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Two Dimensional Motion and Conservation of Energy
In this physics lab students look at conservation of energy to find the horizontal velocity of a sphere in order to predict where it will land.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Pendulum Lab
An interactive simulation that teaches about periodic motion, simple harmonic motion, and conservation of energy. Observe one or two pendulums to determine how the swing is influenced by the length of the string, the mass of the pendulum...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Adjusting Your Water Heater to Conserve Energy
In this lab-based activity, the students will accomplish two sequential goals. The first goal is to understand the law of conservation of energy.The second goal is to use their knowledge in part one to determine the temperature of a hot...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Energy Lab
Try and meet global energy demands by using alternative energy sources while keeping the carbon levels in the atmosphere down to acceptable levels. Simulator includes a data table available for download for student records.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: It's Tiggerific!
In Lesson 3, as part of the Research and Revise step, learners investigate potential energy held within springs (elastic potential energy). Class begins with a video of either spring shoes or bungee jumping. Students then move on into...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pushing It Off a Cliff
Lesson 2 moves into the Research and Revise step and focuses on the conservation of energy solely between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy. Students start out with a virtual laboratory, and then move into the notes and...
Other
Lehigh University: Energy
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on the world's energy sources. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about energy sources, production, and consumption.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Exploring Energy Conservation With Rulers and Cars
In this lab, students will investigate the law of conservation of energy. The lab is designed as something of an open, hands-on assessment where students demonstrate how to maximize the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy.