Curated OER
Evidence of Chemical Change
In this chemical change worksheet, young scholars conduct 4 experiments set up around the room. They follow the instructions at each station for each experiment and list the physical properties and observe any changes at each station....
Curated OER
The Pure, The Mixture, The Unknown
Ninth graders participate in classroom discussions, demonstrations and hands-on laboratory activities about pure substances and mixtures with a focus on common household materials. They investigate: What is a pure substance? What is a...
Curated OER
Red, Green, and Blue Mystery Liquids! Hypothesis or Inference?
Eighth graders are actively involved in the scientific method and inquiry as they form quick hypotheses based upon a teacher set of mystery liquids. They determine the need to make additional observations of the liquids.
Curated OER
Hide and Seek
Students examine animals that use camouflage and discuss why they use it. They create drawing of an imaginary animal that uses camouflage to hide in the classroom and identify the adaptations that would allow it to hide effectively.
Curated OER
The Cantankerous Pathogen
Students explore what factors influence the spread of infectious diseases. They explain how human manipulation of the environment affects the transmission of diseases.
Curated OER
Physical/Chemical Properties of a Burning Candle
Learners investigate the physical and chemical properties of a candle before and after it is lit. They conduct a burning candle experiment, and complete a KWL chart and worksheet, recording the results of the investigation.
Curated OER
State of Matter - Atoms
Students examine and discuss how atoms change from solid to liquid to gas. They inflate a balloon by melting ice that converts to steam, and discuss the results.
Curated OER
Draw a Scientist
Students think to themselves about what a scientist might look like when they're working and then draw a picture of a scientist at work and discuss their drawings. They notice the number of men compared to women and other such...
Curated OER
Investigating Convection Currents
Students examine how differences in the temperature and salinity of the water help create ocean currents. They perform an experiment which shows how temperature affects the circulation of ocean water.
Curated OER
Carbon: Structure Matters
Young scholars read the Who We Are Section on Calfee Designs Webpage and discuss carbon usage. They work in pairs to look up the minerals diamond and graphite then create a chart on the properties of each mineral then compare how they...
Curated OER
Volcano!-Thar She Blows!
Middle schoolers describe how volcanoes are formed. They name the types of boundaries where volcanoes occur. They utilize models to illustrate the occurence of volcanoes and earthquakes along plate boundaries. They compare and constrast...
Curated OER
How Does Convection Happen in Our Atmosphere?
Students explore convection and how it happens in the earth's atmosphere.
Curated OER
Comparing Earth and Mars
Students work together to compare and contrast Mars and Earth. Using the internet, they answer questions given to them by their teacher and calculate answers showing their work. They graph their answers and discuss the results of the...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics Day 4 Earth's Interior Structure and Convection Currents
Students introduced to the interior structure of the Earth. They explore how the Earth's interior is broken down according to both it's physical properties and it's chemical composition. Students explore how convection currents within...
Virginia Department of Education
Mineral Identification
What's the difference between a rock and a mineral? And what properties are used to identify minerals? The first installment of a five-part series on earth materials and processes prompts young scientists to identify a set of...
Curated OER
Industrialization, Chemicals and Human Health - Math
Learners review the units of the metric system, and practice estimating measures before actually converting between the two systems of measurement. They participate in activities to visualize a concentration of one part per million....
Curated OER
Hurricanes
Learners state and directly experience two laws of Physics (Law of Gravity, Law of Centrifugal Force) that affect weather. They explain the observations made when using the "hurricane machine" and relate them to other events and phenomenon.
PHET
CME Plotting
Young scientists build on their previous knowledge and apply it to coronal mass ejections. By plotting the path of two different coronal mass ejections, they develop an understanding of why most don't collide with Earth.
Curated OER
Self Portrait, What Nerve!
Students conduct an experiment to determine the distance between touch receptor fields in parts of the right-hand side of the body. They enter data into the data table.
Curated OER
Whale Fast Food Conversions
Students calculate feeding rates of whales and compare this to the feeding rates of humans.
Curated OER
The Magical Diving Sub
First graders discuss and predict if a given object sinks or floats. They record their predictions on a data sheet. Pupils test the objects and organize them into floating/sinking groups. Students observe the floating and sinking of a...
Curated OER
What's The World Made Of?
Second graders identify the three states of matter by examining fishbowls with various contents. They discuss their observations and the characteristics of matter in each state. Pupils read the story The Rainbow Fish and look for...
Curated OER
Herb is the Word
Students conduct an experiment to determine how different soils affect plant growth over a six-week period. After determining the physical properties of different types of soil, students plant various types of seeds into the soil...