Center for Precollegiate Education and Training
Buoyancy Boats
What did the sea say to the boat? Nothing, it just waved. An inquiry-based lesson starts with a simple concept on the Archimedes Principle and challenges pupils to make something out of clay that floats. Then, they design...
Science 4 Inquiry
A Whole New World: The Search for Water
Scholars find Earth won't support humans much longer and need to identify a planet with water to inhabit. They test four unknown samples and determine which is the closest to water. Then they explain and defend their results.
Curated OER
Invasives and Macroinvertebrates
Students view macroinvertebrates, or discuss previous collection activity. They graph data on macroinvertebrates in the Hudson River. Students discuss the relationship between habitat, environmental changes, and invertebrate diversity or...
Curated OER
Saltwater Science
Students conduct an experiment that shows them how salt water allows things to float. In this salt water lesson plan, students mix ingredients together to create salt water and observe how it makes the oceans dense. They then interpret...
Curated OER
Density and Buoyancy Experimental Design
Students must plan, design, and conduct an experiment that answers the scientific question: "Come up with a question that addresses the factors (variables) of the water and its effect on whether an object floats or sinks."
Curated OER
Earth Science: The Structure of the Earth
Students identify and complete activities about the structure of the Earth. In this Earth structure lesson, students view a Powerpoint about the Earth's layers and complete a diagram. students compare temperatures in the Earth's layers...
Curated OER
It's OK to Reach Your Boiling Point!
Middle schoolers view a video which introduces them to density and the states of matter. They experiment, collect data, and graph the boiling/freezing points of several edible items...and then make brownies!
Curated OER
Cody's Science Education Zone
Students observe a scientific experiment and pose a hypothesis. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students make predictions about the combination of alcohol in water and how it will affect a floating ice cube.
Curated OER
To Float or Not to Float, That is the Question?
Ninth graders develop operational definition of density, do computations using density equation, categorize pieces of matter as being able to float on
water or not, based on density, explain why some objects sink or float based on...
Curated OER
Properties of Matter
High schoolers investigate the properties of matter. In this properties of matter lesson, students observe containers of different metals and discuss their properties including density. High schoolers find the density of an unknown metal...
Curated OER
Water
Young scholars conduct a series of investigations on the unique properties of water. In this general science lesson, students explain what causes water's surface tension. They explain the different stages in the water cycle.
Curated OER
Are You a Trend Setter?
Students are introduced to the periodic table of elements. They devise and perform and experiment in which they determine the density of specific elements. They use their results to predict the density of other elements in the same group.
Curated OER
Properties of Water with a Splash of Color
Students explore the properties of water. In this cross curriculum art and physical science lesson plan, students experiment with a variety of materials to demonstrate the cohesive forces and adhesion of water. Students create a water...
Curated OER
The Great Ocean Conveyor
Students investigate water density. For this water density lesson, students conduct an experiment with food coloring, water and salt to see how the salt effects bodies of water.
Curated OER
What's The Matter: A Sinker or Floater?
Young scholars conduct an experiment. In this water lesson, students watch the lesson "Float and Sink" on an interactive website. Young scholars learn how to test items in water and then work in groups to test their items. Students...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Oil Spill Cleanup
Students experiment by creating an oil spill and trying a number of clean up methods. They determine which methods are the least costly and most effective. They role play as an environmental engineer and as an oil company owner who must...
Curated OER
Hot Air Balloons
Learners examine how a hot air balloon works. In this hot air balloon lesson plan, students do an experiment to test the effects of heat on density. Learners make their own hot air balloon and act out how nitrogen moves when turned to a...
Curated OER
What's the Matter? (Grades 6-7)
Students explain the physical properties of matter. They, in groups, perform a variety of experiments, each demonstrating a different property of matter. A very nice, hands-on lesson!
Curated OER
How Big is a Molecule?
Students calculate the size of a molecule. In this molecules and their sizes lesson plan, students find the size of an oleic acid molecule by using a measured amount of drops of oleic acid to find the volume of the sample, the thickness...
Curated OER
Sink or Float
Second graders explore floating and sinking and make predictions about whether certain objects are likely to sink or float. They read the story Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. Pupils loacate rhyming words and discuss the events of...
Virginia Department of Education
Work and Power
Assist your class with correctly calculating the values for force, work, and power as they determine the amount various activities require. They gather data and participate in a group discussion to compare results upon conclusion of the...
Virginia Department of Education
Greenhouse Gas Modeling Activity
Why are greenhouse gases called greenhouse gases? Young Earth scientists learn about greenhouse gases though experimentation in the second installment of a 3-part series. They use lamps to model radiant energy as well...
Curated OER
Why Do Certain Things Float, While Some Sink?
First graders conduct an experiment. In this density lesson, 1st graders work in groups to test 10 different objects to see which ones sink and float. Students discuss why certain objects float and others do not.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Post-Lab
Students explore optical illusions. In this Applied Science lesson, students view optical illusions and record the data of what they see. Students graph the data that they collect.