Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. For this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars study solar energy.  In this renewable energy lesson students complete several lab activities using different controls and variables. 
Lesson Plan
LABScI

Photosynthesis: How Do Plants Get Energy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Examine the mechanism of photosynthesis through different light scenarios. Pupils vary the amount and type of light exposure on plant leaves in the fifth lesson plan in a 12-part series. Through observation, they determine the rate of...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

For Students 6th - 12th
Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would not be inhabitable. A thorough online resource describes the greenhouse effect and how it occurs. The source highlights the different types of gases that work together to absorb the sun's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy, Light, Heat, and Sound

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate various forms of energy. They compare potential and kinetic energy at different points during the period of a pendulum, design an apparatus that displays potential and kinetic energy, and analyze the advantages...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snow Goggles And Limiting Sunlight

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students build snow goggles similar to those used by the Inuit people. They create their version of the goggles to improve upon existing designs. Pupils compare the process used to invent snow goggles with that employed by the MESSENGER...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cosmic Chemistry: An Elemental Question

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Space scientists investigate the cosmic phenomena in order to search for answers to possible origins of the solar system. They consider the concepts of elements and  isotopes. Data is analyzed looking at tje abundance of elements...
Printables
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National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Biology Reference Sheet

For Teachers 7th - 12th
First year life science or biology pupils will appreciate this all-inclusive reference page. It provides a diagram of both a plant and an animal cell, the metric system prefixes, classification levels, definitions for cell processes, the...
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Here Comes the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore concept of how solar energy is gathered by solar panels and adapted to provide power to machines, disassemble solar powered calculator and explore component parts, and work in teams to suggest design enhancements to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Racing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers harness the power of the sun to design, construct and evaluate a solar-powered model car of their creation. They race their cars in a "Solar Sprint" race modeled after the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Junior...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Oven

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders design two different solar ovens to learn about heat transfer. They investigate the movement of heat between objects by conduction, convection, and radiation. They become aware of things they can't control, like the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Students utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and help...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rate of Photosynthesis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the rate of photosynthesis using elodea leaves. In this photosynthesis lesson plan, students place elodea in a test tube filled with water. They include baking soda and place the test tube under a lamp. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Redesign the Rover: Mars Research Year-Round

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the solar system, the planets, periods of orbit and revolution.  In this space lesson students discuss the importance of the study of Mars and brainstorm ideas on how NASA might solve its Rover design problem. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy and the Environment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define alternative energy form, design models which show how the energy source can be used, and explain the purpose of dams.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Energy: Become a Sun Chef!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils design and construct a solar cooker. They use the Internet to research solar collectors and the process of changing light energy into heat energy.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Producers Make Their Own Food

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
During an inquiry-based lesson, scholars decide which variable to test and then design an experiment to determine the needs of producers. After two weeks, they complete a full analysis and research paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let There Be Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students plant seeds and learn about photosynthesis.  In this photosynthesis lesson, students plant watercress seeds, cut a design into cardboard and cover the seedlings with the cardboard.  Students observe as the seeds in the...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Making a Battery

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Powered Cars

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students build and race solar powered cars after a teacher lecture. They answer questions based on their experiences with the car they build.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Your Garden Grow?

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young gardners read and listen to books about seeds, plants, and the growing process. They plant seeds in plastic cups to observe the process of root-growing and plant formation. The whole class walks through a field to collect seeds...
Lesson Plan
American Association for the Advancement of Science

Sensing the Invisible: The Herschel Experiment

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners of light will construct a contraption in which light is passed through a prism and shone into a box. The temperatures at different points along the path and outside of the path of light. The intent is to imitate William...