"Humans have become a geologic agent comparable to erosion and [volcanic] eruptions ..." Paul J. Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist. Using Landsat imagery, scholars create a grid showing land use type, such as urban,...

Study various types of mathematical models in this math lesson. Learners calculate the slope to determine the risk in a situation described. They respond to a number of questions and analyze their statistical data. Then, they determine...

Fourth and fifth graders make predictions using data. In this analyzing data lesson plan, pupils use experimental data, frequency tables, and line plots to look for patterns in the data in order to determine chance. You will need to make...

Students isolate and determine the amount of plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride. They use Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) or Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and gravimetric techniques in this experiment.

Sixth graders explore using inverse operations to solve decimal and fraction problems. In this decimal and fraction instructional activity, 6th graders prepare ribbon for a part and need to cut it in equal lengths. Students analyze the...

Dust is everywhere around us; it's unavoidable. But what exactly is dust and are certain locations dustier than others? These are the questions students try to answer in an interesting scientific investigation. Working independently or...

Prepare to accelerate your Android. Pupils prep for the upcoming activity in this third installment of a four-part series. The lesson progresses nicely by first introducing different types of acceleration to the class. The teacher...

Learners design an investigation using yeast. In this environmental engineering lesson, students design an investigation to determine how environmental factors affect the growth of yeast. They will collect quantitative data and discuss...

Fifth graders examine patterns and relate to equations to solve math problems.  In this patterns lesson plan, 5th graders diagram, graph, use models and use tables to solve equations for real world problems.

Which fluids make the best bubbles? Pupils experiment with multiple fluids to determine which allows for the largest bubbles before popping. They gather data, analyze it in multiple ways, and answer analysis questions proving they...

The instructional activity focuses on the ideas of dot plot representations and the mean absolute deviation of data sets.

Here is a well-designed lesson on biodiversity that should intrigue your charges. In it, pupils compare a natural desert area to a school field to see how habitat destruction affects species diversity. Groups set up transects and collect...

Students explore the concept of probability.  In this probability instructional activity, students use area to determine probability.  Students use charts and spinners to help determine the probability of events such as...

Students examine carbon output. In this climate change lesson, students plan and complete an assessment of local businesses and schools based on the carbon output of their electrical usage.

Here's a five-star lesson plan in which inquisitors conduct sophisticated experimentation with cellular respiration in plant seeds. Placing seeds in a closed system they measure the amount carbon dioxide produced and relate it to...

Students study a way to quantify the process of photosynthesis during a given time using the Elodea plant. They design a hypothesis that they test in the hands on activity. They compare the amounts of photosynthesis that occur during low...

Pupils often wonder how we know the distance to various stars. Starting with a thought experiment and progressing to a physical experiment, they determine the brightness and distance to various stars. The evaluation requires...

Students determine how scientists measure pollutants in food and the environment. Students discover how scientists remove one material based on its physical properties. Students figure out how much of a pollutant is present after...

Students compare the population of insects in different microclimates. In this biology lesson, students collect data using probes to tabulate temperature and soil data. They predict how certain parameters change as an area goes...

Students investigate the impacts of major rainfall and subsequent runoff on turbidity in lakes. They, in groups, develop a presentation of their research and/or write a paper summarizing their investigation.

Students investigate carpooling and determine to what extent it occurs in their community for a carpool challenge. In groups, students create a survey then collect, calculate and record data to determine how much pollution could be...

Students perform an experiment that measures respiration.  For this performing an experiment that measures respiration lesson, students discuss aerobic and anaerobic respiration.  Students measure the gas produced by putting...

Middle schoolers investigate the finding of a hypothesis and how it can be tested.For the experiment they will be using the concept of probability. Students design an experiment and test the hypothesis. Then the results are graphed...

Students investigate the concepts of probability. They use data to find the central tendency, median, and mode. Students design and play a game in order to practice the concepts. They also complete a table with data that is analyzed.