Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Considerations in Heating a Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Emerging engineers discover how important it is to conserve energy as fossil fuel supplies are being diminished. This is accomplished by working through a handout that explains energy requirements for heating a home during the winter....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Wet Robot

For Teachers 5th - 8th
After hearing about the 2006 PHAEDRA mission that explored the Aegean Sea, middle schoolers work in groups to create a robotic vehicle. They must consider power, propulsion, and other vital systems. Use the multitude of external...
Lesson Plan
University of California

Energy and Biomass Pyramids

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Young scientists play tag as they act out the food pyramid in the ocean ecosystem. Energy circles pass from the smaller prey to the predators and at the end of the activity, a data chart and analysis questions allow pupils to apply their...
Worksheet
SFPOnline

States of Matter Worksheet

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Young scientists get to the heart of the matter as they complete this worksheet on the properties of solids, liquids, and gases.
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Oh Heron

For Teachers 4th
Two teams—the environmentalists and herons—play four rounds of the game, Oh Heron. Using hand symbols to represent food, shelter, and water, players locate their match to produce more herons while those unmatched decompose. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in the Copper Penny

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the difference between a physical change in a substance and a chemical change. students study the volume, density, altering shape and chemistry of a copper penny.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Sugar

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this chemical and physical change worksheet, students use a sugar cube and observe its physical properties both when it is whole and after it is crushed. They heat the sugar cube and record 5 properties of the matter while being...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Changes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and identify chemical and physical changes in a variety of substances. They observe a vinegar and baking soda demonstration, and a water, laundry detergent, and Epsom salt mixture demonstration. They discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Look Alikes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare and contrast the physical features of parents and offspring. In this life science lesson, 3rd graders classify a set of animal pictures according to their similarities. They share and explain their work in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Types of Energy in Different Objects

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate forms of energy. In this physical science energy lesson, students work with a partner classifying household items according to the type of energy they have. Students complete a related worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Comet Model and Eat It!

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students construct a comet model based on procedure provided. In this space science lesson, students compare the physical properties of comets to the models they made. They record their observations and share them with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take the Pulse of Your Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discuss seismic waves. In this science lesson, students investigate the acceleration of the floor in the classroom similar to a seismograph. Students observe a three-component seismogram from an earthquake and determine what it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Saltwater Science

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amusement Park Physics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students get up close and personal with principles of motion. In this physics lesson plan, students collect and analyze acceleration data on amusement park rides. Students use CBLs to collect data in this lesson plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Lesson Plan

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the importance of water in our daily lives. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the pressure of water tower systems. They investigate the effect of certain variables using a computer simulation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Emperor's New Clothes and Mahler's Ninth Symphony" Writing to Explain, Confidently and Efficiently, Even Physics!

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners combine their study of physics with their study of best practices when writing to inform. They communicate with experts using e-mail before creating a brochure based on their study of universal gravitation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Life

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore American colonial life. In this interdisciplinary history and science lesson, 5th graders participate in several hands-on activities that require them to make colonial products that involve physical or chemical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics The Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will explore our solar system. In this physics lesson students create a model of the solar system to explore the movement of Earth, the Sun, and stars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics: Electricity and Magnetism

For Teachers K - 3rd
Pupils draw series and parallel electrical circuits. In this electromagnet lesson, students describe how current changes depend on circuit components. Pupils use an OHT of a series and parallel circuit to predict the path of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Globe Skills Lesson 10 Apollo 11

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop their globe skills. In this geography skills instructional activity, students use a globe and a softball to replicate distance between the earth and its moon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Off the Grid

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non renewable energy sources.  In this engineering lesson plan students explain what it means for a house to be "off the grid".
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Packaging

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the functions of packaging food and how the designs work.  In this food packaging lesson students identify the changes that occur in different types of materials. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Photoelectric Effect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After some online instruction, chemistry aces use their creative abilities to produce a poster describing the photoelectric effect and one type of imaging technology that uses electromagnetic radiation. This simple, straightforward...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Battery

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders make a battery. In this physical science lesson, 5th graders word in pairs make the battery. Students follow 4 steps to create the battery.