Curated OER
Stepper Motor
Students compare a stepper motor from a traditional motor. In this physics instructional activity, students summarize how it works. They build their own stepper motor and explore its uses.
Curated OER
Storms and Extreme Weather
Students explore hurricanes and tornadoes by conducting an experiment. In this weather pattern lesson, students define many extreme weather vocabulary terms and discuss the relationship with static electricity. Students utilize plastic...
Curated OER
Ecological Impact of River Dams
Young scholars investigate their environment by completing an in-class experiment. In this ecological lesson plan, students define the roles of dams and how electricity is created by them. Young scholars utilize plastic jugs,...
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Applied Science - Physics Post-Lab
Students investigate energy. In this Physics instructional activity, students explore different sources of energy: heat, nuclear, and chemical. Students sing an electricity song.
Curated OER
Physical Science Review 5th Grade
In this review of physical science worksheet, students use recall to answer multiple choice questions about electricity and chemical changes. Students answer 25 questions.
Curated OER
Design Project: Intercom System
In this electrical worksheet students design an intercom circuit and answer 2 open-ended questions about the volume control and microphone of the intercom. This worksheet can be printed and the answers to the questions are available...
Curated OER
Baking Ice Cream
Young scholars discover the concept of an insulator. In this science experiment lesson, students follow the directions for baking ice cream. When baking is completed, young scholars observe the results and answer questions on the...
Curated OER
Push and Pull Magnets
Fifth graders pull a paper clip sitting on paper with a magnet beneath the paper. They experiment to see what happens if they substitute the paper with thicker paper and other materials (plywood, glass, foil, etc.)
Curated OER
Electronic Components
Students review new terminology and computer circuits and the value of a resistor. They complete three experiments, "Resistance Activities," Transistor Activities,"Diode Activities" and enter data, results and their findings on Student...
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The Physics of Toys
Students explore physics by experimenting with classic toys. In this physical science lesson, students utilize gliders, energy balls, bouncing balls, marbles and other toys to explore how they work. Students explore each toy at a work...
Curated OER
Electric Field Mapping / Equipotential Lines
Students determine the equipotential lines surrounding a charged object. In this physics lesson, students draw lines to identify areas. They relate the spacing of the field lines to the strength of the charge.
Curated OER
Plate, punch card, and instructions for Herman Hollerith's Electric Sorting and Tabulating Machine
Students read an article and participate in a class discussion. In this technology and engineering instructional activity students conduct an online search for images and terms.
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Homopolar Motor Experiments
Students construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
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Harnessing Solar Energy
Students discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers, and calculators. After a lecture/demo, students create their own solar collectors and test their efficiency.
Curated OER
Electrical Circuits - Current & Voltage in Series Circuits
Students investigate the relationship between current and voltage in a series circuit. In this physics lesson, students measure the current across each light bulb. They predict what happens to the circuit if one bulb is blows out.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Science Pen Pals
Young scholars explore the scientific career of Benjamin Franklin. In this science lesson, students discuss Franklin's correspondence with other scientists and write letters describing Benjamin Franklin's experiments.
Teach Engineering
Solar Power
Elementary schoolers discover how engineers use solar energy to heat buildings. They take a close look at some of the materials used: sand, salt, water, and shredded paper and evaluate the efficiency of each material. An incredible...
STEM for Teachers
Electromagnificent
This physics pun really hertz, but this STEM lesson plan can help. The inquiry-based activity has young scientists create a testable question about electromagnetic strength; plan and implement their own experiments; and record and...
Rochester Institute of Technology
Solar Energy
Warm up to the idea of solar energy. A lesson includes three activities that challenge scholars to apply knowledge in new ways. First, they learn to run an alarm clock without a battery by using solar energy. Next, they complete an...
NASA
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Did you realize the visible light spectrum is less than three percent of the electromagnetic spectrum? A hands-onlesson includes five activities and experiments for scholars to explore and discover many advanced science concepts. They...
Curated OER
Making Summer School Less of a Drag
Teaching summer school is the perfect opportunity for experimenting and expanding your classroom repertoire.
Chymist
Energy of a Peanut
Are you nuts? An engaging experiment burns nuts to find their kilocalories. Young chemists analyze at least two different types of nuts with their experimental results versus what is on the package. The resource offers a great lab...
Curated OER
Bubble and Boyle
Even middle schoolers still enjoy experimenting with bubbles! They execute a series of experiments enabling them to distinguish between convex and concave surfaces, explore the properties of buoyancy, surface tension, and density,...
Curated OER
Rat Round Up
Students build a device that captures and carries a pet rat safely back to its cage with out "harming" the rat or themselves. They build and experiment with wind-up or battery operated rat cat toys after predicting the outcome of their...