Curated OER
The Sun Affects Earth
Third graders read, write, and listen to information about the sun and its effects on the Earth.as it relates to its axis, orbit, rotate, and revolution. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders examine how the sun...
Curated OER
Kaleidoscope
Students explore energy by creating a light project in class. In this kaleidoscope lesson, students discuss the properties of light and how mirrors can reflect the energy in different directions. Students view a diagram of light...
Curated OER
The Physics of Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air
Students study hummingbirds and how they use Newton's law. In this motion lesson students complete several activities and view videos of hummingbirds.
Curated OER
Summer Science Lesson Plans
You can use these lesson plans to incorporate some science into your summer.
Curated OER
Watershed Landscape
Students demonstrate how water flows by building a human watershed using themselves. In this ecology lesson, students compare and contrast point-source and non-point source pollution. They write what they have learned from this activity...
Curated OER
Allocating Energy from a Photovoltaic System
Students analyze the power ratings of appliances they use on a daily basis and for the amount of time used each day. After examining their electric energy usage, students develop examples of compromises that could be made in order to...
Curated OER
How Much Energy is a Kilowatt Hour?
Students study the conservation of energy. In this energy instructional activity students explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
Curated OER
Power Blackout Assessment
Learners discuss the importance of power grids in power generation. In this physics lesson plan, students explain the impact of power failure. They investigate the power blackout in 2003 and discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Solar Power
Students discover how engineers use solar energy to heat buildings. They investigate the thermal properties of different materials. They evaluate the usefulness of each material.
Curated OER
Heat Unit
Students define thermal equilibrium. They distinguish between internal energy and heat. Students describe how the quantity of heat that enters or leaves a substance is measured.
Curated OER
Energy Levels and Electron Configurations
Twelfth graders investigate the proper filling order of electrons in the energy levels of an atom. They practice how to "read" these occupied energy levels as electron configurations and demonstrate their understanding through creative...
Curated OER
Heat and Light Come From Various Sources
First graders study heat and light and how they come from various sources. They list sources of heat and light and identify the different energy sources as heat, light, or both heat and light.
Curated OER
Physical Principles in Living Systems
Seventh graders experiment with white light, plane mirrors, and curved mirrors in order to demonstrate the physical principles of living systems. In this physical principles lesson plan, 7th graders take 3 days to discover what happens...
Curated OER
Movement of Objects
Ninth graders investigate motion. In this science lesson, 9th graders conduct experiments on objects to analyze motion and speed. They define motion in everyday life.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #1 Solar Cell Inquiry
Young scholars use a selection of solar panels, lamps, motors, and an AA battery to get as many motors or lights to operate as they can in an allotted time period. For each successful arrangement, they draw a diagram of their setup,...
Curated OER
Electricity and Magnets
In this physics review worksheet, students compare average and instantaneous speed, review Newton's laws, electricity, and magnets. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank, 8 short answer questions, and 6 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Sustainability Project
Students explore alternative energy sources. In this environmental lesson, students discuss alternative energy sources and construct a plan to incorporate an alternative home technology into a bedroom. Students build a model of their...
Colorado State University
What Is a "Model"?
Model the transfer of energy during a typical 24-hour period. Young scholars use a game-like approach to learning the patterns of heat transfer through the day and night. Groups of four exchange different tokens as the energy...
Bowels Physics
Direct and Inverse Relationships
Viewers learn to recognize direct and inverse relationships in the world of physics with a presentation that reveals how to recognize a direct versus an inverse relationship from a formula or graph. After showing basic examples, the...
Colorado State University
What's the Difference Between Blue Light and Red Light?
Finally, an electromagnetic spectrum lab that will get glowing reviews from your class! Explore the nature of light using red and blue LED sources and fantastic phosphorescent paper. Young scientists compare the effects of blue light...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Consumer Products
Students recognize different consumer products, found in and around the home, that have reactive or denaturing properties when used together. They explore chemical and physical properties of each product by identifying chemical formulas...
Curated OER
Exploring the Water Cycle
The water cycle is one of earth's most easily observable processes, but demonstrating each step within classroom walls can be a challenge. Through a series of videos and quick demonstrations, cover each aspect of the hydrologic cycle in...
CK-12 Foundation
Power Lines
How does electricity travel through power lines? The simulation demonstrates the how changes in voltage and resistance are related to the distance between power polls and the thickness of the cable. Scholars control three variables in...
CK-12 Foundation
Electric Analogies
We can see the result of electricity but not the process itself. The simulation compares electric circuits to a water tower and water wheel cycle. Young scientists adjust the height of the tower, the amount of resistance, and if...