Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ice Floats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the changing density of water. In this physics lesson plan, students investigate how an object's density determines whether it will float or sink in water. They explain why this unique property of is important to living...
Lesson Plan
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Cruising the Mantle

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the plate boundaries of the earth. Through the use of video, internet and hands-on activities, students examine the types of plate boundaries. They create a model to illustrate the movement and interaction of the...
Lesson Plan
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Human Machine

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the human body by conducting an exercise in class. In this human anatomy lesson, students view a diagram of the human body and identify the specific bones and joints that allow us to perform specific exercises like...
Lesson Plan
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Egg Walk Challenge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners design plastic shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. For this pressure lesson, students consider all the factors needed to design shoes to walk on eggs without breaking them. Learners calculate the PSI pressure, the force...
Lesson Plan
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Galileo: His Times & Beliefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.
Lesson Plan
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The Phenomenon of Sound: Waves

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore sound waves. In this sound waves lesson, students brainstorm different sounds and how sounds move or travel. Students then create a KWL chart and work through six different lab activities to examine how sound waves...
Lesson Plan
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Applied Science - Technology (2A) Post Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore simple machines. In this technology instructional activity, 2nd graders look at pulleys and gears and what the uses are for each. They complete a worksheet comparing the two. 
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Magnets

For Teachers K - 8th
Learners explore how the earth is a magnet and that magnets have two "poles".  In this magnetic lesson plan students complete an activity by designing their own compass. 
Lesson Plan
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Mystery Minerals

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
Lesson Plan
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Proportionality: Modeling the Future

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore and examine how patterns, measurement, ratios and proportions are utilized in the research development and production of airplanes. They meet a pilot from the Federal Aviation Association who describes the growth of air...
Lesson Plan
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Tracking Hurricanes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore how technology and science are used to identify, measure, and track powerful tropical storms to better warn and secure people from their impact. They research hurricanes online by tracking the storms on a hurricane website.
Lesson Plan
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Newton's Third Law

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students describe an everyday situation which demonstrates Newton's Third Law. They state Newton's Third Law;"Every action has an equal and opposite re-action, or every force has an equal and opposite force" in their own words. ...
Lesson Plan
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Wind Power for Educators

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore wind power as a renewable resource.  In this wind power lesson students build models of wind turbines and experiment with different changes to see if it increases efficiency. 
Lesson Plan
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Newton II; Slow Down

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students, in hands-on activities, explore how a dump truck might be made to negatively accelerate or slow down. They participate in activities using friction force to modify the truck-and-ramp system. Student groups test ideas for...
Lesson Plan
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Balloons

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore the different types of balloons.  In this materials lesson students can complete several experiments including building their own hot air balloons, making balloon animals and experimenting with static...
Lesson Plan
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Parachutes

For Teachers K - 8th
Students control the parachutes using arm movements. They follow directions while participating in games. Students explore the effects of wind on several objects. They study the effects of shape, size and weight on a parachute.
Lesson Plan
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Games with a Large Parachute

For Teachers K - 8th
Students control the parachutes using arm movements. They follow directions while participating in games. They explore the effects of wind on several objects and study the effects of shape, size and weight on a parachute.
Lesson Plan
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Magnets

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the magnetic attraction of different materials by observing a demonstration, and review the words "attraction" and "materials." Next they conduct exploration of a number of materials which have different properties...
Lesson Plan
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To See or Not to See: The Colors of Light

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders describe and conduct an experiment that identifies the physical properties of light. They explore sources of visible light and an electromagnetic spectrum. Students explain the conversion of one form of energy to another.
Lesson Plan
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Can You Make A Penny Float?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of density by trying to make a penny and other materials float.
Lesson Plan
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Pilot a Balloon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Balloons will go where you want them to. Young pilots first add paper clips to a balloon to make it neutrally buoyant. They then use cardboard to steer the balloon in different directions, taking air pressure into account.
Lesson Plan
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A Focus on Mechanical Friction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore mechanical friction. They perform experiments to observe the direction of mechanical motion and the difference between rolling and sliding friction. Data results on the experiments are recorded and students answer...
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders choose a simple machine and write about they way they believe it will work. Students experiment, write down procedures used and record observations. They will find a picture of the machine and add it to their report.
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Striking Earthquake!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners simulate strike slip faults using CEENBoTs. In this earth science lesson, students identify the fault lines and tectonic plates on a world map. They label the different parts of a fault line.