Association of American Geographers
Project GeoSTART
Investigate the fascinating, yet terrifying phenomenon of hurricanes from the safety of your classroom using this earth science unit. Focusing on developing young scientists' spacial thinking skills, these lessons engage learners in...
It's About Time
Slinkies and Waves
Slinkies® are a great tool for visualizing waves. Pupils work in groups to create both transverse and longitudinal waves before using a polarizer to analyze the ways they are able to travel.
PHET
The Earth as a Magnet
Everyone loves playing with magnets and iron filings. Here, young scientists first observe and then participate in an activity demonstrating magnetic fields. After completing their observations, they apply this knowledge to...
Curated OER
Tree Study
Students measure the lengths of provided leafs to the nearest millimeter. Students identify trends in the data as well as sourced of inaccuracy and formulate additional questions that could be investigated to enhance their understanding.
Curated OER
Butterflies
Students will explore the life cycle of the Painted Lady butterfly by raising their own. They will incorporate math, science, and language arts as they graph, pattern, journal, observe, and artistically create.
Curated OER
Ecosystems
Students create plots of land in three different ecosystems and use AppleWorks to collect data for research. This lesson includes a downloadable worksheet and can be accomplished in four days.
Curated OER
Dryline Characteristics
Pupils view animations of several atmospheric variables (e.g., temperature, rainfall) during a cold front passage and locate the dryline, determine its direction of movement, and list at least two weather conditions associated with the...
Curated OER
Astronomy
Students complete a series of activities to better understand space studies. For this space science lesson, the teacher is provided with a number of activities for students to complete such as finding words that begin with the prefix...
Curated OER
Snakes: Illusions in Locomotion
Students learn how snakes move. In this locomotion lesson, students learn the four main methods of locomotion that snakes use. Students visually create one locomotive movement.
Curated OER
Ground Water: Construct a Model Aquifer
Students recognize that one source of drinking water is ground water located in aquifers. They create a model of an aquifer and summarize their experience in a report.
International Technology Education Association
Telescope as Time Machine
This resource provides an explanation of NASA's GALEX mission and how the space-based telescope can view distant galaxies as they were billions of years ago. The resource also discusses the other aspects of galaxies that GALEX is able to...
Curated OER
Planet/Constellation Mobile
Pupils, through small group discussion, identify and share a rationale for shapes and patterns in the construction of a mobile that represents the solar system that makes them think of the creation of our solar system.
Curated OER
Hey, Look Me Over!
Students make observations about mealworms using hand lenses, rulers, and cotton swabs. Students complete their own mealworm observation chart, then they share their observations with the class. This is one station out of five in an...
Curated OER
Sampling Rocks
Here is a geology lesson which invites learners to explore a variety of rocks. They find rocks in the schoolyard and classify them according to size, color, and weight, then read the book Everybody Needs a Rock. Good lesson!
Exploratorium
Take It From the Top
Experiment with the center of gravity by stacking blocks in a way that appears to defy its force. This is a fascinating demonstration that you can use when teaching about gravity, forces, or balance.
It's About Time
Where are the Volcanoes?
Middle school geologists map the volcanoes closest to themselves, learn about map distortion, and infer possible future volcano locations. A focus on latitude, longitude, and volcanoes beneath the ocean helps connect the lesson.
Center for Learning in Action
Density
Explore the concept of density within states of matter—gases, liquids, and solids—through a group experiment in which young scientists test objects' texture, color, weight, size, and ability to sink or float.
Curated OER
Once in a Blue Moon
Third graders identify the phases of the moon. They use technology to access websites on the Internet dealing with the moon.
Curated OER
DNA: The Human Body Recipe
Students describe DNA and the roles in which engineers are involved with the human body. In this DNA lesson students participate in a class demonstration.
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 instructional activity, 3rd graders examine how the sun...
Curated OER
Beautiful Butterfly Tiles
Third graders create a butterfly drawing that includes the elements of art and principles of design. They create artwork that can be made into ceramic tiles to be installed around the classroom doorways in our new addition.
Curated OER
Rocket Science
Students conduct an experiment. In this physical science lesson, students learn about Isaac Newton's theory that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. Students show this theory by looking at how a rocket is propelled...
Curated OER
Cardboard Tree and Endangered Animals Lesson
Students create endangered animal figures and their habitats.
Curated OER
Plant Structure and Growth
This plant structure and function PowerPoint addresses the main organs and the factors that affect its development as well as going into detail about the specializations at a cellular level. The cell functions and system adaptations...