Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Catapult

For Students 4th - 12th
Studying levers couldn't be more exciting! Learners build their own catapults and test the results as they make adjustments to the fulcrum. They compete against other groups to create the most accurate apparatus.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measurement of the Depth of the Ocean

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students comprehend the physical properties of pressure and Boyle's Law by designing a depth gauge. They construct a capillary depth gauge and calculate the calibrated depth marks of the capillary tube. They determine the margin of error...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Striking Earthquake!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electroscope

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine what an electroscope is and who invented it.  For this electrical lesson students build their own Emergency Radiation detector Electroscope.
Lesson Plan
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How Do The Colors of Light Mix?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the mixing of light. They form a hypotheses to reason why color changes occur and they write conclusions and ask new questions arising from the investigation. Students identify the primary and complementary colors of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Spuds in Space

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore the effects of velocity on an object when it collides with another object. They design and outfit a potato astronaut in a spacesuit to withstand the hazards of high velocity impacts from space debris and meteoroids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaving on A Jet Plane

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students create an airplane by listening to directions. They also to measure the pieces for the airplane and compare and contrast their test flights.
Lesson Plan
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Electricity and Magnets

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders find examples of magnets in or around their homes and make a list. They discover that some motors use magnets and make a simple motor using magnets, a battery and copper wire. They add to their magnet list.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bottle Rocket Launcher

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students construct a bottle rocket launcher for use with the Bottle Rocket and Project X-35 activities. They construct a bottle launcher from "off-the-shelf" hardware and wood using simple tools.
Interactive
Curated OER

Galileo Galilei Questions for Study

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Galileo's contributions to science. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Friction and Wear Characteristics of Common Materials

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the factors affecting friction. In this physics lesson, students construct their own rocket car and race them. They graph the average speeds and discuss how lubricants affect friction between rubbing surfaces.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build Your Own Hovercraft

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners construct a hovercraft following specific procedures. In this technology lesson plan, students explain the physics principles behind hovercraft. They compare and contrast this machine with the aircraft.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swings

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate variables which may seem to affect the movement of a pendulum, or "swing."They interpret their observations and apply the scientific principles to develop explanations and solve a new problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Antacid Tablet Race

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Learners compare the reaction rates of effervescent antacid tablets under different conditions. They investigate methods of increasing the power of rocket fuels by manipulating surface area and temperature.
Lesson Plan
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Energy for You

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the energy sources used in student's communities. They explore where the energy comes from, how it is transported, and the uses to which it is put. They review the meanings of vocabulary renewable and newable resources.
Lesson Plan
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3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine the effects of packaging decisions and the engineering advancements in packaging materials and waste management. They observe biodegradation in a model landfill.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Principles of Flight: Gyrocopter and the Scientific Method

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the concept of the scientific method. In this investigative lesson plan, students investigate which direction the blades will spin on a gyrocopter. Student will practice using the scientific method to complete the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnets

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

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders view a video and create a KWL to identify energy sources. In this energy sources lesson, 4th graders explore the meaning of energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, radiant energy, and electrical energy....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricanes 2: Tracking Hurricanes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the role of technology in identifying and tracking hurricanes.