Curated OER
From Polymers to Bioplastics: Looking Toward Finding Renewable Resources
Students investigate the properties of polymers. In this chemistry activity, students explain the importance of energy sources. They produce a bioplastic from the lab and evaluate its structural integrity.
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Motion in Fluids
Students explore physical science by participating in a science activity. In this liquids lesson, students discuss how fluids can be affected by motion unlike solids. Students define other scientific vocabulary terms and conduct a motion...
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Is There A Fungus Among Us?
Sixth graders classify fungus into two different groups. In this fungus lesson, 6th graders collect as many pieces of fungus as possible. Students then classify these pieces of fungus as saprophytic or parasitic.
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
What is the Water Cycle? Activity A
Hydrologists create a concept map about how water is used and a sentence strip defining water and describing its unique properties. Small groups work together to fill a small milk carton and compute the mass of water inside. The next...
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Fairy Tales
Students read and analyze fairy tales. They discuss the story elements of a fairy tale, compare/contrast various fairy tales, complete an Anticipation Guide, and write an essay comparing the structure of a fairy tale to the structure of...
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Strategies for Economic Development
Students develop some suggested strategies that are used to help reduce poverty. The skill of development is the focus. The incorporation of theories and strategies are learned in a problem solving exercise. The political issues are...
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Condensation
Middle schoolers explain how water changes from vapor to liquid with a change in temperature by engaging in this experiment. They use a worksheet imbedded in this instructional activity to guide their inquiry.
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Galileo and the Inevitability of Ideas
Students research Galileo's work and contributions to science. They make a timeline of Galileo's life, discuss the historical context for his book "Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems" and examine his trial by the Inquisition for...
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Pure Substances and Mixtures
Students compare and contrast the properties of substances and mixtures. In this chemistry instructional activity, students simulate spontaneous mixing by performing a short class activity. They differentiate heterogeneous and...
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Converting Metric Units and Prefixes
Young scholars investigate the length of various objects. In this measurement lesson, students convert one metric unit to another. They explain the importance of a uniform system of measurement.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Students work together to gather water samples. They compare and contrast the water quality from different places in the community. They answer discussion questions to complete the lesson.
National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...
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Congressional Committees and the Legislative Process
Students consider the importance and influence of congressional committees. They research congressional committee assignments, jurisdictions and responsibilities as illustrations of the basic principles of American federalism.
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Investigation of Timbre
Students design an experiment to analyze the timbre of different instruments. In this physics lesson, students analyze the missing quality in sound. They discuss their results in class.
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Chemistry: Balancing Chemical Equations
Eighth graders practice balancing chemical equations. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders explain why it is necessary to balance equations. They complete practice worksheets individually.
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Introduction to Ecology
Eighth graders identify the living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. In this ecology lesson, 8th graders explain the role each organism plays. They participate in class discussion and answer a quiz at the end of the lesson.
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Sound Pictures
Students examine the components of a sonar system. In this physical science lesson students explain how multibeam and sidescan sonar systems are useful to ocean explorers. Students simulate sonar operations in an activity using a...
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Science and the Scientific Process
Students investigate the characteristics of different soil samples. In this physical science lesson plan, students play the role of forensics solving a crime by matching soil from the suspect's shoes. They formulate a conclusion after...
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A Solution for Precipitation
Students predict the product of chemical reaction using the solubility rules. In this chemistry lesson, students balance ionic equation. They perform a lab to check if their predicted products are correct.
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Your Blooming Pond
Students model a pond system that becomes enriched with nutrients (fertilizer). They manipulate variables, make observations over time, and draw conclusions that may lead to further inquiry. They, in groups, simulate a pond environment.
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Introduction to Genealogy
Students investigate their own family's genealogy by conducting oral interviews and doing Internet research. In a series of activities, students acquire inquiry and research skills, develop an appreciation of their heritage, and classify...
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Air in Soil Administration Procedures
Students study soil and its composition. In this soil composition lesson, students study examples of soil during several days of aeration. Students summarize their data, organize it, and must be able to explain their findings.
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Measurement: When Degrees Matter
Eighth graders record the temperature change of the beakers. In this general science lesson, 8th graders create their own data table for recording observations. They discuss experimental results and cite real life applications.
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Don’t be a Stoic about Stoichiometry
Young scholars review balancing chemical equations. In this chemistry lesson, students calculate moles of an unknown substance based on stoichiometric relationships in the balanced equation. They cite applications of stoichiometry...