Curated OER
Google Earth Geology Field Trip
Students take a virtual field trip around California using Google Earth. In this geology field trip lesson, students explore landforms and a variety of rocks located in California. Students compare environments where rocks are...
Penn Museum
Maya Ball
Sure the ancient Mayan civilization had an advanced calendar and mathematical system, but did you know that they also played a great team sport like basketball? Invite your learners to discover the great ballcourt at Chichen Itza and...
Curated OER
WATTS UP?
Second graders research the Internet as they classify different forms of energy, investigate electrical energy and how to conserve energy.
Curated OER
Capturing the Sun's Warmth
Students explore the variety of ways to use solar energy. They investigate the thermal energy storage capacities of different test materials to determine which to use in passive solar building design. They explain how passive solar...
Curated OER
Wasting Energy at Home
Students act as energy conservation engineers and identify the ways energy is conserved or wasted. They also discover many ways to personally conserve energy everyday. Students discover how engineers perform home energy audits to...
Curated OER
Energy Detectives at Work
Learners are "Energy Detectives" working for an engineering firm that does energy evaluations at schools. In teams, they locate energy sources around the school, and record their findings on an Energy Detective Worksheet.
Curated OER
Go With the Energy Flow
Learners explore energy and nutrient flow. In this science lesson plan, students diagram the flow of energy through food chains and food webs. Learners discuss the importance of energy flow in Earth's ecosystems.
Curated OER
Mice Rule!
Young scholars explain what biodiversity is and how adaptive features are maintained in a population. In this biodiversity lesson students complete a simple activity involving mouse populations.
Curated OER
Visualizing the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Students discover the differences between global warming and the greenhouse effect through hands-on classroom experiences. They use a 2-D globe and picture cards to identify the causes of both. Students visualize the human influence on...
Curated OER
Investigation 7 - Rubbing Objects Together
Third graders investigate rubbing two objects together to produce heat.
Curated OER
Metamorphic Sandwiches - - "Bread Rock"
Students graphically show how metamorphic rock is formed by pressure and heat using bread.
Curated OER
The Math of Light
Investigate light intensity, illuminance, and power consumption of different light source.Compare the efficiency of light bulbs then create a persuasive advertisement about it.
Polar Trec
South Pole Ice Cream!
How can you turn an ice cream activity into a scientific investigation? It's easy if you know ionic compounds, heat transfer, and the exothermic and endothermic process. Learners will explore the science behind freezing, insulation, and...
Exploratorium
The Dipping Bird
If you have or want to order the dipping bird demonstration, it is useful for showing how evaporation and changes in the pressure of a closed system cause cyclical motion. After teaching about pressure, consider setting this little guy...
Curated OER
It Can Be a Shocker!
It's important for young learners to understand how dangerous electricity can be, and how to avoid getting shocked. This learning exercise enlightens them on how to avoid getting shocked, then has them answer Yes or No to eight questions...
California Academy of Science
Climate Change Impacts
Getting kids thinking about climate change now, will hopefully push them into action when they become adults. Young environmentalists discuss the evidence and causes of climate change seen in the state of California. They brainstorm ways...
Curated OER
Invisible Rays
Students explore physical science by completing a lab assignment. For this sunlight lesson, students define a list of scientific vocabulary terms and complete fill in the blank questions. Students conduct a photographic experiment in...
Curated OER
Analysis of Atmospheric Conditions for a High Mountain Retreat
Students examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. They practice science and math in real world applications. They write reports detailing their scientific...
Curated OER
The Elements
Fifth graders explore the differences between elements. In this elements and atoms lesson students complete an activity that shows how chemicals react to a flame test.
Curated OER
Making a Thermometer
Students observe a demonstration of how a thermometer functions. They apply the scientific method while determining which of three cups hold the coldest water. They write a hypothesis before conducting the experiment and gather data.
Curated OER
Heat from Light
Second graders explore solar energy. In this science lesson plan, 2nd graders use hand lenses to see that light energy can be converted to heat energy.
Curated OER
Spark Activity: Snakes and Lizards
Learners are divided into 2 groups: "snakes" and "lizards." Lizards move about the room in a way designated by the teacher, while snakes remain on their "rock" holding a given object and perform a balancing movement. Lizards guess what...
Curated OER
The Effects of Temperature on Solids
Students explore the effects that extreme temperatures have on the material properties of solids. They investigate the properties of a material whose state depends on extreme temperatures and witness how it interacts with room...
Curated OER
Rain Making - Understanding the Formation of Rain
Students read and conduct and experiment to learn about rain formation. In this water forms lesson, students read about the formation of rain and its purposes. Students then complete a rain experiment activity.