Curated OER
Ice Ain't Easy
Young scholars are told that objects in contact with one another reach an equilibrium temperature. A hot object placed in a cool liquid always cool off. It never happens that the object gets hotter and cool liquid gets colder. Students...
Curated OER
Evaporation of Alcohol and Water
Students investigate the process that occurs when liquids evaporaate. They test water and alcohol to determine which substance evaporates more quickly and relate the rate to energy changes.
Curated OER
Ground Level Ozone Testing
Students prepare Shoenbein Paper to test the ground level of ozone. They dip a strip of their test paper in distilled water and hang it at a data collection site. They determine the relative humidity of the data collection site. Using a...
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Learning About Our Five Senses
Students study the sense of touch and various degrees of heat. They design a model that displays how the human hand reacts to heat using a touch sensor.
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HYPOTHESIZE THIS!
Students predict, measure, collect, and analyze data to investigate heat loss in water and in air.
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Active Wear
Middle schoolers interpret and analyze data. For this middle school mathematics lesson, students conduct an experiment in which they investigate which solar collector, black, white, or silver, absorbs the most heat. Middle...
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Fortune Teller Fish
Learners demonstrate how to create and test a hypothesis. They design an experiment and set up a variable, experimental group and control group.
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Using a Thermometer
First graders use their senses to formulate questions and make predictions to determine what is in the "Wonder Bag". They hold pieces of ice and examine while listing descriptors on a chart and then take their own temperature using an...
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Magnetism
Students experiment with the concept of magnetism. Working in small groups, students design an experiment to test the magnet attraction of various substances. After completing their experiments, students research magnetism and it's...
Virginia Department of Education
Greenhouse Gas Modeling Activity
Why are greenhouse gases called greenhouse gases? Young Earth scientists learn about greenhouse gases though experimentation in the second installment of a 3-part series. They use lamps to model radiant energy as well...
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Going, Going, Gone!
Sixth graders use the scientific method to test variables of evaporation. For this evaporation lesson plan, 6th graders test a wet handprint on a paper towel and relate this experiment to weather conditions.
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Modeling Estuaries
Students create a model estuary. In this modeling estuaries lesson plan, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.
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Let the Sun Shine!
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
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Calorie Connection
Students calculate the calories in a Brazil nut and the calories needed for daily intake. In this calories lesson plan, students use calorimetry to measure the change in water temperature heated by the burning of a Brazil nut. They also...
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Look At Those Leaves!
Students observe, measure and sort leaves. In this leaf lesson students divide into groups and observe the different kinds of leaves.
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Biodiesel Combustion and Its Influences in NOx Emissions
Tenth graders evaluate the physical mechanisms that cause a change in NOx emissions. In this combustion lesson plan, 10th graders participate in a research project. Students create a presentation of their findings.
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Space Shuttle Statistics
students are the opportunity to enhance their computation skills using real life statistics associated with the Space Shuttle. Skills emphasized include working with fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, comparing units,...
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Change of State
Students investigate the change of states of Butyl Stearate and the temperatures at which it changes state. In this change of state lesson plan, students place a test tube of Butyl Stearate in a cold water bath and monitor its...
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How Does the Loss of Ozone Affect Our Climate
Students explore the greenhouse effect and what it does to the environment. They discuss if and how human behavior contributes to global warming and test natural materials for carbon content.
Creative Chemistry
Making Soap
In this soap instructional activity, students produce soap in the laboratory and test their product by using it to wash away engine oil. Students answer four questions about tests they perform on their soap.
Creative Chemistry
Thermal Decomposition of Calcium Carbonate
For this thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate learning exercise, high schoolers perform three experiments on calcium carbonate, make observations, and write the equations for each reaction. Students explain in detail what happened...
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Polystyrene Containers
Students conduct experiments to determine the effectiveness of polystyrene containers at preventing heat loss. In this polymers lesson, students design an experiment to determine how effective Styrofoam burger containers are at...
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The Role of Density in Sinking or Floating: Relational Causality
Students watch the teacher do a demonstration of density with diet and regular soda. Note: try this first, as different types of artificial sweetener have different densities. Students discuss density and volume. They discuss "Relational...
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Solar Cooking
Students experiment with a virtual solar cooker to discover the mathematical relationship among reflection, transmission and absorption. Then they actually build and test a solar cooker of their own invention.