Lesson Plan
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Energy Efficient Buildings

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create plans for an energy efficient addition to the school. They work in small groups with each group having responsibility for examining one aspect of the problem. They create working diagrams and a model of their...
Lesson Plan
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Cooler in the Shadows

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow activity, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
Lesson Plan
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Magnetic Testing

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore magnetism. They make observations of everyday items regarding their magnetic attraction and use their experiences to make a prediction.
Lesson Plan
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Planetary Diversity

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the infrared radiation and the part of the spectrum that is not always visible.  In this electromagnetic lesson plan students complete a lab activity on the different wavelengths.
Worksheet
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Physical Science Review 5th Grade

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this review of physical science worksheet, students use recall to answer multiple choice questions about electricity and chemical changes. Students answer 25 questions.
Lesson Plan
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Buoyant Boats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students design and construct a boat out of aluminum foil and a few other simple materials. The boats then be tested by floating them in water, then adding mass until they sink. They explore the various shapes of boat construction.
Lesson Plan
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Chemical Change

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders watch a demonstration in which a balloon is inflated using the gas created by combining vinegar and baking soda. Then, in groups, they combine various assigned substances and watch and record the results.
Lesson Plan
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Hot Air Balloon Design Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discuss what they know and what they want to know about hot air balloon using a KWL chart. They then use a wide array of materials to design a hot air balloon that will lift successfully in cooperative groups referring to...
Lesson Plan
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Melting, Freezing, and More!: Phase Transitions

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to a talk on phase transitions and view three demonstrations. In this phases of matter lesson plan, 3rd graders complete a worksheet as they listen about phase transitions. They move through three demonstrations of...
Lesson Plan
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Water Cycle

For Teachers K - 5th
Students perform experiments with water to observe the principles of evaporation and condensation. They make models of the water cycle and discuss the processes that occurred in their experiments with their jars of water.
Lesson Plan
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Vibrant Volcanoes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Students examine plate tectonics.
Lesson Plan
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The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  For this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
Lesson Plan
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As a Matter of Fact!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore matter. They use a formula to measure the volume of matter.
Lesson Plan
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Using Density to Identify Wood Types

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify different woods based on their density. In this density lesson plan, students use a triple beam balance to find the mass and a metric ruler for the volume. They look through various wood blocks and identify what type of...
Lesson Plan
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Metalloids

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss metalloids, their use as semiconductors, and their impact on the computer industry. They work in groups to create a visual timeline showing the evolution of the computer.
Lesson Plan
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What’s That, I Can’t Hear You?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate forms of energy as well as light and sound. In this science instructional activity, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to evaluate how sound affects astronauts in flight. A video of this...
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Investigating and Using Biomass Gases

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the definitions of biomas gasification and generate their own biomass gas.  In this renewable energy lesson students collect gases and roast a marshmallow. 
Lesson Plan
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Biodiesel Combustion and Its Influences in NOx Emissions

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders evaluate the physical mechanisms that cause a change in NOx emissions. In this combustion lesson, 10th graders participate in a research project. Students create a presentation of their findings. 
Lesson Plan
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Why is My Honey Runny?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the factors that affect viscosity of substances. For this chemistry lesson, students define what viscosity is in their own words. They give real world applications of viscosity.
Unit Plan
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Meteorology Madness

For Teachers 4th
Students probe the dynamic weather changes through several hands-0n activities in this seven lessons unit. The hydrologic cycle, clouds, atmosphere, air movement, fronts, and forecasting form the components presented in this unit.
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What's the Connection Between Convection and Inversion?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders observe a simulation demonstrating the difference between convection and inversion. They explain where and when convection and inversion layers occur and how each impacts air quality, and by connection, human health.
Lesson Plan
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Sound Box

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students make simple observations and identify relevant variables, such as frequency and diameter. They then discuss the relationship between variables. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations and make...
Lesson Plan
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Scouting for Circuits

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate electricity and how it used in a circuit to be useful energy. They also use this investigation in order to understand how energy can change forms and still be considered useful if put into the right form.
Lesson Plan
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Graphical Determination of Density

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students determine the density of metal shot by a graphical method using significant digits in making measurements and calculations. Students graph a seris of laboratory measurements and determine density from a mass verses volume graph.