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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Bubbles and Colors and Smells...Oh My!

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
A demonstration of elephant toothpaste hooks pupils' interest as they complete multiple experiments with colors, smells, bubbles, and more. By the end, they understand the differences between physical and chemical changes in the world...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acids and Bases: Together again!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify principles behind acid-base reactions. They predict factors that may affect an acid-base reaction. Students identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Beam Focusing Using Lenses

For Students 11th - 12th
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Investigating the Atmosphere - Air Takes Up Space

For Students 1st - 5th
How do you know there is air? Can you see it, smell it, feel it? To begin the investigation, learners watch a video and discuss what they know about air and the atmosphere. Then, they participate in five different hands-on, inquiry-based...
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Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Hiding Behind the Mask

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Microchips are a man-made wonder. Investigate the manufacturing wonder with a hands-on inquiry-based lesson. Scholars simulate the process of pattern transfer using photoresist. Their conclusion identifies how their process replicates...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Resolution—Not Just for the New Year

For Students 11th - 12th
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson plan. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Trick or Science: Catching the Light

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Your class might be surprised to learn that mirrors have been around since the first century AD! Young scientists explore reflection and refraction of light through a series of challenges. They use this knowledge to design their own...
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Lesson Plan
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Nevada Outdoor School

Let It Snow! Let It Melt!

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
Winter weather offers a great opportunity to teach young scientists about the states of matter. This activity-based lesson includes a range of learning experiences, from experimenting with the rate at which ice melts to singing a song...
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Activity
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American Chemical Society

Diapers: The Inside Story

For Students K - 5th
There shouldn't be any accidents with this activity! An inquiry-based lesson has learners explore the absorption properties of the gel compound in diapers. After testing its properties, they learn the science of the molecules that make...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Measuring the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Scientists need to figure out how to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, but the magnetic field of the spacecraft is interfering with their readings. Scholars attempt to solve the problem that has perplexed NASA scientists for years.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
How did our universe really begin? Explore the Science Big Bang Theory and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) with this multiple activity-based lesson that demonstrates that the increase of density due to the decrease of temperatures,...
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Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Developing Tests to Distinguish Between Similar-Looking Liquids

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Each group talks about how to test unknown liquids based on their findings in the previous experiment. For this second of four activities, they test unknowns on wax paper, newspaper, and construction paper. As a stand-alone, this lesson...
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Lesson Plan
National Science Teachers Association

Hop into Action

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Young scientists find out what makes amphibians such unique and interesting animals in this simple life science lesson. After looking at pictures and discussing the characteristics of amphibians, learners complete a series of three Venn...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics Lab Rockets

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students construct and test balloon rockets and a model rocket. In this rocket science lesson, students use an inquiry-based method to master balloon rockets and have a shoot-off with the goal of attaining the highest altitude. Next,...
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Lesson Plan
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Baylor College

Serving Sizes

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Are serving sizes for different foods always appropriate for what you need? In this hands-on activity, learners work in groups to estimate what one serving size of various foods are, and then evaluate their hypotheses by measuring real...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honesty and Ethics in the Science Lab

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete a variety of lab and discussion activities as they are introduced to ethics and honest lab practices. They perform various biology, chemistry, or physics labs which test their ethical lab practices.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify the physical and chemical properties and explore the differences.  In physical and chemical property instructional activity students test polymers for the differences between the physical and chemical properties, record...
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Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Ohm's Law

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wanted to build a conductor? Here is a lesson that takes pupils through building a conductor based on Drude's model in order to better understand electricity.
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Lesson Plan
Mascil Project

Epidemics: Modelling with Mathematics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The Black Death epidemic is responsible for more than one million deaths in the United Kingdom. An inquiry-based activity has young scholars explore the rate of disease spread. They then analyze graphs showing data from epidemics such as...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designer Colors, an Inquiry Approach to Flame Testing

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the spectroscopic colors unique to elements, and to use this information to create a specific color. They follow a detailed schematic to produce a spectroscpoe to be used in the testing.
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Lesson Plan
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Science 4 Inquiry

Expanding the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
When Einstein first heard the theory of the expanding universe, he dismissed it as bad physics. Now scholars learn about the theory and how scientists prove it has merit. Through a hands-on simulation and videos, class members measure...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Circuit: Electric Currents and Circuits

For Teachers 4th
Through inquiry and exploration, 4th graders will learn and understand the functions of open and closed circuits. They will break into 2 groups, define vocabulary, hypothesize how to light a bulb, then test their hypothesis 4 different...
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Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

The Jovian Basketball Hoop

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Can you listen to Jupiter on a simple radio? Turns out the answer is yes! The resource instructs scholars to build a simple radio to pick up the radio waves created when the charged particles from the sun hit Jupiter's magnetic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines IV - Levers

For Teachers 4th
The lever is an everyday simple machine. Youngsters learn the principles of levers and explore their many uses. Groups of pupils perform a simple lab where they lift objects with a fulcrum while placing the load in a variety of...