Serendip
Structure and Function of Cells, Organs and Organ Systems
Cells of different organs have unique cell functions. Learn how cell functions vary depending on their roles in the body using an inquiry-based activity. Scholars analyze the cell structure to make comparisons to its functions, allowing...
University of Richmond
Foreign-Born Population 1850-2010
If America is a nation of immigrants, where are they from and why did they come? Demographic data and interactive maps help pupils consider answers to these questions by examining the statistics of foreign-born Americans. Features allow...
NASA
Measuring Solar Energy During an Eclipse
Don't leave your classes in the dark! An inquiry-based lesson has young researchers analyze the light intensity before, during, and after a solar eclipse. They use their data to make inferences about the solar energy available during...
Curated OER
The Amazing Apple
Learners analyze an apple. In this lesson about developing inquiry skills, students do an experiment with an apple. Learners make several observations about the apple. Students answer questions to help them improve and practice their...
Curated OER
Life on the Hardbottom
Students find similarities and differences between a biotrope habitat and an ecosystem. In this hardbottom biotrope lesson, students research and respond to inquiry questions about a biotrope. Students identify three...
Historical Thinking Matters
Spanish-American War: 3 Day Lesson
Why did the United States choose to invade Cuba in 1898? As part of a 3-day lesson, your young historians will first develop working hypotheses to answer this question, then work with a variety of historical primary source documents that...
New York City Department of Education
Project Based Learning
After reviewing the information included in this resource, you will be an expert in both the definition of project-based learning and how to implement it with your class. Discover and explore thorough explanations, detailed...
Curated OER
Enzyme Activity: An Inquiry Based Approach
Students explore biochemical reactions mediated by enzymes in an inquiry approach. They are given two questions about the types of living materials that contain the enzymes that break down hydrogen peroxide, and under what conditions the...
Curated OER
Enzyme Activity: An Inquiry Based Approach
Using an inquiry approach to studying biochemical reactions, cooperative teams of learners investigate hypotheses about living materials that contain enzymes which break down in hydrogen peroxide. They perform experiments, practice...
Curated OER
Adding Creativity to Science Inquiry
Students investigate friction by manipulating some of the variables affecting it. In this inquiry lesson, students design their own experiment. They create a video about it and share it to class.
Curated OER
Learning Steps in an Inquiry Process
Third graders are introduced to the steps in the inquiry process. Using this method, they locate and identify at least seven Native American tribes in Montana. In groups, they use the internet to research the culture of the tribes and...
Curated OER
Steps To An Inquiry Process
Fourth graders investigate the research process. The finding of information about the indian tribes of Montana provides the context for student practice. They identify the problem and generate questions to find answers. The main...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Scientific Method Mania
Horrible science puns only happen periodically, but the scientific method is forever. Young scientists observe two presentations on the scientific method, complete independent practice worksheets, and integrate their knowledge through a...
Space Awareness
History of the Universe
Your pupils may believe that you and their parents are the oldest things in the universe, but surprise! There are elements of the universe that are even older. Elementary scientists create a class timeline to demonstrate the...
US National Archives
Eastern Europe 1939-45 — Stalingrad
Acts of civilian courage in Great Britain—and in one case, the island of Malta—often receive the George Cross, instituted by King George VI at the beginning of World War II. After the valiant defense of Stalingrad by its inhabitants,...
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen and Respiration
Students are presented with the question, "Do plants that grow underwater use oxygen?" They create an experiment to test the presence of dissolved oxygen in the water using provided materials. Student experiments include a control jar as...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Invasion
Without the benefit of history, Western Europe in the 1940's had no idea what was about to befall them. Class members use primary sources, including political cartoons, videos, and internal documents, to analyze how much of a threat...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of the Mealworm
Fourth graders provide a habitat for live mealworms and observe their life cycle. In this animal life cycle and scientific inquiry lesson, 4th graders create a habitat for a live mealworm and observe and record related data as it grows....
Curated OER
Does Soap Float?
Students form hypotheses and carry out an investigation in order to answer a central question: Does soap float? The focus of this lesson is on scientific inquiry, but it incorporates scientific topics such as sinking and floating.
Curated OER
Have a Ball with Bernoulli
Third graders investigate Bernoulli's Principle. In this Bernoulli's Principle lesson, 3rd graders examine blowing air through a tube and the movement of the ball. Students make inquiries into what effect the air has on the ball and...
Curated OER
Paper Airplanes and Scientific Methods
For this scientific method and paper airplanes worksheet, students go through the steps of the scientific method to determine which paper airplane design is best. They complete 8 steps of the scientific method including stating the...
Curated OER
How to Build an Electric Motor
Sixth graders build a working motor. In this lesson on motors, 6th graders use an inquiry method of learning to discover how to create a working electric motor with the supplies given to them. The teacher will guide them as needed....
Curated OER
Zoom Out
Students explore visual perception and how objects change as distance changes. In this distance and vision instructional activity, students practice their scientific inquiry skills. Students practice drawing objects from different points...
Curated OER
My Car Has Potential
Seventh graders investigate how changes in the mass or height of a ramp can affect the change in potential energy. They discuss the concepts of work and energy, then using the four question strategy, they design an experiment that...