Curated OER
Solar S'Mores
Students investigate solar energy. In this solar energy lesson, students compare how heat is absorbed in light-colored objects and dark-colored objects by making S'mores.
Curated OER
Solar S'Mores
Students see that solar energy is the energy given off by the sun. They explain that when light energy is absorbed by objects it is changed to heat energy and that dark-colored objects absorb more light and store more heat from sunlight.
Curated OER
Forms of Energy
Fifth graders brainstorm what forms of energy are used in an energy bike listing them on the board with the description placed beside each form for reference. They work in pairs to diagram the energy transformations that occurred while...
Curated OER
Who Turned on the Lights?
Seventh graders discuss how energy is transformed from one form to another. In this physics lesson, 7th graders design and build their own hydro generator. They identify the factors that affect its energy production.
Curated OER
Heat Absorption and Radiation
Students experiment with the concepts of absorption and reflection of radiant energy.
Curated OER
Solar S’Mores
Students use the energy of the sun to make s'mores. In this solar energy lesson, students gather the listed materials and follow the procedures to find out if they can make s'mores using solar energy.
Curated OER
Harnessing Solar Energy
Students identify the properties of light from the sun. In groups, they participate in experiments with solar collectors, cookers and calculators to determine which one harnesses the most energy. They record their observations and...
Curated OER
Cooking with the Sun!
Students access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker instructional activity, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Solar Matters II
Students research solar energy. In this solar energy activity, students construct a KWL chart and research solar energy through various websites and related readings. Students complete a science journal page as an assessment.
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Characteristics of Energy
Students explore Earth science by completing energy worksheets in class. In this energy forms lesson, students identify and define a list of energy vocabulary terms and a K-W-L chart. Students view a matter video clip in class and...
Curated OER
Do It Yourself: Energy Transfer Lesson Plan
Fifth graders discuss the different types of energy and experiment with tesla coil to show the three types of energy transfer. They write conclusions in their science journal.
Curated OER
Solar S’Mores
Learners cook with the power of the sun. In this solar energy lesson, students explore solar cooking as they apply scientific principles to cook s'mores.
Curated OER
Experiments with Photovoltaic Cells
High schoolers explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. In this series of physics instructional activity, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their...
Teach Engineering
Flame Test: Red, Green, Blue, Violet?
Let the true colors shine through. Pupils conduct a flame test to identify an unknown element. Class members calculate and prepare specific molarity solutions of three chemicals. Using their observations of the colors emitted, they...
Curated OER
Stars and Slopes
More of a math lesson plan than physics or space science, high schoolers take a set of data and plot it on a log-log coordinate system. The write-up for day two was never completed, but day one, "Stars and Slopes," is complex and...
Curated OER
Luminous Efficacy (Efficiency)
Young scholars examine the basics of luminous efficacy and why it is used. In this light source lesson students test energy efficiency and the luminous efficiency for babies.
Curated OER
Bringing Climate Change Into the Classroom
Students investigate the greenhouse effect and examine the potential effects of climate change in the Arctic. They construct a mini-greenhouse and test its effect on temperature, analyze historical climate statistics, and conduct an...
Curated OER
Powering a Green Earth
Students compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy. In this environmental science lesson, students discuss the importance of going green. They identify the different components in a power grid system.
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Students define electromagnetic radiation, list major categories and uses of electromagnetic waves, identify potential health risks with electromagnetic waves, and demonstrate understanding of Plank's constant by solving quantitative...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Light the Bulb!
Third graders investigate electrical circuits and how light bulbs are powered. In this electricity and power lesson plan, 3rd graders study the vocabulary necessary which includes the different types of circuits, electrical currents, and...
Curated OER
Plant Structure, Function and Growth
Young scholars study three structures of a plant as well as their locations and functions. In this botany lesson plan students complete several activities on plant organs and their functions.
Curated OER
Weather and Oceans: Uneven Heating of the Earth
Learners investigate what causes the heat on Earth. In this Earth heating instructional activity, students experiment with different heat sources and determine where the Earth gathers the most heat. Learners explore...
Curated OER
Smog Be Gone
Learners begin the instructional activity by identifying greenhouse gases. In groups, they observe and record the effect of the gases on the atmosphere and the temperature of the Earth. They participate in activities that describe the...
NASA
Nasa: S'cool: Students' Cloud Observations on Line
S'COOL is a NASA citizen science project where school children gather ground truth measurements that assist in verifying and improving the accuracy of the CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) satellite instrument...