Curated OER
SIZING UP SOL
Ninth graders produce a projected, pinhole image of the sun and from measurement of the image and projection distance, calculate the actual size of the sun. They estimate the sun's apparent brightness from different planet.
Teach Engineering
Density Column Lab - Part 2
Groups suspend objects within layers of liquids to determine the densities of different liquids and compare them to the densities of objects calculated in Part 1. The groups then carefully test their calculations by layering the...
Curated OER
Blowin' in the Wind
Students discover how wind is created on earth: changes in temperatures and air pressure. They list good and bad effects of the wind and make a weather vane and practice using it for 2 weeks.
Curated OER
Creature Feature
Learners make detailed observations and identify an unknown using descriptions. In this observation lesson students are given a creature and must be able to identify it by species and genus.
Curated OER
Estimation and Significant Figures
Young scholars investigate the importance of significant figures through measuring and estimating. In this estimation and significant figures lesson plan, students measure pieces of paper and round their figures to the nearest marking on...
Curated OER
Temperature and Tracking Weather
Fourth graders discuss, describe and track weather by utilizing a variety of measurable quantities as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, cloud conditions and precipitation. They assess, through experiments and practicing, how to...
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quantity
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Curated OER
Measure Your Body
Young scholars measure their bodies. In this math lesson, students record their height and weight. Young scholars measure themselves in six months and observe any changes.
Curated OER
Bedroom Floor Plan
Students identify and compare the characteristics of floor plans and zoning to family activities and needs. They draw an accurate floor plan--either existing or a work in progress to scale. Then, students roughly sketch their bedroom...
Curated OER
Measurement and Paper Airplanes
Sixth graders investigate physics by creating paper airplanes. In this flight experiment lesson, 6th graders utilize stationary tools to create elaborate paper airplanes which they fly on their school grounds. Students complete...
Virginia Department of Education
Charles’ Law
Searching for a relatively interesting way to demonstrate Charles' Law? Here is a lesson in which pupils heat air inside a flask and then cool the flask to quickly cool the air. They make observations about what occurs during the...
Creative Chemistry
Comparing the Degree of Unsaturation of Margarine with that of Butter
Is butter better? In terms of saturation, young chemists find out! Using titration methods, they will compare the degree of saturation of butter with that of margarine. Knowing the unsaturation, they can make conclusions about the...
Curated OER
Oranges and Stopwatches
Students measure various attributes of an orange. They discuss the attributes of an orange that can be measured, develop a list of attributes and describe how they can measure it, and rotate through four stations measuring the volume,...
Curated OER
Electric Circuits
Students determine the power dissipated in the combination of two resistors connected in series to a 6 volt battery. This task assesses students' abilities to develop procedures for an investigation, develop a plan for recording and...
Exploratorium
Salty Pits
Yuck, does my deodorant kill that? To test whether deodorant is anti-bacterial, class members use petri dishes to grow control bacteria and bacteria from sweat, and then compare them to see if deodorant effects the...
Cornell University
Resolution—Not Just for the New Year
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
Curated OER
Frost Depth Study
Students complete activities to study the frost and frost depth. For this frost study lesson, students use frost tubes to study and measure the frost at their school. Students measure the frost in the tube and enter their data online to...
Curated OER
Measurement of Biotic and Abiotic Objects
Students identify biotic and abiotic factors. In this environmental study lesson, students conduct a series of experiments to collect and record data and draw conclusions based on the results.
Curated OER
Estimating Distances
Students investigate distance measurement. For this middle school mathematics lesson, students find the average length of their pace and use their pace to measure various unknown distances in feet and miles. Students relate...
Curated OER
MAP MAGNETIC FIELD OF A ROOM
Students map the magnetic field of a room (classroom or room at home -- recommend kitchen) at two or more heights. They create a coordinate grid within the room and make a relatively accurate map of the room to super impose the...
Curated OER
Pirate Plays
Learners performing a scene about pirates and spend time making a measuring meters incorporating the main character, Captain Blood to add interest. They use meter sticks measuring items from the play and record their answers in meters.
Curated OER
Make a Zoo
For this unit students work in groups to find out about an endangered animal species. They design a zoo enclosure for the animal and build a scale model. Together the class constructs a zoo! In the process of planning and building the...
Cornell University
Chemical Reactions
Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for...