Curated OER
Mineral Matters
Students work in a team to use the ProScope Digital USB Microscope and a computer to collect microscopic images from a variety of mineral specimens. They compare specimens and determine how they are alike and different by comparing their...
Curated OER
Solar Electricity ~ The Colour Sensitivity of a Photovoltaic Cell
Teacher's notes, a materials list, detailed procedure, tips, and extension ideas are all included to make teaching this instructional activity on photovoltaic cells a sunny spot in your day! After some brief background reading, physical...
Curated OER
Investigating the Change
Sugar crystal growth is observed as an example of physical change and cabbage juice pH indicator is used to demonstrate chemical change. The crystal growth is tracked over five days. The cabbage juice experiment is involved and can also...
Curated OER
Take the Pain Out of Science Fair Projects
Instead of dreading the season of science fair projects, make it a pleasure for everyone involved.
Polar Trec
Frozen Fish? Unique Adaptations of Antarctic Fish
Some fish contain proteins that act like antifreeze in order for them to live in the frigid waters of Antarctica! High schoolers determine how much antifreeze a fish needs to lower its body temp to -2.5 degrees. Teachers act as a...
Curated OER
Evidence of Photosynthesis
Hands on science is the way to go! Learners conduct a lab experiment to help them explain how plants make food through photosynthesis. They test for the presence of starch in leaves using iodine solution and identify the basic things...
Curated OER
Sea Water Freeze
Students observe how salinity affects the time it takes water to freeze. They participate in an experiment to determine that ice is essentially salt-free whether formed from fresh or salt water
Curated OER
Salty Sea Water
Learners conduct an experiment to find out if there is salt in the ocean. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students pour a cup of salt water onto an aluminum plate and observe the changes over a few days. Learners complete an included...
Curated OER
Magical Leprechaun Pudding
Students make a snack for St. Patrick's Day. In this art and science lesson, students put some vanilla pudding in a ziploc bag, add drops of yellow and blue food coloring, and mix it with the pudding changing the color before the...
Curated OER
Science: Suddenly Snow
Students engage in snow-related activities during the first winter snowfall. After explaining the elements needed for it to snow, they preserve snowflakes on frozen slides and observe them under a microscope. Then, they write diamante...
Curated OER
Crystallization
Eighth graders analyze physical change in mass. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders describe, measure and calculate the amount of physical change occurring in mass before and after the change. Students should be familiar with elements,...
Creative Chemistry
Making Soap
In this soap instructional activity, students produce soap in the laboratory and test their product by using it to wash away engine oil. Students answer four questions about tests they perform on their soap.
Curated OER
Liquid Crystal IR Detector
Middle schoolers experiment with one method of detecting infrared radiation. They simulate the detection of infrared radiation using a liquid crystal sheet.
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: The Snowy Day
Scholars listen to a read-aloud of fiction and nonfiction books, The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, and Snow Is Falling, written by Franklyn Branley and illustrated by Holly Keller, then take part in four creative...
Curated OER
Beanie Baby
Young scholars investigate the growing of beans by using a creative experiment. They plant and grow beans in a bag before transplanting them. The bean bag is checked several times a day and the data is recorded. The data is analyzed and...
Curated OER
Science Jeopardy - The Earth Sciences
The earth sciences are the focus for this Jeopardy-style review game. Categories include geology, space, scientific investigation, meteorology, and oceanography. Diagrams and pictures are involved with most of the questions, making this...
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Rocks and Minerals in Our Lives
Young geologists discover the important role that rocks and minerals play in our everyday lives through this series of hands-on activities. Starting off with a lesson that defines the difference between plants, animals, and...
American Chemical Society
Why Does Water Dissolve Salt?
Individuals explore solubility by modeling how water dissolves salts. They then view a video and compare how well water and alcohol dissolve salts, relating their comparisons to the structure of each molecule.
Montana State University
Sea Floor to Summit
Who knew that mountain formation could be so entertaining? Leanr how mountains form with a resource on Mount Everest. Activities to guide learning include a simulation, project, videos, coloring activities, and worksheets.
Curated OER
A Self Directed Inquiry into the Identification of Unknowns
Learners gain experience in designing an experiment and use logic in selecting specific tests for unknowns. Students recognize the use of spreadsheets in helping one to make clear comparisons.
Curated OER
Lead Poisoning and Ceramic Dishes
High schoolers explore the amount of lead in ceramic plates through an experiment. Students determine if everyday dishware is leaching lead into food. They chart their results and discuss how much lead in ceramic dishware may cause...
Curated OER
BOWEN'S REACTION SERIES
Young scholars research Bowen's Reaction Series and recreate the process in an experiment which details the crystallization sequence of minerals that can be observed in nature.
Curated OER
Properties of Salt
Students discuss certain properties of salt and how it is used every day as well as harmful uses. They experiment with salt to see it conduct electricity, form crystals and water freezing temperature. They complete a worksheet to record...
Curated OER
Measure for Munchies
Fourth graders are introduced to the various types of measurements. Using a recipe, they practice measuring out the correct amount of ingredients while making the food. They also practice using a scale and following the directions on a...