California Academy of Science
Human Evolution
As the great and hilarious Tim Minchin once said, "Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organizing our curiosity." Science is more than just a guess; it is based on questions, observations, and evidence. High...
Cornell University
Non-Newtonian Fluids—How Slow Can You Go?
Children enjoy playing with silly putty, but it provides more than just fun. Young scientists make their own silly putty using different recipes. After a bit of fun, they test and graph the viscosity of each.
Curated OER
Water in the Geosphere
Through a PowerPoint presentation and the embedded animation and video, earth science enthusiasts find out about the moisture in the soil beneath our feet. In the animation, follow a water molecule on its path through the water cycle. As...
National Wildlife Federation
Get Your Techno On
Desert regions are hotter for multiple reasons; the lack of vegetation causes the sun's heat to go straight into the surface and the lack of moisture means none of the heat is being transferred into evaporation. This concept, and other...
CK-12 Foundation
Rocks: Anatomy of Granite
Get earth science students excited about the formation of rocks with an engaging interactive resource. Learners analyze the composition of granite, then study the various processes that work together to make igneous, sedimentary, and...
Curated OER
A is for . . .
Students discuss the difference between making inferences and observations. They practice making observations and inferences regarding an apple.
Curated OER
Using Your Senses
In this senses worksheet, students answer two questions about observations using the senses. Students then give reasons why each sense may not give them all the information they need when making observations.
Curated OER
Color Dots 2
Students develop simple observations. They observe bleeding of colored inks with water, to understand mixtures, and to make generalized inferences from their observations.
Curated OER
Charles Darwin
High schoolers research Charles Darwin and the process he used to develop his theory of evolution. They keep a journal about the skill of observation and make a newspaper of their learning.
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in Its Pants
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students observe ants doing some tasks by making them a temporary indoor home.
Curated OER
More Than Meets the Eye
Students use the Archimedes method to demonstrate scientific principles behind observations.
Curated OER
Archaeology
Students compare and contrast the role of scientists with that of archaeologists. They also describe the roles of observations and evidence in science.
Curated OER
Archaeology
Students examine how observations lead to investigations, and how archaeologists conduct their investigation.
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves!
Students observe leaves and their attributes and group them accordingly. In this science observation lesson students gather leaves and use them to become more familiar with seasonal changes and the cycles of our environment.
Curated OER
Hatching Chickens
Students observe chicks hatching from eggs. In this science lesson, students view a video to develop an understanding of the proper care and needs of eggs and live animals. This is a great precursor activity for hatching eggs in class.
Curated OER
Billions of Bubbles
Students conduct an experiment with bubbles. In this observation and comparison instructional activity, students read Bubbles, Bubbles, Everywhere and conduct an experiment where they test different kinds of liquids to see which is...
Curated OER
You're the Scientist
Students explore ways to assess the accuracy and reliability of data reported by Journey North observers.
Curated OER
Look at those Leaves!
Students observe leaves for patterns and similarities. In this science activity, students sort through a pile of leaves to find patterns and take measurements. Students make leaf rubbings to view the details of the leaves.
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Star
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation. In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and...
Curated OER
Water 1: Water and Ice
Students examine the changes as water goes from solid to liquid. In this states of matter lesson, students observe and record the changes to water as it changes from solid to liquid and back to solid.
Curated OER
Mystery Box
Students predict what mystery objects are based on how they feel. In this sense of touch lesson, students reach inside a box and make a guess about the object inside. Once students record their predictions, the objects are revealed....
Curated OER
Function of a Stem
Fourth graders perform an experiment to test the function of a stem. In this science instructional activity, 4th graders write a description of their investigations. Students also explain how the stem interacts with the rest of the...
Curated OER
Caterpillars To Butterflies
Students observe the life cycle of a butterfly. They read butterfly/caterpillar themed books. They sequence the lifecycle from eggs on a leaf to an adult butterfly. They release their butterflies into a natural habitat after singing and...
Curated OER
Wonder Underground
Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation instructional activity, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.