Curated OER
Lunar Cycle
Students recognize that the eight phases of the moon repeat. In this lunar cycle lesson plan, students experiment to understand the phases of the moon. Students make observations and complete a "the Moon I See" worksheet. Students...
Nuffield Foundation
Going up in Smoke
Don't let all your hard work go up in smoke. Pupils conduct an experiment to see the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. They observe how smoke changes the color of white wool and an indicator solution.
Illustrative Mathematics
Temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius
Learners investigate the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales. Given two data points, they construct a linear function to describe the relationship, find the inverse of the function, and make observations...
Polar Trec
Plankton Parents
Plankton are so abundant in the ocean they outweigh all of the animals in the sea. In this three day activity, groups discuss and become familiar with plankton, capture females, and look for egg production on day three.
Curated OER
REDOX Lab
Students produce copper metal by electrolysis. In this REDOX lesson plan, students use a copper (II) chloride solution and a 9 volt battery to produce copper metal through an electrolysis reaction. Students make observations and take...
Curated OER
Star Light, Star Bright: Exploring How Stars are Classified
In this star classification activity, middle schoolers are given laminated star charts to make observations about stars. They work in groups to classify groups of stars based on different characteristics. For each group of stars they...
Curated OER
Mystery Creek
Fourth graders are introduced to the Riparian Ecosystem. They define the following terms: riparian and riparian ecosystem. Students take a trip to the creek, where they make observations about the environment around them. They are...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students make observations of ice as it melts. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts in a cup. They discuss their observations and place the cup of water into a freezer to change it back into ice.
Curated OER
Density Phenomena-Using the Concept of Density
Learners investigate the concept of density by observing demonstrations. In this density lesson plan, students make observations while the teacher demonstrates the Cartesian diver, a density column, a candle trough, a wave bottle, an...
Curated OER
Seed Germination
Learners explore the process of seed germination. For this botany lesson, students complete an experiment with seeds. Learners observe soaked and dry seeds. Students allow the seeds to germinate and make observations during this time....
Creative Chemistry
Thermal Decomposition of Calcium Carbonate
For this thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate learning exercise, students perform three experiments on calcium carbonate, make observations, and write the equations for each reaction. Students explain in detail what happened at...
Curated OER
Discovering Seeds
Young scholars compare seeds with seedlings. In this life science lesson, students make observations of seedlings and the seeds they grew from, paying special attention to the roots. Lesson includes extension activities.
Curated OER
Properties of Soaps
Students investigate 3 types of soap. In this properties of soaps lesson plan, students test soap with pepper and observe the reaction between the two. They make observations of the 3 types of soaps and make a chart to compare each. They...
Curated OER
Chemical and Physical Changes Lab
In this chemical and physical change instructional activity, learners conduct a variety of experiments with unknown solutions and make observations. Students determine if the properties of the solutions have changed and if there is...
Curated OER
Smelly Balloons
High schoolers investigate the concept of diffusion through a membrane. They do this through the conduction of a simple experiment. Students make observations while determining if the smell of different chemicals seeps through the...
Curated OER
One Part A Mini Lab: Water Contamination
Students investigate the effects of ground water contamination. In this ground water contamination lesson plan, students create a mini well and simulate ground water flow through the well with a contaminate (food coloring). They make...
Curated OER
A MINI LANDFILL
Learners observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes. They create their own landfill in a jar by adding four or five pieces of garbage and then covering it with dirt and water. They make observations on what they...
Curated OER
QuickPlan: Mystery Boxes
Primaries explore the concepts of observation and inference. Given a set of six sealed boxes, children lift, tip, or gently shake in order to make observations about what is inside. The lesson plan gives preparation instructions in...
Curated OER
What is Magnetism?
Students investigate magnetism. In this physics instructional activity, students create a KWL chart about magnetism and research various suggested websites to find out more about magnetism. Students log on to the "BrainPOP" website and...
Curated OER
Coffee Ground Dinosaur Fossil Prints
Students create fossils to understand how scientists learn about dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students mix ingredients to make dough and put in objects that can make impressions. Students let fossil dry overnight....
Curated OER
Labs from YSI 95: Telescopes
Students build a telescope and give quantification of its magnification and field of view while making observations regarding images. In this telescope lesson plan, students use a simple lens to project a scene and examine various...
Curated OER
Rusting, Burning and Oxygen
For this rusting, burning and oxygen worksheet, students read about chemical reactions and are given diagrams of a rusting bicycle, a burning candle, and a variety of chemical changes. Students make observations and explain the chemical...
Curated OER
Gravity Gets You Down
Students investigate the force of gravity and how it effects different objects that are put into acceleration when applied the experiment of free falling. They drop different objects that have a variety of masses and some that cause air...
Curated OER
Activity 3: Using Photo Images to Explore Life on the Ocean Floor
Students work in groups with copies of the three photo images provided with the lesson. They make observations about mussels and clams. Students discuss reasons scientists use a representative sample of a population rather than the...