Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geoboard Area

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the basic geometric shapes and geometric shape vocabulary through the use of geoboards and virtual geoboards. They create a variety of shapes with a partner, build ten different rectangles on their geoboards, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Periodic Table of Elements

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain how the elements are arranged in the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson plan, students determine the subatomic particles for certain elements. They research the physical and chemical properties of an element they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocket Transportation

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students use problem solving skills to lift a load using a balloon rocket. They construct a rocket out of a balloon and use it to carry a paper clip payload.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in the Copper Penny

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the difference between a physical change in a substance and a chemical change. students study the volume, density, altering shape and chemistry of a copper penny.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kinetic Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to solve kinetic energy problems. They are introduced to kinetic energy. Students are shown examples of how to solve kinetic energy problems using the formula: Velocity= Distance/Time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's In The Chocolate Chips

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate which brand of chocolate chip cookies contains the most chocolate. They analyze and compare data using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. They communicate the results with Microsoft PowerPoint.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Graphing Your Motion"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the concepts of motion, velocity, and acceleration through graphing their own movement using LoggerPro. They explain the difference between speed and velocity using the weather vane example. They discover the difference...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Long? How Wide?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders distinguish between and use nonstandard and standard units of measurement, use appropriate tools and techniques to measure length and width, and record and interpret data using graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Measurement Man

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the measurements of capacity by constructing a creative project in the shape of a man. The man has body parts that represent different units of measurement and can be used to make conversions. This is highly concrete and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gel Electrophoresis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a variety of experiments to explore gel electrophoresis. In this biology lesson, explain how this process separate DNA and RNA. They discuss the practical applications of this method.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Friction and Wear Characteristics of Common Materials

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the factors affecting friction. In this physics lesson, students construct their own rocket car and race them. They graph the average speeds and discuss how lubricants affect friction between rubbing surfaces.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space.  In this matter lesson, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Students make observations and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Hurricane and Tornadoes Vocabulary

For Students 4th - 5th
Quiz your young meteorologists using this simple matching worksheet. Learners inventory 16 weather-related terms, matching them to the appropriate definition on the right. There are an equal number of definitions as there are terms. A...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Measuring Earthquakes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
After a brief discussion on earthquakes, make a makeshift seismograph to record the shaking of the table that it sits upon. While the background information will be useful to you as a teacher, the seismograph does not seem like it would...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parachutes And Parafoils

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars study deceleration devices like parachutes and parafoils.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shadows

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students measure shadows at different times of the day to determine when a shadow casts its longest and shortest shadows.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shadows

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students conduct an experiment. In this shadows lesson, students record the height of a meter stick. Students then cast shadows and record their length. Students compare the length of the shadow with the actual height of the meter stick.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gravity Of It All-Newton's Laws

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students experiment with the concept of Newton's second law of motion. After building a ramp, they determine whether a large marble or a small marble will move farther, based on Newton's law. Students record their data on the provided....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  For this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Measure

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders practice measuring different objects. They discover the concepts of ratio and proportion and practice converting numbers into the correct unit. They read stories as well to help them with the concepts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strength in Size? Madagascar Cockroach Pulls

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct an experiment involving size and relative ability in smaller species using Madagascar cockroaches. They make predictions about how many pennies the roaches can pull, compare the results to human strength, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Work in Linear Mechanical Systems

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are able to identify the units associated with linear work. They are able to calculate the work done on an object. Students discover how the force exerted on an object and the distance the object moves determines the work done...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marshland Wonders

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Fitness and Obesety

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use Internet web sites to discover how physically fit they truly are. Each group must use three web sites to answer questions and make an assessment of the person they have. Each group report back to the class what they...