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...
Curated OER
Measuring the Earth
Students use principles of geometry to measure the circumference of the Earth. In this applied geometry lesson, students use mathematics to determine scientific information. They make measurements, calculate the central angle, and...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Micro and Macro World Around Us
Don't let your eyes play tricks on you ... use scale to keep your eyes in check! Young scholars observe images without scale and try to identify the structure. Then, they look at the same image with a scale bar and assess whether their...
Curated OER
Volumetric Analysis / Titration
Titration, and the lab skills that are needed to support it, is detailed here, with the reasoning behind standard solutions, concentration and volumetric analysis covered. Your young lab assistants will learn the skills of determining...
Teach Engineering
Rock and Boat
Present the class with a question on whether the water level of a pond will rise they take a large rock out of a boat and drop it into the pond. Groups come down on all sides of the question and try to justify their answers. The activity...
Curated OER
Can You Carry a Tune in a Bucket?
Students use water filled pipes to play a tune and consider the mathematics behind the sound waves. In this sound wave lesson, students play a tune with water filled pipes. They create a mathematical model to evaluate the wavelengths and...
Curated OER
Simple Harmonic Motion with Dr. DAQ
Students study the work and accomplishment of Galileo. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate the period of a pendulum's using a mathematical equation. They explain the different factors affecting its period.
Curated OER
On Our Own- Surviving on Another Planet
Pupils investigate current models for Lunar and Martian settlements and study the mathematics behind these designs. They design their own Lunar or Martian settlement with an explanation of why their model would work best.
Curated OER
Forestry Suppliers
Students explore the scientific reasons that certain types of foods cause different reactions when they interact with the tongue. They analyze the differences between acids and basics. The experiment is performed at three different sites...
Curated OER
Storm Drain Survey
Students describe what stormwater and storm drains are. They explain reasons for having stormwater management system. They describe nonpoint source pollution and identify causes and impacts of it.
Curated OER
How Many Pancake Tortoises
In this mathematics lesson, 3rd graders estimate how many pancake tortoises they think it will take to reach the height of a giraffe. Students watch a video and take notes before they begin the estimation process
Curated OER
Where in the World?
Students explore how GPS works, the mathematics behind the technology, and how GPS is used. They find positions in one and two dimensions, and participate in a WebQuest that explores how math is used to find a location on Earth using GPS.
Curated OER
Hogs on a Diet
Students discuss the meaning of "hogging" something, and speculate on the origin of this phrase. They attempt to guess the contents of a shoe box (without looking inside). Students view feed grains and discuss animals that eat these...
Curated OER
School Lighting Audit Preparation
Students work together to develop a school lighting audit plan. They practice using new vocabulary related to an energy audit. They also identify the components of a school lighting audit.
Curated OER
School Lighting Audit Action Plan
High schoolers write a school lighting audit action plan from the data they collected in previous lessons. They develop a presentation that shows the results of the data and their recommendations. They present their action plan to their...
Curated OER
Old Solutions - New Solutions
Students examine descriptions of a mining company's land-reclamation project. They share information to analyze the environmental impact of the project. Independently, they answer questions on environmental and economic issues...
Curated OER
Mixing It Up!
Third graders identify the different states of matter. In this science lesson, 3rd graders describe the different components of solutions and mixtures. They create emulsions, foams and suspensions in the lab.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Alphas, Betas and Gammas Oh, My!
Referring to the periodic table of elements, nuclear physics learners determine the resulting elements of alpha and beta decay. Answers are given in atomic notation, showing the atomic symbol, mass, atomic number, and emission particles....
Curated OER
The Lift Equation
Students use the FoilSim educational software program to complete an activity regarding lift. They solve a multivariable equation for each of the variables and apply the results to various problems in different situations.
Curated OER
Heating Crystals
Young scholars examine the effects of heating on various crystals. They formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence. Students work individually during this experiment.
Curated OER
Tadpoles
Students examine tadpoles at various stages of development. They make careful scientific observations and compare the changes that occur at five different phases of a frog's life.
Kenan Fellows
Reading Airline Maintenance Graphs
Airline mechanics must be precise, or the consequences could be deadly. Their target ranges alter with changes in temperature and pressure. When preparing an airplane for flight, you must read a maintenance graph. The second lesson of...
Teach Engineering
Household Energy Audit
Do you have an energy hog in your home? Individuals pick at least one room at home to determine the amount of energy the appliances consume. Using that information, pupils fill out a worksheet to determine the cost of running each...
NASA
Rocket Wind Tunnel
Using a teacher-built wind tunnel constructed from a paper concrete tube form, a fan, and a balance, individuals determine the amount of drag their rocket design will experience in flight. Pupils make modifications to increase the...