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Marshmallows
Third graders estimate the volume and mass of one marshmallow using appropriate standard units. They design and carry out an investigation to find the average of volume/mass of one marshmallow.
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Let's Weigh Air
Students participate in an experiment to measure the weight of air by measuring the weight of the mass it displaces. They lift up a desk and a textbook using a toilet plunger, and calculate the weight of the air, or air pressure.
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Weights
Students find an object that they estimate weighs 20g and check estimates on the balance scales. They read the problem and work in pairs focusing their understanding on the size of grams.
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Graph the Density of Fruit
Fifth graders review the definition of mass and volume. They calculate and graph the density of various types of fruit while working in groups on a spreadsheet program. They look at how size of the fruit can be similar but the weight is...
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Float or Sink?
Learners examine why some objects float while others do not. They place various objects in water to observe their floating capability. Students record the object, its weight, and if the object floated. They construct a graph plotting...
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Average Looking
Students use measurements of their classmates to find the average (means and modes) of their facial features. They use their findings to create a three-dimensional "class head." Examples and assessment materials are included.
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Coefficient of Kinetic Friction and Surface Area
Students investigate coefficient of friction with respect to surface area and applied force in contact with the sliding force.
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Waste Audit
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of mental math. They perform calculations as following: recognizing a half, three quarters, and tenths. Students are also challenged to extend skills to making calculation...
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A World Of Matter
First graders complete a variety of experiments with solids, liquids and gases. They read books about matter, identify the characteristics of solids, liquids and gases and the sort and classify a variety of matter. Students make...
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Determination of Phosphates
Young scholars engage in a laboratory instructional activity in order to increase understanding of the impact of phosphates at the chemical and ecological levels. The lab exercise is completed with the goal of getting them to predict the...
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Parking Meters
Third graders are introduced to the problem with a short discussion about parking. They then solve with a partner. As they work ask questions that focus on the strategies they are using to make the calculations.
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Adam's Watch
Third graders use their watches to tell the time while the teacher lists their responses on the board along with the reasons for them (set incorrectly, gain/lose time). They solve the problem in pairs and focus their thinking on the...
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How Much Do You Really Weigh?
Sixth graders check to see how their weights differ if they weighed themselves on different planets. They record their findings on a data sheet.
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Gravity
Sixth graders explore the characteristics of gravity. They discuss gravity on Earth and then use cereal boxes to research and compare the weight of objects on Earth to the weight of those objects on other planets.
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It's About Time
Students create their own timeline. In this social science instructional activity, students write the important events that happened in their lives on their timeline and then compare their timeline to Earth's timeline.
University of Texas
Free-Body Diagram
Preparing for an AP test is about more than bubble sheets and memorization. The two activities in this resource require a direct application of skills learned throughout an AP Physics course.
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Know Your Angles
Explore types of angles and the characteristics of each. After observing a PowerPoint Presentation, learners tour the school facilities and use a digital camera to capture prescribed angles. Using the digital pictures and written...
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Bathtub Physics - Density, Buoyancy and Flotation
Students study Archimedes' Principle, flotation and the reaction of buoyant forces and explain the relationship between density and flotation.
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Strength in Size? Madagascar Cockroach Pulls
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...
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Density and Buoyancy Lesson Plan
Students investigate why some objects float or sink in water. In this physics activity, students calculate the density of clay ball using a mathematical equation. They write a complete lab report about the experiment.
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Changes in the Copper Penny
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.
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Beads, Balls, and Beakers
Students analyze the amount of space required to pack round objects. In this geometry lesson, students practice using space economically by practicing packing spheres into beakers. They then translate this concept to molecules being...
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Barge Building: What Floats Your Boat?
Students construct aluminum foil boats that float while holding the greatest number of pennies. They investigate the concept of water displacement, record their results, and watch a Bill Nye video on buoyancy.
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Proteomics
Students analyze data taken from proteomic experiments. In this biology lesson, students explain the importance of bioinformatics tools in the study of proteins. They evaluate scientific results using math and computer software.