Curated OER
Measuring Natural Objects
Students predict the measurement of objects. In this measurement activity, students estimate the measurements of objects in a lab. Students measure irregular objects and generate scientific observations.
Curated OER
Water and Ice: Part 1
Students observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Students explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
Curated OER
Water Snails
Students study water snails. In this water snails lesson, students research the habitats of water snails. After conducting research, students investigate water snails in their habitats and generate scientific observations.
Curated OER
Properties of Liquids
Pupils describe properties of liquids and use descriptive language as a springboard to develop precise vocabulary for properties of liquids. They also use vocabulary as practiced with liquid-vocabulary card games. Finally, students...
Curated OER
Strong Ice
Through three activities, first-time physical scientists wonder at the properties of water. Freeze some soda cans and a container of water prior to the investigation to show that water expands when frozen. Lab groups experiement with...
Curated OER
Maintaining Body Heat
Young scholars observe and compare heat loss in different objects with surface-to-volume ratios. They transfer this comparison to the physical characteristics of animals in their environment. They focus on how whales maintain their body...
Curated OER
Down To Earth
Fifth graders study the physical properties of minerals in order to identify them. They examine how minerals are used before taking part in a activity in which they market toothpaste made from specific minerals.
Science 4 Inquiry
Bubbles and Colors and Smells...Oh My!
A demonstration of elephant toothpaste hooks pupils' interest as they complete multiple experiments with colors, smells, bubbles, and more. By the end, they understand the differences between physical and chemical changes in the world...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Consumer Products
Students recognize different consumer products, found in and around the home, that have reactive or denaturing properties when used together. They explore chemical and physical properties of each product by identifying chemical formulas...
Curated OER
Slime and Intermolecular Attractions
Students explore the strength of intermolecular attractions. They make slime and compare the difference in the physical properties of sheet and powdered polyvinyl alcohol with polyvinyl acetate.
Cornell University
Exploring Rocks and Minerals
Investigate the properties of rocks and minerals through a rockin' hands-on activity. Learners test rocks for various properties and, using a guide, attempt to identify different samples. They use various properties including hardness,...
Science Friday
Microorganisms on the Move
You can't b. cereus until you see this lesson! Young microbiologists learn to prepare deep well slides, observe two types of microorganisms, and compare and contrast their physical characteristics in this interactive and lively activity.
American Chemical Society
Crushing Test
Solidify understanding of the properties of crystals by crushing them to compare hardness. After some class discussion, a procedure is planned, and then small groups go about making observations as they crush five different crystal...
Curated OER
Observations & Chemical Reactions
Young scholars conduct a series of experiments in which they explore chemical reactions. They detect chemical changes by observing how physical properties change when two different chemicals are combined. They list and describe the...
Curated OER
Quadrate Lab
Young scholars investigate tree stems and conduct an experiment on how non living factors affect living factors. In this tree stems lesson plan, students observe and record physical characteristics, and make predictions on what factors...
Curated OER
States of Matter and Chemical/Physical Changes Stations
Learners break into four groups, starting at different stations. Each station should take about 10 minutes depending on prior knowledge of the topic. They then rotate when everyone is finished to the next station and discuss answers of...
Curated OER
Pursuit of The Properties of Metals and Nonmetals
High schoolers examine how every element is classified based on the physical and chemical properties. In this properties of metals instructional activity students divide into groups, complete a lab and finish a data sheet.
Curated OER
Mystery Powders
Students describe the physical properties of polymers. In this chemistry activity, students experiment on different polymer powders and identify each one of them. They record their observations and share them to class.
Texas State University
Earth: Deposition and Lithification
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
Curated OER
Twirly Whirly Milk
Student observe the effect soap (or detergent) has on the movement of food color in milk. Pupils observe the properties of solids and liquids while making butter. They read a poem, Shaking, and listen for ryhming words. Studdents...
Mr. E. Science
Chemical Reactions
Once I told a chemistry joke, but there was no reaction. Get young chemists involved in changes and reactions with a presentation that begins with physical and chemical changes and chemical reactions. It moves on to chemical...
Concord Consortium
Molecular View of a Liquid
Pour on the knowledge with an engaging states of matter interactive! Young physical scientists view the atoms within a liquid to explain what gives a liquid its unique properties. The resource allows users to highlight and observe two...
NOAA
Please Pass the Salt
Salinity is the focus of two experimenters that work to answer the question, How does salt change the physical properties of water? Super scientists compare the freezing rate of salt and fresh water, combine the two waters to...
Curated OER
Praire Biome Models
Fifth graders, in groups, list the physical characteristics of a biome and think of ways in which animals might have to adapt to live there and make a biome mobile ball that show the different types of habitats that shape the praire biome.