Baylor College
Using Heat from the Sun
Let's heat things up! This simple experiment demonstrates for students the important role the sun plays in providing the earth with energy. Place one cup of water in direct sunlight and one in shade, then take measurements in order to...
Curated OER
Engaging Young Scientists with Inquiry: Part One
Building inquiry into your science lessons will make science concepts more concrete for your class.
Science Matters
Thermal Energy Flow in Materials
The sun sends the earth 35,000 times the amount of energy required by all of us on the entire planet, every day. The fourth instructional activity in the 10-part series looks at how light energy from the sun transfers into thermal...
American Chemical Society
Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup: For Dry Environments
If the area you live in is arid, or the preceding experiment in this unit didn't yield obvious results, use this one in place of it to help reveal where condensation comes from. The mini unit that this is part of a comprehensive...
American Chemical Society
Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup
As a stand-alone or as part of the intended unit, this is a valid investigation of what causes condensation to occur. By limiting the amount of air around a cold cup of water and comparing it to one out in the open, they find that...
Denver Art Museum
So Much to See, So Little Time
How do humans and animals impact the environment? What is land division? Youngsters tape off a 12x12 inch square in an outdoor natural space. They sketch everything they see, then compare their drawings as a class. They will then be...
PBS
NOVA Sun Lab Lesson Plan
Looking for a sun-sational multi-lesson plan full of videos, simulations, and discussion? Introduce your young scientists to all things solar with a four-part hands-on adventure. Pupils learn the basics of solar anatomy, space weather,...
Curated OER
Science Observations
First graders investigate change by analyzing a photograph. In this scientific observation lesson, 1st graders view a photograph of a baby and attempt to memorize the details. Student view the photo a few minutes later, trying to...
Curated OER
Growth and Changes in Plants
Students investigate the growth and changes in plants. They view a video and discuss the changes in plants. They work in small groups to demonstrate vocabulary words to the class. They visit a green house and take pictures of plants to...
Curated OER
Living Things Change and Grow
Young scholars observe how nail polish on a fingernail and petals on a flower grow over time. In this change and grow lesson plan, students observe, discuss, and draw how living things change and grow.
American Chemical Society
Colors Collide or Combine?
As part of a unit investigating the dissolving of M&Ms® candy coating, this lesson examines whether or not the different colors combine. There are no new concepts revealed in this particular lesson, but learners will see that the...
Curated OER
Making Changes
Students observe and record the changes they see when adding heat and cold to objects. In this changes lesson plan, students experiment with different objects and see if heat and cold change the makeup of the object. They then record...
Curated OER
Observing Sea Ice
Students study and observe types of sea ice found in Alaska. In this sea ice lesson, students use the student network for observing weather to study the different types of sea ice. Students study sea ice depicted in Alaskan art.
Curated OER
Observing Snail Behavior
In this observing snail behavior worksheet, students find a few snails, place them in an aquarium, observe for several days, then answer 5 questions about their behavior.
Curated OER
Changing Circuits
Students observe an on-line activity to review the basics of electrical circuitry, then research answers to related questions on-line.In this lesson on changing components in a series circuit, students discover how different components...
Curated OER
Creeping and Crawling Observing Mealworms and Earthworms
Fifth graders observe mealworms and earthworms. In this mealworm and earthworm lesson, 5th graders complete an experiment in which they observe the life cycle and living conditions of mealworms and earthworms. They experiment with...
Curated OER
Alka-Seltzer Cannons
Fourth graders observe what is happening when an Alka-Seltzer tablet is placed in a clear cup of water. They observe the release of carbon dioxide gas. Pupils answer the question of how much as is released by observing the experiment...
Curated OER
Falling Into Leaves
Students investigate why leaves change color. In this chlorophyll lesson, students examine how chlorophyll effects the color changes in leaves. Students take pictures of changing leaves, and create a class quilt showing the changes of...
Curated OER
Burning vs. Heating
Students investigate burning vs. heating and observe the differences. In this burning vs. heating lesson plan, students observe a wooden splint burning and a piece of glass tubing being heated. They answer questions to compare the two...
Curated OER
More Than Meets the Eye
Students use the Archimedes method to demonstrate scientific principles behind observations.
Curated OER
Rock Candy
Fourth graders observe and demonstrate the physical change of dissolving sugar in water and evaporating the water to examine the physical change that has occurred. They discuss physical changes and solutions, and make rock candy,...
Curated OER
Our Desert Backyard
Students make observations of their own backyard. In this environment lesson, students keep records of the plants and animals they see in their home or school yard. Students make notes of how the weather and environment changes over...
Curated OER
Global Warming
First graders discover the effects of global warming on polar bears. In this life science lesson, 1st graders model the polar bear's habitat and observe what happens as they raise the temperature. They record their observation in the...
Curated OER
Chemical Fun
Fifth graders observe and conduct a variety of experiments to differentiate between physical and chemical changes. They mix cabbage juice with different liquids and record their observations on a chart. Students write down their...