Lesson Plan
The Science Spot

The Wave Exercise

For Teachers 6th - 9th
During a activity on wave motion, physical science participants basically act out the waves as a group. Through their movements, the amplitude, speed, frequency, and wavelength are all identified. Ideas for modeling the reflection and...
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Ocean Layers II

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Now that you know the ocean has layers, let's name them. The seventh installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program covers terminology associated with ocean layers, such as thermocline and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indoor Air: What's the Matter?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils develop a greater awareness of the variety and amount of particulate matter in the air. They try to locate general sources of pollution for a specific area and develop some suggestions for improving air quality.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Making It Look So Brown Outside?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders analyze cars and particulate matter in the atmosphere. They analyze results of particulate pollutants and identify which vehicle gives off more particulates. They identify sources of particulate matter and relate to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A World Of Matter

For Teachers 1st
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time For A Change: Illustrated Plates

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students create illustrated plastic plate designs depicting a physical, chemical, or biological change of some kind after investigating the artwork of porcelain artist Kataro Shirayamadani.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Light Up My Life: Developing a Scientific Theory for What Fuels a Candle's Flame!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine how candles work and how scientific theories are developed and tested. Students propose hypotheses about what is burning in a candle then perform tests in order to develop their scientific theory. After a teacher...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Extreme Environments - Lakes Under Ice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect chemical, physical, and biological data from a local lake throughout the year. In addition, students discuss the design of an experimental structure for water collection at several specific depths as well as assess the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Message in a Bottle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars investigate the motion of water currents by mapping the possible movement of messages cast into the ocean in bottles.They accurately plot the appearance of bottles on a world map and illustrate the flow of an ocean...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Permafrost: Permanently Frozen Ground

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore permafrost.  In this 3 states of matter lesson, students identify characteristics of solids and liquids.  Students observe water and soil melting and freezing at various temperatures.  Students make...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unknown Element Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work with a partner to determine the identity of an unknown element based on given descriptions. Groups use classroom textbooks, encyclopedias, and science internet sites to identify their unknown element then write a report as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heating Crystals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Power using Kirchhoff’s Rules

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders cite real life applications of Kirchhoff's rules. In this physics lesson, 12th graders calculate current, power and voltage using Kirchhoff and Ohm's laws. They explain the different components and uses of transformers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sound: Are All Sounds Loud?

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore physics by utilizing education software. In this sound properties activity, 1st graders discuss the different sounds associated with different materials and perform an object dropping experiment in class....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vectors: Follow That Arrow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Vectors and their connection to motion. A video will be presented to provide information for the class to use methods of solving vectors with and without grids. Real-world physical concepts will be explored in reference to vectors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vectors: How Much Force Can You Apply

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This lesson entails the viewing of two videos to get an overview of force and its application. The lesson covers how vectors use force in real-world situations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Gateway Middle School Handicapped Accessible

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discuss the situation at their middle school about being handicapped accessible. In groups, they identify the various types of handicaps and their accommodations. They create a blueprint of the building and make suggestions in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Country Report

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders describe the relationship between the people of Africa and their environment. They examine the climate, economy and inhabitants of this land. Using maps graphic organizers and writing a report, 6th graders demonstrate how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blast Off

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In this physical science exploration, small groups place a piece of antacid tablet into a film canister and step back to time how long it takes for the top to pop. They repeat the activity, altering either the amount or temperature of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Class of Gold

For Teachers 6th - 9th
How can you see a number in nature? Here, learners discover both Fibonacci numbers and the golden ratio by exploring a number of different resources.  Note: Some of the resources are older and may be missing some of the links, but...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Heat Islands: An Introduction to Energy Transfer and Transformation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Elementary school physical scientists explore kinetic mechanical energy by dropping a golf ball on different surfaces. They discuss how human made materials might react to light differently from nature made materials. This lesson plan...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crash Test Dummies

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to Newton's First Law of Motion. In groups, they describe the differences between balanced and unbalanced forces. They participate in experiments that demonstrate how equal and opposite forces act upon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food & Science - How Healthy is Your Diet?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners experiment with various foods to determine fat and starch content. They rub jam, peanut butter, bananas, and other foods in a small circle on a piece of paper, and observe the results. If there is a high fat content in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects on Flight Characteristics/Performance Due To Variations in Design of Sled Kites.

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students expand upon previous lessons with sled kites by varying the dimensions or materials while building a news sled kite while working in a team. They fly their original kites and the new ones under similar conditions to determine...