Curated OER
Density
Learners find the mass, volume, and density of various objects. In this density measurement lesson, students observe how same-sized objects can have different masses, then use water displacement to find the density of each object and...
Curated OER
Oxidation and Salt
Students study the reaction on iron in water, air, and sodium chloride. They create a situation that shows this process and gives them the opportunity to hypothesize what, why, and how. They keep records and do an oral and written ...
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Concrete Research
Students explore concrete. In this physical science and computer research lesson plan, students work in groups to answer specific questions about concrete. Each group of students completes a different worksheet with a specific...
Curated OER
Mixtures of Matter
Students experiment with solids and liquids. In this mixtures of matter lesson, students combine matter to form solutions. Students hypothesize, test, and analyze the data to draw conclusions. The lesson can be extended by having...
Curated OER
Desalination: Creating a Solar Still
To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...
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Reviving Celery
The classic in-class demonstration using celery dipped into water with food coloring is the highlight of this biology lesson plan. Young scientists discover that organisms are made up cells and have distinguishing characteristics. After...
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Dissolving Salt
Fifth graders, in groups, complete an experiment/activity in which they dissolve salt in a cup of hot water and then observe what happens as the water evaporates over the next few weeks.
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Mystery Polymers
Students examine how some natural substances are polymers. In this polymer lesson students complete a lab and give examples of a physical change.
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Do You Dig Wetland Soil?
Students study the physical differences between wetland and upland soils. They match colors to the different levels of the soil after digging holes. They create soil color charts and chart the texture of the soils.
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Run-off Race
Pupils create wetland models in pans and use them to experiment to see how plants help slow the flow of runoff water and keep our waterways clean.
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River Study
Students study physical features of a local stream. They study how to identify water features on topographic maps.
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Phases of Matter
Students describe the motion of solids, liquids and gases. In this chemistry lesson, students describe how temperature affect motion of the particles. They determine the physical properties of each phase.
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Sand, Sand, Everywhere Sand
Students study the physical characteristics of four types of desert regions. In this desert regions lesson, students watch a video about deserts and discuss the deserts. Students compare the deserts and research the ways humans have...
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Tree Cookie Combat
Fourth graders discover what trees need to live and grow in the environment. They realize that trees sometimes interact or compete with other organisms as well as each other. They identify the physical characteristics of Utah's...
Teach Engineering
Density Column Lab - Part 2
Groups suspend objects within layers of liquids to determine the densities of different liquids and compare them to the densities of objects calculated in Part 1. The groups then carefully test their calculations by layering the...
Polar Trec
Down to the Deep Virtual Lab
At a depth of 3,000 m in the ocean, the pressure is 300 times that at sea level! In the activity, individuals predict what will happen to Styrofoam cups submerged 3,000 meters into the ocean. They then convert these units to soccer...
Curated OER
To Float or Not to Float - A Lesson on Density
Students observe and experiment with the concept of density. This is done using a simple experiment that helps them to apply scientific principles of observation and proving a hypothesis.
Curated OER
Dry Ice Activities Mini Lesson
Get your middle schoolers experimenting with dry ice. In the first activity, they place a piece in water and then use phenol red to identify its pH. In the second, they place a piece in a limewater solution and watch as the combination...
Curated OER
Pressure in Fluids
Students study the properties of fluids under different circumstances. For this pressure fluids lesson students view a demonstration, complete an activity and describe what they learned.
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Emulsion_ Compulsion
Middle schoolers experiment with common household products to determine the properties of emulsions and how they fit into the classifications of matter through this series of lessons.
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Investigation of Timbre
Pupils design an experiment to analyze the timbre of different instruments. In this physics lesson, students analyze the missing quality in sound. They discuss their results in class.
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Pure Substances and Mixtures
Students compare and contrast the properties of substances and mixtures. In this chemistry lesson, students simulate spontaneous mixing by performing a short class activity. They differentiate heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures.
Curated OER
To Float or Not to Float - A Lesson on Density
Students define density in their own words. In this physics lesson, students calculate density using mass and volume. They explain why some objects sink and some float.
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Things Are Heating Up
In this science learning exercise, students read about chemical changes. Students also answer 3 comprehension questions about the reading.