Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acids and Bases

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study acid and bases and how they fall on the pH scale. For this solutions lesson students complete a lob activity using litmus then fill out a data table.
Activity
Exploratorium

Short Circuit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Though not commonly searched for, this is a vivid demonstration of how a fuse can be blown, or rather, how resistance works in an electric circuit. You will basically set up a circuit with no lights or bells or motors, allowing the wire...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ohm's Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
If your future physicists know how to construct simple circuits, include resistors, and use a multi-meter to measure voltage, then you might employ this instructional activity on Ohm's law. Each lab group investigates the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Oscilloscope as a Voltmeter

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students measure the electric potential of 9 volt batteries using oscilloscopes. They draw a diagram of the front panel of the oscilloscope, conduct the experiment, and create a graph of voltage versus the number of batteries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Quest For Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate and apply properties of math. In this algebra and physics lesson, students define important vocabulary words to create a basic understanding of keywords. They perform experiments using concepts of electricity and math.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Construction of an Ammeter and a Voltmeter from a Galvanometer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore series and parallel circuits. In this physics lesson, students construct a simple circuit and measure its maximum current. They construct their own voltmeter and ammeter that operates at a specified range.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Swim

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students define density and explain how to determine the density of an object. Students participate in a demonstration that shows the differences in the densities of different liquids and how they affect the liquid's physical properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrical Circuits - Current & Voltage in Series Circuits

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars investigate the relationship between current and voltage in a series circuit. In this physics lesson plan, students measure the current across each light bulb. They predict what happens to the circuit if one bulb is blows...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is an Electromagnet?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students give examples of electromagnet applications. In this physics lesson, students explore what makes electromagnets work. They experiment picking paper clips with it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electronic Components

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students review new terminology and computer circuits and the value of a resistor. They complete three experiments, "Resistance Activities," Transistor Activities,"Diode Activities" and enter data, results and their findings on Student...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetism

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the generation of magnetic fields from currents in wires and measure the magnetic field directions. They measure magnetic fields in their own environment. They also examine how moving magnetic fields can create currents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Wet Robot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers design an underwater vehicle. For this engineering lesson, students will design an underwater robot that includes specific systems for it to function properly. Each group will present their prototype to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Corrosion to Corals

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents.  In this ocean lesson students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrical Circuits

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make an electrical switch. In this electricity lesson, 6th graders will make an electrical switch, a series circuit, and a parallel circuit. They explain an open and closed circuit and give examples of  series and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toying Around with a System

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders look at the system that could be present in common toys. They manipulate and identify parts that have to work together in order to form a system. When working or not students should comprehend how things go together.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magnetic Field in a Current Carrying Coil

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore the relationship between a current in a coil and the magnetic field.  In this physics lesson students complete a lab activity using a magnet and batteries. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building an Electric Motor

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students study different motors and how they convert electrical energy to mechanical energy.  In this motor lesson students make a model of an electric motor and examine how it can be used to do work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electricity

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experiment to find out how to light a bulb with simple materials. They make predictions if a light bulb set-up could work and gain knowledge to tell the difference between an open and closed circuit. They also figure out...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sorting

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students understand that sorting helps find things at a later date. In this sorting lesson, students use a website game and sort the common items. Students sort folders and other classroom items. Students discuss how sorting helped them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Ohm's Law

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the relationship of resistance, voltage, and current in series and parallel circuits using a computer model of a circuit board. They discover Ohm's Law by constructing series circuits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydrogen Powered Cars

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students apply the principles of chemistry to investigate the concept of how a hydrogen powered car works. They study the electrochemical reactions that provide the energy source. Students also record observations in the functioning of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pulleys and Gears

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students analyze an engineering problem. They contrast paper and pencil mastery of concepts with hands-on mastery. They present their design and rationale behind it, whether it works or not.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Introduction to Chemistry

For Students 9th - 12th
In this introduction to chemistry instructional activity, students answer 9 questions regarding the study of chemistry. The first part is matching, then they "think like a scientist" and then they problem solve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Submersible Designer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work in groups to design, build, and test a submersible prototype. In this engineering lesson, students learn about the importance and design of submersible vessels and apply their knowledge by building one of their own. They...