University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
Did you know scientists can tell the age of an asteroid by looking closely at its craters? This final lesson of a six-part series focuses on two asteroids, Gaspra and Ida, in order to demonstrate the concept of dating asteroids. Scholars...
American Chemical Society
Setting the Standards of Excellence
A number doesn't have much meaning without a standard of reference. Learners read about the history of developing standards to measure chemical and physical properties and complete reading guides to process the information. They focus on...
NASA
Just How Far is That Star?
Pupils often wonder how we know the distance to various stars. Starting with a thought experiment and progressing to a physical experiment, they determine the brightness and distance to various stars. The evaluation requires...
Forest Foundation
Fire Investigation and Experimentation
Assess the probability of a wildfire with several lessons about fire danger ratings and risk factors. After experimenting with fuel moisture, learners explore the various elements that could contribute to a wildfire, such as wind...
Curated OER
That's Predictable - Stream Side Science
Research the impact that changes in biotic or abiotic factors might have on an ecosystem. Debate for or against the changes and take action in the community. This resource ideally follows stream studies that young ecologists may have...
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Utah Open Textbook: 7th Grade Science
Physical and biological factors affect everyday living. Scholars explore electromagnetic forces, motion, the rock cycle, and geological changes. They examine cells as the building blocks of life and how organisms reproduce using images...
BBC
Rivers - Lesson Plan for Use Online
Here is a very nice lesson on rivers and the water cycle designed for young learners. In it, pupils view two animated cartoons that do a terrific job of showing how the water cycle works, and how rivers flow. After that, everyone answers...
Curated OER
Lesson: Hovercraft Racers
Now, this lesson would be a blast! When your engineering or physics class is examining the reduction of friction or fluid dynamics, you can have them make these hovercraft racers. Using a balloon, a bottle cap, and a compact disc, middle...
Concord Consortium
Direction of Force on Charged Objects
Make your unit on magnetism a force to be reckoned with! Physical science scholars examine the direction of force on charged objects through a simple interactive. Pupils control the charge of the stationary object, then observe how it...
Science Companion
Simple Machines Design Project
Make your work as a teacher a little easier with a physical science project on simple machines. After introducing young scientists to these devices and identifying their different uses around the school, this project engages...
Curated OER
Physical Education Lesson Plan - Medicine Ball
Use the medicine ball to help young learners develop strength in the core muscle groups. The Russian twists develop oblique strength, push-ups develop triceps strength, sit-ups work on abdominal strength, and squats develop quadriceps...
Evergreen State College
Physics: Motion
My acceleration is downward at 9.8 meters per second squared. That means I'm falling for this physics of motion worksheet. Once motion has been covered in class, give a worksheet that offers multiple choice and short answer...
Exploratorium
Bubble Tray
Create jumbo bubbles and use them to teach about surface tension or interference, perfect for a physical science lesson on light or molecular attraction.
Curated OER
My Science Box: Snail Variation
Students observe snails and their characteristics. In this science lesson, students decide how to measure their snails and to observe a behavioral trait. Students create a graph to present their findings.
Curated OER
Boot Reer Root Beer
Fifth graders investigate chemical reactions. In this physical science instructional activity, 5th graders make dry ice root beer and identify the type of change that occurs to the root beer mixture.
Curated OER
Summer Science Lesson Plans
You can use these lesson plans to incorporate some science into your summer.
Discovery Education
Physical Oceanography and Meteorology, Navy Search and Rescue Operation
It's an ocean rescue mission! Groups must find a pilot downed off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay. Rescuers must determine the distance needed to travel as well as the heading to get to the pilot's last known position. Taking...
Curated OER
Changes in Nature
The goal of this science lesson is to have youngsters be able to identify the physical and chemical changes in the carbon cycle, and water cycle due to weathering. The in-class inquiry/experiment is quite interesting and easy to...
Curated OER
Water 1: Water and Ice
Young scholars explore the states of water. In this science lesson, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe water as it changes from a solid to a liquid.
NOAA
Biological Oceanographic Investigations – I, Robot, Can Do That!
How do you decide the best person for each job? Would it be easier if you didn't have to consider their feelings? The lesson begins with a discussion of underwater robots. Then groups research one of these robots and present their...
Curated OER
Water Cycle Activities
Explore the water cycle in all aspects with a resource packed full of activities and lessons. The 37-page packet comes with vocabulary, a game, writing prompts, printables, and opportunities to journey through the stages in the water...
Curated OER
Waves
Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science lesson designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and graphs. The...
NOAA
The Oceanographic Yo-yo
How does chemistry help deep-sea explorers? Part four of a five-part series of lessons from aboard the Okeanos Explorer introduces middle school scientists to technologies used in ocean exploration. Groups work together to analyze data...
Curated OER
Gadget Anatomy
Sure to be a hit with your charges, here is a science lesson that has lots of hands-on activities packed into it. The focus is simple machines, and how they help us perform work. After a discussion and demonstration session, groups of...