Curated OER
Understanding Waves
Students examine the physical properties of waves to explore the word crest and trough. They use toys to study waves in air, water and light.
Curated OER
The Effects of Photosynthesis on Plant Growth
Students examine the process of photosynthesis; its products and reactants, and the sequence of the process. They diagram the light reactions, record observations of plants, and discuss how difficult it is to measure plant growth as it...
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Urban Heat Islands: An Introduction to Energy Transfer and Transformation
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...
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Super Gelatin
High schoolers investigate the refraction properties of gelatin to calculate its index of refraction. They discover that as the light travels through the gelatin, its speed and wavelength also change. Students find th indes of refraction...
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How Photocells Work
Give small groups of physical scientists tokens that represent electrons in a photovoltaic cell. They play a dice game in which they move the tokens around, representing the flow of electrons through the p-n junction of a semiconductor...
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Marine Fisheries Management
Almost 200 slides make this a vast collection! It is a quirky collection, titled "Marine Fisheries Management," but having little to do with that occupation. What you will find are two-toned blue backgrounds with no pictures, but a few...
Exploratorium
Short Circuit
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...
Curated OER
Prairie Plant Investigation
Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.
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Creating New Forms of Life
Although not particularly educational, here is a creative group activity in which high school biologists will use their imaginations to create a new life form combining characteristics from existing life forms. Each group must come up...
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Using Photovoltaic Cells and Systems
This interesting document suggests nine different activities for shedding light on photovoltaic cells. A bit of background information is furnished for you, as well as many, many resource links. Listed for each activity are a learning...
Curated OER
Solar History
Using the sun's light as a source of energy is not a new concept. Give your environmental studies, engineering, or physical science class this list of how humans have used solar energy throughout history. Assign groups a certain time...
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Group 16, The Oxygen Group
The trends in group 16 and the characteristic behavior of the elements involved are listed here. Their properties also help support their function. Explanations of the atomic structure and valence electron number are not included. Since...
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Intelligence Preference
Eighth graders describe how light behaves when it strikes a surface. In this physics lesson, 8th graders investigate how the different types of mirrors reflect light. They work with their chosen group on a task they selected.
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors
Students consider how to cut their energy use. In this physical science lesson, students investigate the connections between energy use and climate changes. Students compute the actual electrical energy consumption of 2 bulbs and...
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Spin the Saltine!
Students investigate chemical energy. In this physical science instructional activity, students blow on saltine crackers to demonstrate how chemical energy in food can be converted to motion. Students compare the saltine cracker...
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The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar
Students explore climate change by participating in a physical science experiment. In this greenhouse effect lesson, students discuss the impact global warming has on our environment and how it works. Students utilize a glass jar,...
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Making a Battery
Fifth graders make a battery. In this physical science lesson, 5th graders word in pairs make the battery. Students follow 4 steps to create the battery.
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Night Sky Observation
Students explore space science by completing an observational worksheet. In this astronomy instructional activity, students view several worksheets in which students identify minor changes between separate images in preparation for real...
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Make a Pinhole Viewer
In this light worksheet, students construct a pinhole viewer using a paper box, wax paper, tape and a pushpin. They answer six questions about their observations, the orientation of the images they saw, and the results of their experiment.
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Matter and Energy
Students explore energy by completing a science worksheet in class. In this principles of matter lesson, students define the vocabulary terms force, gravity, nuclear, and electromagnetic before reading assigned text about energy....
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Mineral Identification
In this mineral identification lesson plan, students analyze 14 minerals and test their physical properties. They test the color, luster, streak, hardness and breakage of each mineral. Students answer 5 questions about the physical...
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Science: Generating Electricity
Eighth graders examine the various methods of generating electricity and explain their commonalities. They determine what is the most common source of energy and what are the potential environmental health hazards due to electrical...
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Ray Diagrams - Mirrors
In this light rays worksheet, students draw the three rays necessary to determine the location of the image. This worksheet has 10 problems to solve.
Curated OER
The Farther Away You Are, The Faster Away You Move
Young scholars explore linear relationships. The lesson uses science to develop an understanding of the expanding Universe. There are 3 Labs, only 2 of which are required. Lab C is an enrichment for higher level classes.