Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acceleration, Drag, Gravity, Motion, Forces, and Friction

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders build and run mousetrap cars in order to measure distance, time, and mass for their cars. They use these measurements to calculate average speed and kinetic energy, then create a slide show to visually explain how the car...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Take a Rock Apart!

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine a crushed rock and sort the minerals they find in that rock by color and other properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honing in on Hummingbirds

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore ruby-throated hummingbirds.  In this cross-curricular hummingbirds instructional activity, students listen to the book The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and choose related topics to research with a partner....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Call to Arms

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot lesson, students examine how scientists make robots. Students design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines - Graphics, Experiments, Animation

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders display simple machines through the use of graphics, experiments, and animation. They apply problem solving and design and skills.
Lesson Plan
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Galaxies

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the structure and content of galaxies. Through discussion, lab, and hands-on activities, they discover the general structure of the three types of galaxies as well as the effect they have on the structure and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Wet Robot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners design an underwater vehicle. In this engineering lesson plan, 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

Oil Floats, Right?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the properties in oil in water. In this mixture lesson, students read about the Lophelia II 2010: Cold Seeps and Deep Reef Expedition and look at images of deep sea ecosystems. They experiment or participate in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzle of the Plates

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars research tectonic plates and their movement. In this plate lesson, students describe the motion of these plates and the boundaries between them. They look into the San Andreas Fault and explore the earthquakes associated...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Plates Collide

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate tectonic plates.  In this geology and geography lesson, students construct convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries using oobleck, foam, and tile. A large amount of background information and relevant...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary...
Worksheet
Curated OER

3-D Magnetic Field

For Students 6th - 8th
In this magnetism worksheet, students build a 3 dimensional magnetic field by using a juice bottle, a test tube, iron fillings and a magnet. Students write a descriptive story about what they observe once their bottle is complete and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of a Solar Panel-Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners examine electrical contacts, solar cells, and rechargeable batteries and compare and contrast the characteristics of a solar cell to a rechargeable battery in a hands-on activity. Students complete a worksheet as they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electricity and Magnets

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders find examples of magnets in or around their homes and make a list. They discover that some motors use magnets and make a simple motor using magnets, a battery and copper wire. They add to their magnet list.
Lesson Plan
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Stream Table

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
Lesson Plan
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MEDIEVAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the area of medieval Sub-Saharan Africa through eyes of travelers in the company of one of history's greatest travelers, Ibn Battuta. The project has been structured to include all the State standards for this unit.
Lesson Plan
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Mixed Media Landscape Design

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create mixed media representations of landscape designs in Africa and Asia. The lesson is great for cross-curricular projects with the Social Sciences and/or Literature, or can be used as a self-contained project. ...
Lesson Plan
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Conditions at Sea Data Activity

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students study how to forecast sea conditions.  In this oceanography lesson students complete a class activity on wave making. 
Lesson Plan
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Follow Those Tracks

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe a picture containing patterns of animal tracks, infer what might have happened based upon the pattern of tracks, and write a story describing what might have happened.
Lesson Plan
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Using Fulcrums

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students engage in a lesson that concentrates on the use of a lever and fulcrum. They define how a lever is used to lift a load. The lesson has background information to justify it. Students demonstrate how to use the lever while lifting...
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Curated OER

The Periodic Table of the Elements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the elements used to create fireworks. For this periodic table lesson, students discuss common metals, their characteristics, and their places on the periodic table. They work in small groups to research the elements...
Lesson Plan
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Essential Nutrients - Daily Guides

For Teachers All
List the recommended dietary guidelines and explain their function and implementation. (The guidelines are listed below) National Standards 14.3.1 Aim for fitness Aim for a healthy weight Be physically active each day
Lesson Plan
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Discovering Places & Regions

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research physical and cultural features of a place. They practice skills in gathering information from various sources, using tools such as graphic organizers, word processing, multimedia, and use of the Internet.
Lesson Plan
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Vital Signs

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students research health-related topics such as good nutrition, exercise, and the human body. They analyze their data and distribute it through the use of the Internet.