Lesson Plan
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Introduction to the Scientific Method

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars recognize and follow the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment.  In this scientific method lesson, students use inquiry tools to measure objects.  Young scholars record their data.
Lesson Plan
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Density and Mass

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners experiment to find which liquids are more dense.  In this density and mass lesson, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. learners observe which items sink and float. Students complete...
Lesson Plan
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Solutions and Suspensions

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore matter by conducting an in class demonstration. In this liquid mixture lesson, students identify the difference between a solution in which a solid dissolves into liquid, and a suspension where the solid doesn't dissolve...
Lesson Plan
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Bioplastics

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students define bioplastics and identify its uses.  In this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination.  Students understand what biodegradeable means.
Lesson Plan
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Energy: Light -- Spinning Color Wheel

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders make spinning color wheels to determine how energy effects what colors look like. They paint or color a color wheel with the seven colors of the spectrum. Next, the spin the wheel to determine what happens. In order to...
Lesson Plan
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Newton's Second Law of Motion with Balance Toys

For Teachers K
Students discuss acceleration and deceleration and participate in brief demonstrations of the Second Law of Motion. They apply the law to a metal balance toy and a plastic balance toy by applying the same force then with different forces.
Lesson Plan
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By Bernoulli, Where's Gravity?

For Teachers K
Students observe a 1/4 inch by 2 inch piece of paper that is held vertically downward under the bottom lip, noting that the paper is pulled down by gravity. They predict what happens to the paper if air is blown out. After air is blown,...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Transformation with Balance Toys

For Teachers K
Students explore and identify the concepts of potential and kinetic energy. They define kinetic and potential energy and discuss examples of each. Students then play a game involving balance toys, demonstrating both kinetic and potential...
Lesson Plan
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Newton's Second Law of Motion with Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st
First graders study Newton's Second Law of Motion before demonstrating the concept with a simple machine. They sing a song about speed, force, mass, and acceleration. They use simple machines to demonstrate how objects that have a higher...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Transformation with Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify both potential and kinetic energy in a game they play in the classroom. They listen as the teacher explains the difference between potential and kinetic energy when observing a simple machine. Using simple...
Lesson Plan
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Crash Test Dummies

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to Newton's First Law of Motion. In groups, they describe the differences between balanced and unbalanced forces. They participate in experiments that demonstrate how equal and opposite forces act upon...
Lesson Plan
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Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation with Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st
First graders engage in a lesson that is about Newton's Laws Of Gravitation while conducting research in order to perform an information search. They sing a song about the Law of Gravitation and play a game of Ring Around The Rosie. Then...
Lesson Plan
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Heat Up the Floating Plates

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research the connection between the convection currents within the mantle of the earth and the moving of Earth's plates. A connection to lessons at previous grade levels on the rock cycle and important background...
Lesson Plan
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Extensions - Astronomy Review Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a review unit in Astronomy using the Layered Curriculum. This allows them to take charge of the type of assessment that is given. The method also allows better differentiation of instruction to occur.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to the Scientific Method

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students designs and conduct a scientific experiment that identifies the problem, distinguishes manipulated, responding and controlled variables, collects, analyzes and communicates data, and makes valid inferences and conclusions.
Lesson Plan
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Learn to Build a Rocket in 5 Days

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars explore physics by participating in an engineering activity. In this rocket lesson, students define a list of scientific vocabulary terms such as "re-engineering" and "trade-off." Young scholars identify the rocket...
Lesson Plan
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Electricity and Lightning

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students define important vocabulary words related to electricity and charges. In this physics instructional activity, students examine force created by electricity and lightning. They differentiate between the two forces and how they...
Lesson Plan
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Clouds and the Weather

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders analyze the relationship of clouds and local weather. Students also observe and record cloud data and weather conditions daily as they research different cloud types. The data is analyzed looking for trends in daily...
Lesson Plan
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Chemistry - Atoms and Elements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform varied activities as part of a layered curriculum unit: They write and perform a skit that outlines the evolution of the model of the atom. The script is submitted to the teacher for review before performance.
Lesson Plan
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Conversion of Energy Into Different Forms

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners study energy conversion and the forms energy may take. In this energy conversion lesson, students study energy conversions in flash paper, rubber bands, mechanical cranks, and a radiometer.
Lesson Plan
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Environmental Science/Water Pollution

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners study natural habitats, aquatic life, renewable and non-renewable resources. They discuss conservation efforts for sea otters and desert toad in this units.
Lesson Plan
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Science: Exploration Tubs

For Teachers 1st
First graders develop skills of scientific inquiry. They determine which objects float and which sink.
Lesson Plan
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Sports in Physics: Measuring Velocity in a Mini-Olympics

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration.  In this velocity lesson students read and construct a line graph and a bar graph to show information about velocities of sports activities. 
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A “Scientific” Approach to Buying a Car

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what it takes to purchase a car and the resources out there to help find what you are looking for.  In this scientific method lesson students complete different problem solving situations.