Curated OER
Waves
Students identify the different parts of a wave. In this physics lesson, students explain how animals communicate using sound waves. They discuss the effect of Navy's sonar on dolphins and whales.
Curated OER
Probes, Exploration and Application
Students examine the benefits of the space program to our life on earth. For this space exploration lesson students participate in a lab, answer questions and study radar mapping.
Curated OER
Model Storage Facility
Students design a storage facility that can withstand extreme wind loads. In this physics lesson, students decide how to build their facility considering budget constraints. They evaluate their design and present it to class.
Curated OER
Keep It Hot
Students design and conduct an experiment to explore the insulating abilities of different materials for keeping a liquid in a paper cup warm. A small group of lab partners test four different materials: black paper, white paper,...
Curated OER
Wavelengths of Light
Explore physical science by participating in a visual spectrum experiments. Budding scientists identify the colors in the color spectrum and view the colors in class by utilizing cellophane, flash lights, and other arts and crafts...
Curated OER
What Shape Is It?
Learners predict the shape of an unknown object by bouncing a ball on it. In this physics lesson, students relate this activity to how dolphins use echo-location to navigate. They analyze their lab result and discuss findings.
Curated OER
Gravity
Students perform inquiry in response to the question "Do objects fall at the same rate?", teacher candidates discuss a model experiment for secondary students to discover the answer, including recording and analyzing data.
Curated OER
The Cigar Box Guitar
Students correlate string tension with sound pitch. They describe how string mass (thickness) effects sound pitch and demonstrate an understanding of the physics of the acoustic guitar. They see that sound is produced by vibrations.
Curated OER
Model Mania
Eighth graders study the conservation of matter. In this chemical reaction lesson plan students examine what happens during a chemical reaction and complete a lab activity.
Baylor College
Lungometer
Life science learners construct lung-o-meters from gallon-sized milk jugs and then measure their lung capacities. For older students, have them graph the vital lung capacities of each person in the class. Cross-curricular pieces are...
Curated OER
States of Matter: Liquid
Students work in a mini lab where they measure the temperature every 30 seconds for several minutes as water is heated. They are asked what makes liquid different from a solid. Students view a PowerPoint on the model of liquids,...
Curated OER
Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe
Eighth graders describe the energy transformations as cars travel over a roller coaster. They explain the principle of conservation of energy as it relates to a roller coaster ride. The integration of technology is done using educational...
Curated OER
Electricity
The presentation begins with a circuit building activity and two data tables for young scientists to copy and complete. Full of clever animations, it will definitely spark student interest! However, the information is incoherent. You may...
Curated OER
Guild Hall
Incorporate a research project into your study of Shakespeare and the Renaissance Period. Class members assume the role of an apprentice seeking membership in one of the various guilds that existed during the Renaissance period....
Center for Learning in Action
Introduction to Matter
Begin your states of matter lessons with a demonstration designed to introduce the concept that all matter has properties. Reinforce this concept through vocabulary exploration, and the creation of atom models; salt, water, and carbon...
Curated OER
Rover Landing Design Challenge
Young scholars examine the concepts of forces and motion. They work together to design protective devices for their egg rovers as they are dropped from a specific height. They record their observations and discuss.
Curated OER
Percussion Instruments and Pitch
Students play string instruments to discover how the pitch changes on various string instruments. In this pitch instructional activity, students listen to video clips and play an online music game. Students become familiar...
Curated OER
Vertebrate History in Rocks
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read the noted section in their science textbooks and respond to 4 short answer and 3 fill in the blank questions regarding fossils embedded in rock formations.
Curated OER
Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. For this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.
Curated OER
Integrated Pest Management
Young scholars investigate the different methods used in integrated pest management. In this biology instructional activity, students evaluate experiments and case studies on IPM. They discuss the pros and cons of using this method.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Speed of Sound Lab
This lab is designed to have students investigate the relationship between the distance from an explosion and the time it takes the sound of the explosion to reach the observer. The temperature of the air can be changed by changing the...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Distance to Destruction Lab
This lab is designed to help students visualize distance between two synchronized sources that will lead to constructive and destructive interference.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Waves and Sound: Slinky Lab Interactive
Manipulate this virtual slinky that consists of a collection of dots to represent its coils. Grab a coil, and shake it back and forth to create vibrations which travel through the slinky from the location where it is shook to the ends...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Calculating the Speed of Sound
For this physical science lab, students will calculate the speed of sound. They will observe that the speed of sound is constant, regardless of wavelength or frequency, and see the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.