Curated OER
Soap Bubble Chemistry
High schoolers investigate soap bubbles. In this soap bubble chemistry instructional activity, students observe a demonstration using pop-it beads to represent a soap molecule. High schoolers produce soap bubbles in the lab by making...
Curated OER
Using Coordinate Geometry by Land, Sea and Outer Space.
Students complete a table of values and plot points, as well as construct a graph on a coordinate grid. They construct two graphs on the same coordinate system, and identify the point of intersection. Students represent and record...
Curated OER
Snow Cover by Latitude
Students create graphs showing the amount of snow coverage at various points of latitude and compare graphs.
Curated OER
Why do Stars Rise in the East?
In this stars rise in the east learning exercise, students use geometry to show how the Earth rotates from west to east and why celestial bodies appear to rise in the east and set in the west. Students draw a figure and label given...
Curated OER
The Mag Mile and ... Torque!
Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...
Curated OER
Focusing on Lenses
Students explore scientific observations by examining the parts of a microscope. For this optics lesson, students discuss the importance of a focal point and focal distance when utilizing an optical device such as a microscope. Students...
Curated OER
Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now
Fourth graders discuss how to accurately measure weather, gather materials in order to make instruments, and build weather instruments in which they measure and record different aspects of weather for a five-day period.
Curated OER
Understanding Latitude and Longitude
Teaching learners about latitude and longitude can get a little complicated. Present the concept by first representing it as a graph. Just like finding a location on a graph using the x and y-axis, learners will be able to locate items...
Curated OER
Unit II: Worksheet 1 - Velocity
Beginning physics scholars interpret two graphs depicting position versus time. For each graph, there is a series of questions to answer. The exercise is basic, but beneficial. Consider using it as an assessment of understanding after...
University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Do You See What I See?
Can art play tricks on your eyes, and can a still painting really appear to vibrate? The second lesson in a four-part series discusses the way our beautiful brains translate visual images. It highlights the style of optical art and...
University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Step Inside the Brain
Before digital microscopes, scientists hired artists to draw the things visible in the microscope. Through training in neuroscience and art, Cajal revolutionized the way we view the beautiful brain. The third activity in a series of four...
University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Strangest Dream
Do words change or add meaning or interest to a work of art? The final activity in a four-part series on the beautiful brain as a work of art focuses on art analysis. Scholars write a story about exploring art from the inside....
Bowels Physics
Kinematics
Lead your class on a speedy journey as you present an effective lesson on kinematics. Individuals review speed, acceleration, and velocity before completing several practice problems to integrate the concepts.
University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Brain Inspiration
"Neuroscientists consider Cajal as important to their discipline as Einstein is to physics." The first of four lessons has scholars view Santiago Ramon y Cajal's drawings of neurons. They reflect and respond to the art through writing...
Curated OER
Measure Up!
Students examine parallax and angular measurements. In this investigative lesson students calculate distances of objects and map their results.
Curated OER
Toothpick Tops
Pupils assembly tops and name them 1 - 12 so that they can compare their results. They guess which top they think will spin the best and then record data on "Toothpick Top" table. Using a stopwatch or clock to measure and record the spin...
Curated OER
Compass Rose
Students describe the movement of the Earth as it relates to the sun. They construct a permanent compass rose and use it to find directions.
Curated OER
Fly Me to the Moon!
In this Moon travel worksheet, students construct a simple rocket trajectory called the Hohmann Transfer orbit using a compass, string, paper and a pencil. Students solve 2 problems which include finding the number of hours it takes to...
Curated OER
What's That Tree?
Fifth graders identify trees along a nature trail. Using a dichotomous key, 5th graders answer questions to aid in their identification of trees along a specified nature trail. Observations are recorded in their science journals. Sample...
Curated OER
The Slope of Land in Your Community
Students participate in finding the slope of a sand pile and then other materials. In this geology lesson, students describe what happens to the piles of materials when they are poured through a funnel. Students measure the slope using a...
Curated OER
Exploring a City from Space
In this exploring cities from space worksheet, students use a satellite image from the QuickBird Satellite to determine the image scale. They use the image scale to calculate the length of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, the length of a...
Curated OER
Feeding the Birds
Students build bird feeders. In this aviary instructional activity, students build different types of bird feeders. This web page includes information on which type of feeder attracts which birds and what food to use with the certain...
Curated OER
Ptolemy, Copernicus, & the Church
Students determine the difference between a geocentric universe and a heliocentric universe.
Curated OER
Gridding a Site
Students establish a grid system over an archaelogical site. They label each grid unit. They determine the location of artifacts within each grid unit. They construct a scientific inquiry concerning the location of artifacts on the site.