Curated OER
Ellipses and Kepler's First Law
The class examines graphs in the form r = F(¿¿) in polar coordinates (r, ¿¿), in particular with the circle, ellipse and other conic sections. They determine the nature of an ellipse by studying the role of the semimajor axis and...
NOAA
Oceans of Energy
Are the earth's oceans really just giant batteries, waiting for their energy to be harnessed? Middle school mechanical engineers will be shocked by the amazing amount of energy that forms around them after diving into part four of a...
Curated OER
Impact Craters Activity
Lunar explorers perform an experiment to understand the size of the craters on the surface of the moon. They layer flour, laundry detergent, and cocoa powder in a pan to model the lunar surface. They drop marbles from different heights...
Curated OER
Turn Up the Volume
Measuring volume can be a mystery for 5th graders, but this hands-on activity gives the gift of discovery. The volume of simple rectangular solids and irregular shapes are calculated through various methods including displacing liquid in...
TryEngineering
Sugar Crystal Challenge
Be sure to use this sweet resource. Scholars perform an experiment using sugar to investigate how surface area relates to the coarseness of sugar. They consider how this concept connects to nanotechnology.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Jump! An Exploration into Parametric Equations
Explore parametric equations in this lesson, and learn how to determine how much time it takes for an object to fall compared with an object being launched. high scoolers will use parametric equations to follow the path of objects in...
DiscoverE
Dome Home
Homes come in many different shapes and sizes. Building a model of a geodesic dome is the ultimate goal for the activity. Cutting and folding is the way to go here.
Curated OER
Effects of Weathering
Here's a great geology instructional activity for 3rd graders on weathering and erosion of soil. After a class discussion on how nature can "move a mountain," learners take a look at how a modern phenoma called acid rain can also cause...
Exploratorium
Spectra
Make a class set of spectrum tubes by first purchasing some diffraction grating, and then constructing the tools with mailing tubes or shoe boxes. If you aren't up for assembling them, you could purchase prepared spectroscope kits. This...
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Curated OER
Bubbles: Science or Fun?
Students learn through bubbles. In this science lesson plan, students test the effect of four differently shape wands and three geometric figures in a bubble mixture.
Curated OER
Bubbleology Mickey Mouse Style
Students investigate the effects of four different shaped wands and geometric shapes in a bubble solution. In this bubbleology instructional activity, the students build water and soap molecules. Students work in cooperative groups and...
Curated OER
Water Wash
Students define watersheds, ground water and nonpoint source pollution. They describe how rainwater moves on the surface, as well as underground, as part of the water cycle. They recognize what flooding is as well as its causes.
Curated OER
Introduction to Minerals
Young scholars discover how crystal structures go together to create minerals. In this earth science lesson, students work in groups to create 3-dimensional shapes of crystals that they then put together in a compact structure.
Curated OER
Invertebrate Diversity
Learners observe different animals with bilateral symmetry. In this biology lesson plan, students compare how these animals move. They discuss the evolutionary history of observed animals.
Curated OER
Tsunami Simulation Experiment
Students examine the importance of tsunami warning systems. They read and discuss an article, conduct an experiment in a wave tank, calculate wave velocities of tsunamis, and identify what happens to tsunamis as they approach a shoreline.
Curated OER
Paper Rockets
Students create rockets to test stability. In this rocketry lesson, students discover how rockets fly through air as they follow the procedures included in this activity.
Curated OER
Light
Students explore light. In this light wave physics lesson, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras. Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Compost Cake
Learners create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson plan, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Learners create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile,...
Curated OER
Longshore Current
Learners are posted at the beginning and end of a 10-meter long line parallel to the ocean and are instructed to look straight ahead towards the water. The student at the beginning of the line uses a stopwatch, goes to the water's edge...
Curated OER
Density in Relation to Float and Sink
Students explore the concept of density. In this density lesson, students determine the density of various objects. Students use the density of the various objects to predict the density of various unknown solutions.
Curated OER
Testing the Caverns
Students build model caverns using paper mache or clay and bury them in a tray of sand. They test the models by dropping balls onto them to simulate an asteroid hitting the earth. They evaluate the effectiveness of a structure against...
Curated OER
Ecology - Biodiversity Lab
Studnents examine the degree of biodiversity that exists in one's everyday environment, in order to develop an understanding of how scientists classify organisms and to explain why biodiversity is important for living things.
Curated OER
Matter Matters!
Second graders experiment with heating and cooling and research the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).