Curated OER
Dell House Dig
Learners experience an archaeological dig exploring off the shore of Black Hawk Island and Wisconsin River. They study in the same place where the infamous Dell House once stood. Dell House and its historical significance is reviewed...
Curated OER
Liquids in Bottles
Learners investigate different liquids to develop their concept of a liquid. They work at a center to tip, swirl, shake, roll, and otherwise investigate seven liquids in small, clear plastic bottles: plain water, corn syrup, liquid...
Curated OER
Separating Soup Mix
Students use screens of three sizes to separate a mixture of five solid materials. They plan and conduct simple investigations using appropriate tools, measures, and safety rules and record and report observations, explanations, and...
Curated OER
Harvesting Oil from the Earth
Fourth graders research sources of fossil fuels especially oil while determining how scientists take core samples from an Earth model. They look at oil consumption and production in the US and throughout the world.
Curated OER
Mohs Hardness Test
Fifth graders examine what the Mohs Hardness Scale is before testing a number of minerals to determine their place on the scale. They test a fingernail, a penny, a knife blade, a metal file, and several unknown minerals and rocks using...
Curated OER
Mystery of the Alaskan Seamounts
Students study seamounts and the processes that form them. In this Gulf of Alaska lesson students interpret data and investigate a hypothesis.
Curated OER
Exploring the Elements of a Japanese Garden Through the Book Arts
Students create book arts based on a visit to the Botanical Garden. They choose their own images to put into their book and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
Playground Zoom
Students observe and draw small objects on the playground or in the classroom with and without a magnifying glass. They explore how lenses can affect the way that an object is observed from afar or remotely sensed. Afterwards, they share...
Curated OER
Frozen Film
Learners discover how light reflects off surfaces. In this hands-on demonstration, students examine how variations in color are produced by light interference.
Curated OER
Pictograph Stone Carving
Students examine pictures of pictograph writing by Native American tribes, and discuss why this method of communication was used. They create their own messages with symbols and drawings on pieces of Styrofoam to simulate rock carvings.
Curated OER
Watch It Slide!
Students work together to examine inclined planes. They create a plan to raise rocks to build pyramids. They discover the changes that occur when the angle is increased or decreased.
Curated OER
Hey, Look Me Over!
Students make observations about mealworms using hand lenses, rulers, and cotton swabs. Students complete their own mealworm observation chart, then they share their observations with the class. This is one station out of five in an...
Curated OER
Geographics in Arkansas
Third graders discuss where Arkansas is located on the United States map. They use geographic tools to participate in activities.
Curated OER
What's Under There?
Students determine ways to make "observations" about unknowns, such as the land beneath an ice sheet or the interior of the Earth, using tools other than sight. They build "mystery boxes" and exchange them with other groups to "map"...
Curated OER
Digging in the Dirt
First graders awareness is raised that not all dirt is the same. They compare and observe particle sizes in three different kinds of soils. They keep a record book of what the discover and talk about how some soils are alike and some...
Curated OER
Green Leaves
Third graders, after having conducted one experiment three times, record their observations results in a chart. They predict what hidden colors they believe that a leaf holds. Students record their predictions in their science note books...
Curated OER
Frozen Film
Students are introduced to the topic of light interference through this hands-on activity. They observe how light reflects off two surfaces and then meets to form an interesting variation of color on a film surface.
Curated OER
Beginning Analogies 10
In this analogies worksheet, students read the pairs of words and select the answer that best expresses a relationship similar to the original pair. Students complete 12 examples.
Teach Engineering
Are We Alone?
Find an answer to the age-old debate of whether life exists on Mars. Groups determine criteria to help look for signs of life on Mars. The activity has the class simulate testing Martian soil samples for signs of life before drawing...
Curated OER
Matter, Matter, Everywhere!
Eighth graders make inquiry about the existence of matter. A definition of the word is needed before students can engage in various activities. The application of knowing about matter is done in the working of experiments.
Curated OER
Tommyknockers
Students explore the folklore of Tommyknockers. They discuss why the Tommyknockers were important to miners. Students make a favorite snack of the Tommyknockers, Cornish pastries.
Curated OER
Mineral Lab
Eighth graders examine the physical properties of different minerals. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain the uses of minerals in their daily lives. They complete the mineral identification table during the lesson.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Rock Cycle
Through five lessons, students are introduced to all facets of the rock cycle. Topics include rock and mineral types, material stresses and weathering, geologic time and fossil formation, the Earth's crust and tectonic plates, and soil...