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Water Rocket
Students study the basic operation of a water rocket. For this propulsionlesson students complete several experiments on constructing a bottle rocket launcher.
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Airplane Wings
Learners examine the aerodynamics of a wing and how it generates lift. In this flight instructional activity students complete several experiments including how to build a paper plane and how airfoils affect performance.
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The Respiratory System
The student will calculate the vital capacity of the air in the lungs and trace the pathway of air into and out of the lungs. They describe the pressure changes that occur within the chest cavity when you breathe. They compare air that...
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How Water Heats Up
Fourth graders conduct experiments heating water. In this inquiry-based early chemistry lesson, 4th graders use the materials given to experiment with the process of heating water. Students draw conclusions based upon their findings...
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Biosphere
Learners examine the basic biosphere and its components. In this ecology lesson students complete several experiments including designing a system that is balanced to sustain life.
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Convection in a Pan
Learners watch a demonstration using a plastic bag and a hair dryer to create a hot air balloon. After the demonstration, they discuss the results and whether or not hot water behaves the in the same manner as hot air. They conduct...
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Corrosion & Rust
Students examine how and when rust and corrosion occur. In this corrosion lesson students complete an experiment to see why metals rust.
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Stomata
Students explore what the stoma does for a plant. In this botany lesson students complete a stomatal peel experiment and measure its densities.
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Weather or Not (Cloud Formation/Condensation)
Learners investigate the formation of clouds and rain in this experiment. They decide how dust in the air helps to make clouds form and how dust helps meteorologists make forecasts.
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The Drag of Drag
Students are told that any object moving through a fluid (air, water, molasses, etc) experience a drag force which oppose the motion. They are given the summarized version of drag which is proportional to the square of the velocity....
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Reaction Rates-Catalysis, Concentration, Surface Area, and Temperature
Young scholars determine the meanings of concentration, surface area, and catalysis through an experiment. In this instructional activity about chemical reactions, students participate in an experiment. Young scholars complete three...
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The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar
Students explore climate change by participating in a physical science experiment. In this greenhouse effect lesson, students discuss the impact global warming has on our environment and how it works. Students utilize a glass jar,...
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Monitoring Oxygen Level
Students measure oxygen percentages in room air and air exhaled after they perform various activities. They explore various websites, and record and analyze the data from the experiments.
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Barometer Investigation
Students construct a barometer to use in an experiment that they design to measure the air pressure on a daily basis. These observations of air pressure allow students to determine how weather is affected when a storm is approaching and...
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How Things Fly
Young scholars explain basic principles of aeronautics such as gravity and lift. In this How Things Fly lesson, students visit the interactive, hands-on How Things Fly gallery at the Smithsonian. Young scholars perform three experiments...
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Weightlessness
Students use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
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Dew Point
Fourth graders investigate saturation conditions and measure the dew point. They conduct an experiment, record data on a worksheet, and measure the dew point in the experiment.
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Lesson 5: Boyle's Law
Students participate in a lab to verify Boyle's Law using applied force (weight) to do work on a closed isolated system of air. "Elasticity of Gases Apparatus, BASIX" from Sargent-Welch is the syringe apparatus used to measure volume...
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Investigation 3 - Condensation Chambers
Fourth graders investigate the concept of condensation and how it is formed. They conduct an experiment and make observations of the chambers. Students record the data and then write down conclusions. The lesson includes background...
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Water Pressure
High schoolers spend time examining the concept of water pressure. In groups, they research the amount of air pressure that is felt at different levels above sea level. Using a calculator, they calculate the water pressure given...
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Out and About: Sound
Students visit science museums. In this hands-on science instructional activity, students visit the Magna Science Adventure Center, Thinktank, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
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Respiratory System
Students analyze the function of the lungs. In this lesson about the Respiratory System, students explore breathing and the movement of air through the lungs. Students perform an 4 part experiment to observe what it might look like for...
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Weather and Oceans: Uneven Heating of the Earth
Learners investigate what causes the heat on Earth. In this Earth heating instructional activity, students experiment with different heat sources and determine where the Earth gathers the most heat. Learners explore...
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Incandescent Light Bulb
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works. In this electricity lesson plan students complete several experiments on the light bulb.