Curated OER
New Creations from Six Simple Machines
Middle schoolers explore different types of simple machines and research the concepts of force, effort, and work. They conduct Internet research and complete a worksheet about examples of simple machines used in everyday life. Students...
Curated OER
The Social Sciences
Students search for examples of social science in and around their school. They create a Social Science scrapbook of the eight social sciences, that includes news articles and summaries that focus on each social science area.
Curated OER
Nuclear Science: Understanding the Development and Control of Nuclear Energy
Students comprehend the Development and control of Nuclear Energy. They analyze the historical significance of the atomic age through use of primary documents. Students examines nuclear energy from the perspective of physical sciences.
Curated OER
Disguise for the Eyes
Young scientists discover how many, many animals use color as a way of helping them to survive in the wild. They understand how animals use color in their everyday lives. Pupils engage in hands-on activities, watch videos, access...
LABScI
Botany: The Plant Dissection Lab
Study everything about plants! The 12-part series of lessons continues with an examination of many aspects of plants. Components of the laboratory activity address the growth and structure of plants by evaluating familiar plants. The...
Curated OER
Recognizing the Importance of Sight
Learners discover the true value of their senses. In this sight instructional activity, students discover the difficulty of life without sight by performing everyday activities without the help of their eyes. The learners examine their...
Curated OER
Simple Machines IV - Levers
The lever is an everyday simple machine. Youngsters learn the principles of levers and explore their many uses. Groups of pupils perform a simple lab where they lift objects with a fulcrum while placing the load in a variety of...
Curated OER
Energy Conservation Games
Middle school physicsl science explorers play a game using dominoes that you have photocopied onto cardstock. Through the game, they familiarize themselves with the conservation of energy and the transformatin from one form to another....
Space Awareness
Meet Our Neighbors: Moon
Since a field trip to the moon isn't possible, bring the moon to young astronomers! Participants use everyday materials to create models of the moon and represent the features on its surface. The materials serve as a tactile as well as a...
NASA
Christa's Lost Lesson: Newton’s Laws
How do the laws of motion work in space? Learners explore Newton's laws of motion in different experiments as part of the Christa's Lost Lessons series. They rotate around the room in three stations to experience each law in action using...
SF Environment
Waste-Less Lunch
Is it possible to have a waste-less lunch? Can your class become leaders in conservation? Discuss the importance of reducing waste during lunch time with a fun instructional activity that can be extended to everyday practices. First the...
Curated OER
Agriculture in Your Life
Students explore the origins of food and other everyday products around the United States. In this agricultural lesson, students learn basic vocabulary and practice matching common items with their agricultural source. They categorize...
Curated OER
Hidden Science in Colonial Living
Fifth graders evaluate evidence that indicates a physical change has occurred. In this colonial living lesson, 5th graders explore the science involved in the making of items used in colonial life, such as, bread, butter, soap, candles,...
Curated OER
Getting Food
Learners complete activities to learn about the ocean food web. In this ocean life lesson plan, students discuss how the tides affect feeding, learn about filter feeders, grazers, predators, and scavengers. Learners then group the...
Curated OER
Come Shine with Us: Floor Polish Testing and Industrial Science To Teach Critical Thinking
Pupils discover that science relates to everyday life and see testing procedures used in an industrial laboratory. Students compare various brands of household and industrial floor polishes for specific criteria.
Curated OER
Characteristics of Materials
Students examine everyday materials by utilizing educational software. In this group analysis instructional activity, students identify several different fabrics and materials used in everyday life. Students participate in a computer...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students identify the various ways water move throughout the earth as part of the water cycle. In this science lesson, students gain a knowledge of basic science concepts related to everyday life through patterns and how they repeat as...
Virginia Department of Education
Macromolecules
Finally, a chance for the class to play with their food! Allow pupils to simulate stomach acid with common foods, and introduce specific macromolecules into the mixture to explore characteristics of carbohydrates, lipids,...
Baylor College
Need or Want?
Even as adults it can be hard to distinguish needs from wants. Using pictures of common, everyday items, children make a pocket chart separating the objects they need from those that they want. Discuss their choices, explaining that...
Curated OER
Identify and use Simple Machines
Students are exposed to simple machines and their uses. In this everyday tools lesson, students watch a demonstration on how a lever, pulley, ramp, and wheel works. Students are given the opportunity to use hands-on techniques to explore...
Curated OER
Science Unit Lesson Five
Sixth graders review how and which plants operate in terrariums. In groups, they follow instructions to make their own terrarium and place different types of plants in it. To end the activity, they review the steps in the water cycle and...
Curated OER
A Multimedia Presentation to Describe Newton's Laws of Motion
Eighth graders use various sources to find pictorial evidence of Newton's laws of motion in everyday life. They use various sources of technology to import those pictures into a multimedia presentations.
Curated OER
Problem-Solving Math 1
Learners discuss the different ways we use numbers in everyday life. They walk around the classroom for 5 to 10 minutes, students are asked to point out examples of numbers they find in the room. Learners are asked to image a world...
TryEngineering
Pulleys and Force
Students investigate pulleys and pulley systems. They demonstrate how multiple pulleys dramatically reduce required force. They study hoe pulley systems are used in machines and impact everyday life.