Sometimes scientists learn more from unexpected findings than from routine analysis! Junior oceanographers dive deep to explore hydrothermal vent communities in the fourth lesson in a series of five. Scholars examine data and look for...

How does examining an ice core tell us about weather? Learners set up and explore fake ice cores made of sugar, salt, and ash to represent historical snowfall and volcanic eruptions. From their setups, scholars determine what caused the...

Explore a day in the life of a water droplet. An interactive infographic helps scholars learn how water cycles work from precipitation all the way around to condensation. Learners hover over each step of the cycle to read more as they...

In this biosphere worksheet, students identify the different levels of organization that ecologists study. Students complete charts, sentences, and answer short answer questions.

Students explain that photosynthesis is a process that plants use to convert light energy into glucose. They summarize photosynthesis as a chemical process in which the plant uses carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen.

Students use a meter to measure the energy used and carbon produced by electronics and appliances. In this environmental science and technology lesson, students use a Kill-A-Watt meter to determine the electricity used by everyday...

Students track and record data on the Sun's position in the sky and on the output of a solar panel tracking the Sun. On a second day, students graph and analyze the data to identify relationships between (1) the time of day, (2) the...

Students analyze the energy consumption of a household to see the amount of carbon dioxide they add to the atmosphere each year.  For this energy consumption lesson students calculate carbon emissions and discuss sources of carbon...

Middle schoolers construct a simple robotic energy transformer. In this space science instructional activity, students explain how energy is transformed from one form to another. They identify the different uses of robotic devices.

Students use a selection of solar panels, lamps, motors, and an AA battery to get as many motors or lights to operate as they can in an allotted time period. For each successful arrangement, they draw a diagram of their setup, label the...

Students explore solar power. In this solar power lesson, students build simple solar cookers after they study convection, conduction, and radiation. Students transfer their knowledge of how the solar cooker works to climate changes on...

In this heat instructional activity, students determine the heat gained or lost when matter changes phases. Students review the energy flow through ecosystems by comparing trophic levels and food webs. This instructional activity has 10...

Students examine the electromagnetic spectrum and demonstrate the elements within.  In this investigative lesson plan students complete a demonstration and calculate the energy of a photon. 

First graders discuss work, force, and energy. They study how work is done. Students discuss various types of work that are done. They act out how work is done. Student draw pictures of types of work they have done.

Young scholars examine molecules and the changes in energy of a system.  In this energy systems lesson students complete a lab activity and describe changes of state.

Students role several balls of different weights down a ramp and into a paper cup and record how far each ball made the paper cup move. They then answer questions that help them analyze their results and reinforce the idea that energy...

Students examine energy use and the different construction materials used in their home.  In this sustainable choices lesson students study different materials and what a sound environmental choice would be. 

Students studykinetic energy, friction, drag and acceleration by relating it to the Winter Olympics.  For this physical properties lesson students create tracks and determine how the course conditions affect bobsled, luge and...

Ninth graders complete a unit of lessons on ecosystems, organism interactions, and energy flow. They create a key for known species of fish, diagram the movement of energy through an ecosystem, and create and present food chains and food...

Students make bread and understand that bread gives us energy. In this bread lesson plan, students read the story A Trip to the Market, and learn about the importance of bread. Then they make the bread!

Students demonstrate how the color of materials on Earth affect the amount of solar energy that is absorbed.  In this solar energy lesson plan students complete a lab to explore how the color of materials on the Earth's surface...

Fourth graders define the differences between static and current electricity by participating in an investigation.  In this energy lesson, 4th graders utilize electrical supplies to demonstrate the differences between static and...

Ninth graders experiment with bouncing balls to investigate the elasticity coefficient of different sizes and types of balls. In this superball physics lesson, 9th graders bounce various types of balls from differing heights. They...

Pupils observe the affects of a substance's composition and structure have on its solubility.  In this cellulose activity students compare the amount of energy required to dissolve mono-saccharides with that required to dissolve...