Curated OER
Jumpin' Pepper and Lazy Salt
Students examine the result of a negative charge. After rubbing a balloon with a wool cloth, students hold it over a mixture of salt and pepper. They observe the pepper "jumps" to the balloon. Students discuss their observations and then...
Curated OER
Solar Car Races: Build and retrofit for speed
If you have solar car kits for your junior high schoolers, they can experiment with photovoltaic cell angle, light intensity, and aerodynamic design to discover what makes their car move more quickly. This is a classic activity to use...
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Old Made New
Learners explore recycling. In this science lesson, students sort everyday objects based on their properties. Learners view examples of items made from recycled paper. Students create recycled paper.
Curated OER
Stacking Water
Students experiment with different salinities of water using straws and different colors of water. They collect and interpret data from the experiment.
Curated OER
Who Polluted the River?
Study the impact of water pollution. A hands-on experiment and an interactive story about water pollution are the basis for the learning experience.
Curated OER
Electric Motor
Bright and attractive graphics are included to explain how an electric motor works. Along the way, there are a few multiple-choice question slides can be used to pause and evaluate student comprehension. This presentation would be useful...
Curated OER
One, Two, Three--Isaac Newton and Me
Students experiment to develop understanding of Newton's Laws and how they apply to space travel in this ten day lesson sequence.
Curated OER
Bicycle Wheel Gyro
Using a bicycle wheel and a rotating stool, young physicists experiment with angular momentum. This is a simple, fun, and educational activity that demonstrates a foundational concept. If you can secure the materials, it is definitely...
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Take a Leap!
Eighth graders discuss the flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. They study artwork of various sculptors showing the concept of flight. They write a paragraph and design a papier-mache' sculpture that shows movement.
Curated OER
Investigating Properties of Water: Temperature
Investigate how temperature affects the density of water and stratification that occurs in bodies of water when temperatures vary. Water of differing temperatures is given different colors to see the layers that form. The lesson is meant...
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Series or Parallel?
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
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Scientific Method Project
Students apply the scientific method and create a practical invention. For this science lesson, students design an original and practical invention and present the idea to the class. Class role plays the part of a CEO and vote on which...
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Sink or Float
Third graders sort objects into those they think will float and those that will sink and test their predictions. They experiment with clay molding it into shapes that float. They place pennies in them until they sink. They test other...
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Bernoulli's Principle Lab
Students are introduced Bernoulli's Principle and how it shows the relationship between fluid speed and pressure change. In groups, they participate in experiments in different processes in the industrial world. They share their...
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What If There's No Light?
students discuss the importance of light and the consequences of living without it. Using a plant as a demonstration, students predict and observe what happens to a plant when it does not receive enough light. In groups, they experiment...
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Testing Leaves for Starch: the Technique
Like good scientists, kids often want to see first-hand why things are as they are; they can do just that in the starch-testing photosynthesis activity found here. Depending on the age of your pupils, you may wish to do the investigation...
Curated OER
Sound And Motion
Pupils investigate the concept of sound and vibration. They use a tuning fork to make an observation. Students then propose the ideas of different experimental designs to test the concept. The ideas are constructed and then tested.
Curated OER
Keep It Cool
Young scholars complete a science experiment to study insulation, heat transfer, and permafrost. In this permafrost study lesson, students design and test a soda insulator. Young scholars graph their class data and discuss the results....
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Quantitative Research
In this science activity, students find the words that are related to the design of experimental research and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
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Household Chemicals & the Environment
Learners conduct a laboratory experiment designed to investigate the effects of chemicals, soil quality and pollution on seed growth and plant yield. They consider how best to maximize agriculture in the long term.
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Where in the World is Carbon Dixoide?
Students conduct experiments designed to detect the presence of CO2 by using a BTB that changes color (blue to yellow) in the presence of CO2. First, students experiment with the CO2 from combining vinegar and baking soda. In part two,...
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The Magic School Bus Rocks and Rolls
Students participate in a science experiment to show them the power that water erosion has to sculpt stone. They explore how running water moves earth and creates new landforms.
American Chemical Society
Using Chemical Change to Identify an Unknown
If you discover an unknown powder, how do you determine if it is safe? Lesson uses four different tests to identify the properties of various powders that appear the same. Then scholars get an unknown powder and have to determine which...
Curated OER
Fast Cars and Roll-Over
Young scholars creat a ramp using cardboard and tape. They follow directions to perform an experiment to determine the degree of tilt needed to cause an empty milk carton to tip over. Students discuss their results in terms of center of...