Lesson Plan
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The Amazing Apple

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners analyze an apple. In this lesson about developing inquiry skills, students do an experiment with an apple. Learners make several observations about the apple. Students answer questions to help them improve and practice their...
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Juicing the Differences

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the vitamin C content of orange juice. In this chemistry lesson, 7th graders analyze the variables that cause result variation in their experiment. They design a new experiment to test variables in question.
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Resistor and Resistance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore electrical resistance through various experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate resistance using a mathematical formula. They explain how colors identify the resistance value of a resistor.
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Seeds & Germination

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students study the types and parts of seeds and how they have evolved.  In this germination lesson students complete experiments that show the effects of variables role in seed germination. 
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Swings

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate variables which may seem to affect the movement of a pendulum, or "swing."They interpret their observations and apply the scientific principles to develop explanations and solve a new problem.
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Bernoulli's Principle

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore Bernoulli's principle, how it is related to flight, and the effect of lift, thrust, and drag on flight. They design and develop an experiment that tests for distance traveled by their paper airplane, and record and...
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Incline Planes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine the forces necessary to move a truck on an inclined plane with weight and slope as variables. They identify the cheapest way to transport trash to local garbage disposal sites.
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Modeling the Big Bang and the Formation of the Universe

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct an experiment to understand the Big Bang Theory.  In this Big Bang Theory lesson, 6th graders will observe a balloon with confetti popping to emulate and analyze information related tot he Big Bang theory....
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Air Is there

For Teachers K - 5th
Students experiment to observe air and its mass.  In this air lesson, students use the scientific method to complete experiments that demonstrate the properties of air. Students view a video as follow-up.
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Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students use the design process to investigate physical science.  For this force and motion lesson, design a track to achieve a specified outcome. Students complete additional experiments with speed and distance.  Students...
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Natural Disasters: An Adventure in Non-Fiction

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students study different natural disasters.  In this natural disaster lesson students read a nonfiction book followed by a discussion, an experiment,  then collect illustrations from their experience. 
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Scientific Method and Crystal Growth

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners conduct a hands-on experiment growing crystals to demonstrate the nature of science as inquiry. They discuss and test variables that affect crystal growth. They research mineral crystallization and mineral formation on the...
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Analysis of Bleach

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and compare laundry bleaches by testing their oxidizing powers. They conduct their lab experiment, compare/contrast their results with other students' work, and complete a worksheet.
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Creating an Enzyme-Substrate Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the reaction rates of an enzyme-mediated reaction through experimentation. In small groups, they use everyday objects to demonstrate the effects of environmental variables on enzyme function. Students graph and...
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Race the Track! Design Challenge

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students focus on a force and motion problem, explore it, reflect on it and apply it while completing experiments.  In this motion lesson, students experiment with force and motion by creating a track for testing cars.  
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Soil pH & Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the pH of the soil in which different plants grow. They design and carry out an experiment to determine the factors that affect the growth of a population of plants, identifying and controlling major variables...
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Gravity Gets You Down

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design an experiment to investigate how objects with different masses fall. In this physics lesson, students predict how these objects will fall in a vacuum tube. They write a report explaining experimental results and conclusion.
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What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
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Cooking Up the Scientific Method

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the different steps of the scientific method. In this life science lesson, 1st graders apply this method when conducting a series of hands-on activities. They collect data and write observations in their journals.
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A Constructivist Version of the Snail & Elodea Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explain the importance of having a control when setting up an experiment.
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How Do We Use Scientific Inquiry To Solve the World's Problems?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine how a scientific investigation is performed. They read and discuss examples of various scientific experiments, design an experiment involving fast growing plants, and create graphs and charts to present their...
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The Importance of Tropisms

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate plant tropisms using the scientific method. In this life science instructional activity, students learn about tropisms and test the response of corn seedlings to gravity. Response questions, extensions,...
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Using Thin Layer Chromatography To Identify amino Acids In Solution

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students will work in groups to design and conduct an experiment to identify amino acids found in an unknown solution. This lesson is taught in three sections: (1) Introduction to chromatography (2) Experimental design session (3)...
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Fizzy Pop

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and identify variables that affect the rate of a chemical change using Alka-Seltzer, water, ice, and hot water. They time how long each variable takes to pop the canister into the air, and record the results on a...