Curated OER
Evaporation Inquiry
The evaporation of water and what happens to it as it travels through the water cycle are the focuses of this lesson plan. The evaporation of water seems like a "magical" process to people of all ages. This lesson plan takes away the...
Curated OER
Macromolecule Lab
During a macromolecule lab, young chemists perform multiple tests, including iodine starch tests, to determine if eight mystery foods contain lipids, sugars, or starches.
PHET
Planet Designer: Kelvin Climb
It's time to get those creative juices flowing! This second instructional activity in a series of five continues allowing pupils to design their own planets. It the same format as the first, but, this time, allows students to alter...
Curated OER
Lost on Everest
What would it be like to be stranded on Mount Everest? Curious learners view a video clip, test common fabrics to see how they stand up to cold, and develop/answer discussion questions.
Serendip
Evolution and Adaptations
Survival of the fittest isn't just for the movies! A five-part lesson explores several different species with known adaptations and analyzes them for their survival strategies. Using both video and research data, scholars draw...
Curated OER
Twirly Whirly Milk
Student observe the effect soap (or detergent) has on the movement of food color in milk. Pupils observe the properties of solids and liquids while making butter. They read a poem, Shaking, and listen for ryhming words. Studdents...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Yin and Yang of Photosynthesis: Day vs. Night
Floating fragments of elodea can grow even without roots. Young scientists use eldoea plants to observe the oxygen production from photosynthesis. They study the difference between having access to high amounts of light and low amounts...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Consumer Products
Students recognize different consumer products, found in and around the home, that have reactive or denaturing properties when used together. They explore chemical and physical properties of each product by identifying chemical formulas...
Curated OER
Designer Colors, an Inquiry Approach to Flame Testing
Students investigate the spectroscopic colors unique to elements, and to use this information to create a specific color. They follow a detailed schematic to produce a spectroscpoe to be used in the testing.
Curated OER
Sound Busters
Fourth graders engage in a study of sound pollution at their school. After a class discussion on what noise pollution is, learners are asked if they think there are areas of their school or community where noise pollution is a problem....
Mascil Project
Epidemics: Modelling with Mathematics
The Black Death epidemic is responsible for more than one million deaths in the United Kingdom. An inquiry-based activity has young scholars explore the rate of disease spread. They then analyze graphs showing data from epidemics such as...
Global Change
Impact of Climate Change on the Desert Pupfish
A fish that lives in the desert? You and your class can meet the desert pupfish as they examine its habitat, the role humans play in diminishing water supplies, and how climate change might impact this fishy friend. There are four short...
Curated OER
Mixtures
Students observe that movement of a solute in the solvent increases the rate of dissolution. They demonstrate that when the solute is broken into smaller pieces it dissolves faster.
Curated OER
Scientific Method
Students explore the scientific method. In this scientific method lesson, students use information gathered from a "Seed Dispersal" lab done previously to complete a worksheet listing the steps of the scientific method.
Curated OER
Use Scientific Method to Solve Problems
Students are given a set problem, they use the scientific method to solve the problem using all steps of the scientific research. Students list the steps of the scientific method used in solving a problem. They are given a selected...
Curated OER
Towel Testing
Students examine how to design and implement experiments. In this paper towel experiment activity students test the strength of paper towels.
Curated OER
Who Turned the Lights Out?
Students discover the life cycle of butterfly by observing its growth from egg to caterpillar and the formation of its chrysalis. Students conduct an experiment in which they design housing for the chrysalises which are either in full...
Curated OER
Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind
Students are introduced to the concepts involved in technological designs. In groups, they design and build a technology related item using research to backup why they have chosen that specific design. They experiment by varying...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Heat Loss and Insulation
Learners design an experiment to test the problem of the porridge in Baby Bear's bowl as being just right while the other porridge was either too hot or too cold. They explain the steps of their experiment and record their observations...
Curated OER
Pendulum Patterns
Pupils identify the variables involved in the motion of a pendulum. In groups, they research how each different variable is related to the energy the pendulum produces. They share their results with the class and compare them with...
Curated OER
Succession and Experimental Process
Students describe the roles of controlled, manipulated and responding variables in scientific research. They also identify biotic and abiotic interactions affecting the makeup of a plant community.
Curated OER
Munching Mice
Students examine different variables and their effects on weight gain in mice. They consider the validity of relating the results in mice to humans.Finally, they discuss the ethics of using animals in experiments.
Curated OER
Investigating the Compost
Students are introduced to the concept of biodegradability. In groups, they use the internet to research the types of materials that affect the process. They collect materials from their local community and develop an experiment to test...
Curated OER
MAKE IT FLY
Students utilize the process of scientific inquiry and technological design to explain thrust, weight, lift and drag in flight. They design an "airplane" to test the "mechanics" of flight. In addition, they brainstorm and sketch a design...