Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spuds in Space

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars explore the effects of velocity on an object when it collides with another object. They design and outfit a potato astronaut in a spacesuit to withstand the hazards of high velocity impacts from space debris and meteoroids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bouncing Light

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students design an experiment to investigate how light reflects. In this physics lesson, students apply the scientific method in conducting the experiment. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Exploration of Wind Energy and Wind Turbines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How is wind produced and is it a good source for energy production? Get some air moving in your class. Learners take a pre-test, watch a demonstration of how electricity can be generated by wind energy, test different turbine factors for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Extreme Environments - Who is on Top in the Food Chain?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss the design of experiments to determine how much and how fast rotifers feed and design experiments with a lab partner and in small collaborative groups. They then collect data from experiments and present results of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Aspect Ratio of Wings

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Junior engineers examine aspect ration in airplane wings. Using the length and width of two differetn wings, they calculate the aspect ratios and compare drag rankings. An engineering or space science class would benefit from this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Abiotic Limits to Purple Loosestrife Growth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate the effects of soil temperature, water availability, photo period and other variables of the growth of purple loosestrife. They observe the growing conditions of plants and alter them by adding water, isolating the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Cooker Challenge

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners use the scientific method to design a slow cooker.  In this experimental method instructional activity students measure temperatures and conversions of the solar cooker that they create.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imagers: The Adventure of Echo the Bat Number to Pictures: How Satellite Images are Created

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils examine the three primary colors of light and design a numerical code to represent those colors. They tell how satellites use numbers to create satellite images after completing a number of experimental activities.
Lesson Plan
LABScI

Photosynthesis: How Do Plants Get Energy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Examine the mechanism of photosynthesis through different light scenarios. Pupils vary the amount and type of light exposure on plant leaves in the fifth lesson plan in a 12-part series. Through observation, they determine the rate of...
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Lab 2: Nanocatalysts Clean Your Car Emissions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Surface area certainly surfaces as a variable for chemical reaction rates. Scholars perform an experiment to discover how the size of catalysts affect the rate of a chemical reaction. They record their results in tables and graphs to...
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Save the Dinosaurs with Copper and Zinc!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Create a coat of armor for dinosaur volunteers. Young scientists explore the oxidation-reduction reaction facilitated by electric current. The result of the reaction is a dinosaur coated in copper and zinc, which leads to an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE ROLE OF A CONTROL IN THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the role of controls. They discuss variables and list conditions, that if not kept the same for both flasks, could effect the outcome of the experiment. They come up with most of the following: Amount and temperature of...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

2105

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners read excerpts from Jon Scieszka's novel, 2095, prior to presenting their vision of the future in a creative project accompanied by written explanation. They design a museum exhibit which shows a scene from a science fiction book...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The "How's and Whys" of Animal Behavior

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students read examples of behaviors in various animals. They design an experimental question about the behavior. They explain if the question involves the proximate or ultimate level of causation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You SEA Walls?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how wave energy that is generated and transferred in the ocean. They explore the aspects of a wave and how its energy affects the ecology of the seashore. Students engage in an activity that uses the nature of science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Me And My Shadow

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the concept of a shadow. They design a tool to create shadows for an experiment. They make observations and record the size and shape of shadows. The lesson contains background information for the teacher to deliver...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling Hot and Cold Planets

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students, in teams, design and construct models of two planets, one hot and the other cold, using a variety of materials. They attempt to create the models out of substances that will actually show the greatest temperature differences...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravity Gets You Down

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design an experiment to investigate how objects with different masses fall. In this physics instructional activity, students predict how these objects will fall in a vacuum tube. They write a report explaining experimental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race the Track! The Time Challenge (lesson 2)

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students design a track that keeps a ball in motion for 5 seconds or longer. In this designing lesson plan, students explore force, gravity, and cause and effect when it comes to science and building before building their own track.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Farming in Space

For Teachers K - 12th
Students research, design, and run plant growth experiments online. They explore websites, design an experiment using an animation-based building block program, construct a soda bottle hydroponic production unit and a cardboard plant...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy of the Future

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine technologies that already exist and record their findings in a journal. They work with students in other countries to explore alternative energy sources They publish their designs online.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How about a Little Give and Take?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design a closed system to test the relationships between plants and animals. They monitor abiotic fluctuations within this living system by using a chemical test kit. They observe how living organisms respond to fluctuations in...