Students examine physical change with different temperature and solvents. In this elements and compounds lesson, students conduct experiments to discover what happens to the mass of a substance when is undergoes a physical change.

Varve: a deposit of cyclical sediments that help scientists determine historical climates. Individuals analyze the topography of a region and then study varve datasets from the same area. Using this information, they determine the...

Students learn what happens when ice melts. They explore melting, and devise ways of speeding up and slowing down the melting process.

Second graders observe matter in all 3 states : liquid, solid and gas, in an ice cream soda. In teams, they are given ice and teams compete to be the first to melt their ice. Winner gets the ice cream soda. They draw examples of 3 states...

Young scholars complete activities to study the properties of solids and liquids. In this states of matter instructional activity, students investigate the melting and freezing of a range of materials in a virtual experiment. Young...

Fourth graders study evaporation and condensation as parts of the water cycle. First they determine the similarities and differences between a cup of water and an ice cube before measuring the volume of ice before melting it, and...

Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Students record the mass of the Ziploc bag and record...

First graders investigate how water can be both a liquid and a solid. They weigh popsicles and observe them as they write in their science journals. They measure the liquid as the popsicle melts and refreeze them to change them back...

Students discover where glaciers exist and how they move. In this glacier activity, students work in groups to create a glacier in a replica valley and observe its properties.

First graders investigate the different water formations by conducting an experiment.  In this water properties lesson, 1st graders examine jars filled with ice, rain water, air and snow in their class.  Students predict what...

Learners investigate water as an agent of change. They conduct an experiment involving a mound of soil, observe and record any changes that occur when ice melts on the mound of dirt, and create a drawing of the changes that take place...

Students complete activities to learn about the common land features in Alaska. For this land study lesson, students study an overhead for permafrost features. Students define ice wedge polygons, thermokarst, and pingos. Students also...

Students place themselves in the position of a water molecule, ice molecule, or steam molecule and then describe the process of changing phase.

Students work in small groups. They grab a handful of ice, and place the ice in an empty beaker of ice using a triple beam balance. Students heat up the beaker of ice over a hot plat until the ice has changed into water. They measure...

Students create a model of a glacier and observe how it moves. In this landforms lesson, students learn what a glacier is, build a model glacier and observe how it moves in a manner that more closely resembles a liquid than a solid.

Students explore permafrost.  In this 3 states of matter instructional activity, students identify characteristics of solids and liquids.  Students observe water and soil melting and freezing at various temperatures. ...

Young scholars explore the concept of erosion. In this erosion lesson, students discuss the effects of 2 classroom demonstrations that replicate coastal erosion.

Students discover how islands form, how plant and animal species get there and what the term means.  In this biomes lesson students prepare a presentation that describes the life forms and geography of an island. 

Fifth graders compare climates. In this weather lesson, 5th graders observe and record weather observations and discuss the impact of weather on people. Students also discuss the concept of global warming and determine how weather...

Learners investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Learners use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.

Getting kids thinking about climate change now, will hopefully push them into action when they become adults. Young environmentalists discuss the evidence and causes of climate change seen in the state of California. They brainstorm ways...

Fourth graders predict what happens in a teacher demonstration of a chemical change, before watching it. They observe the demonstration and list what the see on the board before determining which represent chemical change. Working at...

Students research about ways to keep food from spoiling. In this health science lesson, students design an experiment to keep the ice cubes from melting. They present their designs and results in class.

Middle schoolers summarize the steps in the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students create a skit, song or poem showing the various components of the cycle. They identify the different watersheds in their area.