Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Electric Fields from Point Charges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine electric fields using viewers to discover the direction of positive charges and the location of the field's strength. They experiment with positive, negative, like and opposite charges. Students also describe how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Ice Cream

For Teachers 1st
First graders create ice cream in class.  In this matter lesson, 1st graders discover solids, liquids and gases and the properties of each.  Students produce a batch of ice cream in class using household items.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solids, Liquids and Gases

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are introduced to the various states of matter. After watching a video, they discover how to compare the three states using its shape and volume. In groups, they participate in an experiment with solids, liquids and gases and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oobleck

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore "matter." In this literacy and three states of matter lesson, students listen to Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, then work in groups to explore "oobleck" (cornstarch and water mixture) with their five senses....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sweet Twinkies, Density and Sugar Chomping Yeast: A Look at Physical and Chemical Reactions in the Kitchen

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate matter. In this physical science lesson plan, students will learn about matter, physical states, and reactions. There are a series of four lab activities that will be conducted.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Creation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the properties of matter. In this lesson about matter, students will do a series of experiments to enable them to understand about creation of the universe. In these some of the experiments students will makes stars,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Float or Not to Float, That is the Question?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders develop operational definition of density, do computations using density equation, categorize pieces of matter as being able to float on water or not, based on density, explain why some objects sink or float based on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixing It Up!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify the different states of matter. In this science lesson, 3rd graders describe the different components of solutions and mixtures. They create emulsions, foams and suspensions in the lab.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Transformations

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners differentiate the different phases of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students conduct several hands-on exercises to discover how matter transforms when mixed together. They identify the different stages in the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freeze Pops

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students experience problem-based learning as they use prior knowledge of the states of matter to keep a frozen juice bar from melting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Conservation Of Mass (The Mass Of Gas)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students gain an understanding of matter in all of its phases. In this science lesson plan, students further their knowledge of the laws of conservation of mass, the loss in mass can be accounted for, when the gas is allowed to escape...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud in a bag

For Teachers K
Students relate the states of matter and clouds.  In this environment activity, students create a chart of information they know about clouds.  Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gas Laws and Alka-Seltzer Rockets

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the Ideal Gas Law. In this three states of matter lesson plan, students create Alka-Seltzer rockets using film canisters. Students record observations and data according to the scientific method and explain the gas...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students perform experiments in pairs to visualize the changes in water during freezing and melting. In this properties of water lesson plan, students use their senses and inquiry tools to understand the changes in state of water....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adhesives: Measuring Stickiness

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners test the stickiness of natural substances. For this adhesion as a property of matter lesson, students build a tool to test the adhesion of natural "glues" such as honey, peanut butter, flour and water paste, and jelly. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oobleck!

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners use Oobleck to investigate the properties of colloids. In this Oobleck and colloid lesson, students listen to the beginning of  Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. They experiment with Oobleck (corn starch, water, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Melting, Freezing, and More!: Phase Transitions

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to a talk on phase transitions and view three demonstrations. In this phases of matter lesson, 3rd graders complete a worksheet as they listen about phase transitions. They move through three demonstrations of phase...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymer Chemistry: More than Just Plastic

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine polymers and how they are formed.  In this chemistry lesson plan students complete their own polymer experiment then discuss what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Heat Transfer and Heat Capacity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
It's time to increase the heat! Young chemists demonstrate heat transfer and heat capacity in an activity-packed lab, showing the transitions between solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of materials. Individuals plot data as the...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

The Colligative Properties of Solutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How can you relate colligative properties of solutions to everyday situations? Pupils first discuss the concepts of density, boiling and freezing points, then demonstrate how to accurately determine the boiling and freezing point of...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Partial Pressure

For Teachers 9th - 12th
At some point, everyone has been under pressure—even Dalton! Explore Dalton's law of partial pressures with young chemists as they measure the volume of air extracted from a sample compared to its original volume. Class...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Molar Volume of a Gas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What is a chemist's favorite plant? Stoichiome Tree! Scholars produce hydrogen gas by reacting magnesium with hydrochloric acid. Then they calculate the molar volume of the gas produced before answering assessment questions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phineas Gage: “This I Believe” Venn Diagrams After Reading Strategy

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Difficulties with brain injuries still continue today. After reading Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science, class members read a series of modern personal essays about brain injuries and choose an essay to compare...