Curated OER
Why did the can crush?
Students watch a demonstration to ascertain why a soda can crushed. They make observations and hypothesize about why a soda can crushed and relate the difference in pressure to its affect on objects around us (soda can). Explanation is...
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Water and Ice
Students examine water. In this chemistry lesson, student examine the physical properties of water and how it changes from a liquid to a solid or a gas. This lesson contains links to a second and third complimentary lesson on...
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Heat Energy- Temperature
Second graders investigate the meaning of temperature. They determine what happens to a thermometer when the temperature rises or falls. They place thermometers in different classroom locations in order to compare the temperature in a...
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Guess What?!
Students explore how scientists work. In this scientific method lesson, students use their senses to identify objects they cannot see. Students are asked to think like scientists and make observations, comparisons, and interferences, as...
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Water Cycle Stories
Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson plan, 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...
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What Boat Designs Float the Best?
Fifth graders investigate buoyancy by conducting a science experiment. In this water properties lesson plan, 5th graders predict which of their different paper boat designs will float for the longest period. Students conduct...
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Ignoring Friction - Not This Time!
Students discover the factors affect friction. Students, working in lab pairs, complete various experiments in order to discover what factors effect the amount of frictional force a block has as it is pulled across different surfaces.
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Making New Electricity
Students investigate the concepts of energy conversion and conservation. They research the history of energy conversions into electrical energy. They design experiments in order to replicate a conversion of energy into electricity.
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Molar Ratio
Students conduct an experiment in which they react sodium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid to determine the molar ration between the two reactants. Students must write correct formula and a balanced chemical equation and explain how...
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Light Travels As A Game
High schoolers identify ways that light can travel and why. In groups, they develop an experiment to show that light can travel because it is a form of energy. They use this information and apply it to other forms of energy to end the...
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Discovering the Structure of the Atom
Students investigate atomic and nuclear structure of matter by researching historical atomic theories. Students examine Rutherford's studies and discover that many scientific conclusions change over time as new data is collected.
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Forest Decomposition
Students explore decomposition. Students define and describe components of the decomposition process. Students make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about the results...
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SAFETY KNOWLEDGE BASE CHANGES
Students research and formulate a hypothesis for research to correlate changing safety regulations in regards to personal and environmental safety polices for storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, risk involved in hazardous...
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Properties of Magnetic Forces
Students explore what a magnetic force is and what kinds of objects are attracted to a magnet. They use a magnet to sort objects taht are and are not attracted to a magnet. Students then explain why the objects were or were not...
Michigan Sea Grant
Food Chains and Webs
Starting with a simple food chain, young scientists interpret the difference and interrelatedness between herbivores, carnivores and producers. They answer questions related to cause and effect of food chain disruptions, including the...
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Chemistry: Plastic Milk
Young scholars observe a basic chemical reaction as vinegar is mixed with skim milk and microwaved. First, they listen to the teacher read, "Little Miss Muffet," and discover the meaning of curds and whey. While the experiment have an...
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Predicting Temperature: An Internet/Excel Learning Experience
Third graders use the Internet (www.weather.com) to find the high temperature for our locale and the high temperature for another city around the world. They keep track of the temperature in these two locations for 10 days.
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The Elements
Fifth graders explore the differences between elements. In this elements and atoms lesson students complete an activity that shows how chemicals react to a flame test.
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Analyzing the Relationship between Snowpack and River Flow
Students use the Internet to research current and past snowpack levels and river gauging station readings. They determine the relationship between snowpack and river flow. They predict future river flow.
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Germs and Your Body
Students study germs and ways your body fights against disease. For this germs lesson students complete an activity that demonstrates where germs can get into your body.
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The Shadow Knows - Creating Shadows
Young learners recognize a shadow and witness how shadows occur when light is blocked. They access streamed video, standard video, and websites in order to engage in their study of how light is naturally blocked to create shadows. An...
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Urban Heat Islands: An Introduction to Energy Transfer and Transformation
Elementary school physical scientists explore kinetic mechanical energy by dropping a golf ball on different surfaces. They discuss how human made materials might react to light differently from nature made materials. This lesson plan...
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Series or Parallel?
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
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Up and Atom
"Up and Atom" is a mini-unit introducing middle-schoolers to the wonders of elements. Participants draw atom models, examine the periodic table, compare samples of metals to nonmetals, identify unknown elements, and more! The beginning...