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Rube Goldberg Project
Students apply inquiry and problem solving approaches in science. They design a device (invention) that solves a special problem.
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Suspension Bridge Construction
Learners study types, strength and construction of a variety of bridges. They build a model bridge and test the amount of weight it support.
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Biomechanics of Joints
High schoolers investigate range of motion in human joints and the mechanical devices they emulate. They construct a human arm model with three joints which emulate the wrist, elbow and shoulder.
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Technology of the Deep: Experiments with Buoyant Forces
Pupils conduct a series of experiments to study the effects of temperature and salinity on the buoyancy of an object in water. They devise ways to make floating and sinking objects neutrally buoyant.
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How Can Sounds Be Different
Second graders explore energy and motion. They investigate how sound energy moves in waves. Students explore how sounds are varied and how the instruments that make those sounds are built. They observe sounds being produced and predict...
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Solar Box Cooker
Students explore solar power. In this solar power lesson plan, students build simple solar cookers after they study convection, conduction, and radiation. Students transfer their knowledge of how the solar cooker works to climate changes...
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Simple Machines - Inclined Plane
Students learn the fundamentals and daily applications of simple machines.
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Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
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Using Chromatography to Identify Unknowns
Students are introduced to the concept of chromatography. They practice using new vocabular and observing experiments. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.
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Let the Sunshine in
Students collect and analyze data to study wavelengths of visible light. They cover Styrofoam cups with three different colors of sun filtering products and shine a lamp directly on the cups. They determine the most effective filtering...
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What things let Light Pass Through?
Second graders classify objects according to how well light can pass through them and predict how well objects will transmit light. They experiment with objects to verify predictions while collecting, recording, and interpreting data...
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Race the Track! Jump the Gap
Students record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...
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Calibrating a Roverbot
Young scholars build and program a Lego Mindstorms Roverbot to travel for a given amount of time. They gather data on time versus distance traveled to determine a calibration constant for their robot, which relates time to distance.
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Electrical Energy
Students conduct an experiment to find out how well different wires radiate heat when voltage is applied across the wire. They use the results of their experiments to consider how the gauge of the wire and the type of wire affect the...
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Astronomy
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
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Circuit Lab
Students explore the properties of electricity. This lab shows students the need for a circuit in order to have a flow of electricity. It demonstrates Ohm's law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.
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Airplanes
Fourth graders experiment with gravity and lift by building paper airplanes. In this physics lesson, 4th graders compare the falling rate of a crumpled vs. flat sheet of paper. Then after class discussion and demonstration of Bernoulli's...
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Magnets
Students investigate the magnetic attraction of different materials by observing a demonstration, and review the words "attraction" and "materials." Next they conduct exploration of a number of materials which have different properties...
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Simple Machines
Ninth graders are shown a constructed machine and they asked what it is and what it does? They are questioned on type of simple machine constructed. Students are questioned on various parts of machine. They work in groups to design...
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Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction
Students study silicon and where it comes from. In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity.
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Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
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Elements Of Biology: Evolution
Students study the theory of evolution and examine why it is so controversial. In this biology lesson students view a video on evolution, research the theory of evolution on the Internet and complete an essay.
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Planets or Not, Here We Come!
Students, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...
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Water Contamination Mapping Lab
Students are introduced briefly to the Biscayne Bay Ecosystem, observed microbe distributions and water current maps are introduced. They measure water current speeds to predict the movement of pollutants based on the type of the tidal...