Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sound: Are All Sounds Loud?

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore physics by utilizing education software. In this sound properties lesson plan, 1st graders discuss the different sounds associated with different materials and perform an object dropping experiment in class....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong as the Weakest Link

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students discover the types of stress that materials undergo. They examine how bridges and skyscrapers are built to withhold the tension. They create their own structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acid-Base Titration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the concentration of an unknown solution. This task assesses students' abilities to state hypothesis, develop procedures for investigation, plan for recording and organizing observations and data, collect data, create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acid Rain

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use real-time weather maps to determine the likelihood of acid rainfall in a region. Students apply their understanding of interaction between weather systems, land and air pollution, to address acid rain and the effects on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tanker Spills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating and Using Biomass Gases

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the definitions of biomas gasification and generate their own biomass gas.  In this renewable energy lesson students collect gases and roast a marshmallow. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atmospheric Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heating Crystals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the effects of heating on various crystals. They answer questions in the observation category which assess their ability to use a variety of senses to observe data in a certain way- a scientific way.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Locating Vent Fields Using CTD Data

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students describe the way hydrothermal vents work. Students work on locating vent regions through remote collection of data about water temperature and density. Comparing density and temperatures graphs, students search for indicators...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining pH

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students evaluate pH levels through a solubility experiment. In this pH levels lesson, students list characteristics of acids and bases. Students complete their own pH level experiment. Students go to the GEMS Alien Juice Bar website to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solids and Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate mixtures made of water and familiar solid materials. They observe and discuss the changes that occur immediately and set the mixtures aside for a day. Finally, students observe the mixtures, note changes, and graph...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Changes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students observe and record the changes they see when adding heat and cold to objects. In this changes lesson plan, students experiment with different objects and see if heat and cold change the makeup of the object. They then record...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooling With Sunshades

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct research in order to find the effects of properties exposed to heat and how they change temperature. They consider the effect of sunlight upon objects that are placed outside with the help of an experiment. They also...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Density - To Float or Not to Float? That is the Question!

For Teachers 8th
Students investigate how to find the density of fluids and solids using math. Students also learn how to find the density of regular and irregular shaped objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cold Fronts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine its' direction of movement, and list at least five weather conditions associated with the specific front, given animations of several atmospheric variables during a cold front passage. They list at least three weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ammonium Nitrate - Efficient Fertilizers

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students study the chemistry of ammonium nitrate and consider the advantages and disadvantages of this compound. They compare different fertilizers and calculate the molar mass and percent nitrogen in the different fertilizers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Nanometer?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop a concept of the relative size of objects in the nanoscale. They complete an internet assignment using the website,"Scaling the Universe to Your Desktop". Using analogies to common objects they get an appreciation for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemistry - Atoms and Elements

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers perform varied activities as part of a layered curriculum unit: They write and perform a skit that outlines the evolution of the model of the atom. The script is submitted to the teacher for review before performance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Periodic Table

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the metallic and nonmetallic elements on the Periodic Table. They identify the characteristics of these elements.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Limu Diversity

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore limu diversity. In this ocean ecosystem lesson, students classify limu according to its physical properties. Students work in small groups to generate scientific observations and sort limu by characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atom and Eve

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research and define an atom using a concept map. They design and create a model of an atom, labelling all the parts, and write a journal entry.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nanofibers: Why Go Small?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners explore the surface ratio of an object.  In this surface area to volume lesson students construct a data table, make calculations and create a graph. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical and Chemical Changes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete several experiments about chemical and physical changes. In this physical and chemical science lesson, 6th graders complete 6 experiments about chemical and physical changes. Students examine the processes of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Simple Viscosity Test

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experiment with the viscosity of different liquids. They use a stopwatch to time the a steel ball as it drops through different liquids.