Pingry School
Determination of the Specific Heat of an Element
Many periodic tables mention specific heat, but how do scientists determine those numbers? Scholars attempt to find the specific heat of a metallic element by using a calorimeter. Three experimental trials ensure accuracy, and analysis...
Science Matters
Under Pressure
Sometimes a little pressure isn't a bad thing! A collaborative lesson uses models to demonstrate how air pressure inflates and deflates the lungs. Participants use everyday materials to create models of the chest cavity to simulate how a...
National Park Service
Climate Science in Focus: A Streamflow River Study
Data speaks, but it's our job to determine what it's trying to say. Young scientists explore the changes in weather and climate using data from the Yosemite National Park in a six-day unit. Learners first compare weather and climate and...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: How Clean is that Water?
Young scholars examine the factors the affect water quality, and allow for animals and plants to live. They look at how engineers apply water quality information when making stream modifications in order to ensure drinking water quality....
Curated OER
soil, Water, and Plants
Students examine the relationship between water retention and plant growth by conducting two experiments. They first compare the water retention qualities of clay, sand and loam soil types. Then they use the data from the first...
Curated OER
Water, Water, Everywhere!
Students complete a WebQuest. In this water cycle activity, students investigate the cycle through a WebQuest activity. Students research the water cycle through Internet resources and create a documentary video of their process.
Curated OER
Go to the Source- Your Town's Tap Water
Students investigate their town's tap water. In this water quality activity, students complete a simple taste-testing experiment and online research to investigate tap water.
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Fourth graders explore changes in water forms. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders build a water cycle model and monitor it for 2 weeks in order to understand that water changes state as it moves through the cycle.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Terrariums
Students explore the water cycle. They build a model of the water cycle in the form of a terrarium and explain how it demonstrates the water cycle. In addition, they draw a representation of the water cycle demonstrated in the terrarium.
Curated OER
Properties of Water
Students study the three physical properties of water-solid, liquid and gas. They classify materials as solids, liquids, and gases. They define the terms solids, liquids and matter and explain that when materials are manipulated,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Muddy Water!!
Investigate water pollution. Learners start out by completing the know and want to know portions of a KWL chart on water pollution. They read a story that stimulates thinking about water pollution and view an online resource related to...
Curated OER
Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality
Students analyze water quality data from real data. In this environmental science instructional activity, students examine how salinity and dissolved oxygen affect the living organisms in the estuary. They interpret graphs to support or...
Curated OER
The Affect of Water Temperature on Living Organisms
Students examine the environmental impact of global warming. In this environmental science activity, students design and conduct an experiment about the effect of temperature on paramecia. They write a lab report about their experiment.
Curated OER
Cleaning Water: How Filters Work
Students construct their own water filter to obtain clean water. In this filtration instructional activity, students produce tainted water in order to properly filter it with filtration devices made in class.
Curated OER
How Trees Contribute to the Water Cycle
In this water cycle instructional activity, 3rd graders conduct an experiment where they observe and calculate how water transpires in different types of trees. Students engage in a class discussion and use Venn Diagrams to compare...
Curated OER
Plants and the Water Cycle
Students study the role of plants in recycling water by collecting water vapor that is emitted, or transpired, by green plant leaves. They collect and measure the water that transpires through the tiny pores of plant leaves. Afterwards,...
Curated OER
Water Conservation
Students explore types of water reserves. In this water conservation instructional activity, students brainstorm ways water are used in their homes. Students use a graduated cylinder to simulate the amount of water on Earth and the...
Curated OER
Water to the Max
Students experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure. In this experiment with the angle that yields the greatest distance of water at constant pressure lesson plan, students shoot water...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students simulate the water cycle. For this water cycle lesson, students create a model of the water cycle. Students draw the water cycle and write a paragraph explaining their drawing.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Voice Thread
Students understand the water cycle through a role playing activity. In this water cycle lesson, students become familiar with the water cycle through a play about the water cycle. Students illustrate their parts and create a VoiceThread...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
American Chemical Society
Mysterious M&M's
The first in a six-lesson mini unit, all using M&Ms® candies, this physical science activity gets kids to observe a single piece and discover what happens when it is placed in a plate of water. The activity can be used to...
American Chemical Society
From Gas to Liquid to Solid
From gas to liquid condensation to solid frost, water undergoes phase changes before young scholars' eyes! Using ice, salt, water, and a metal can, they set up an investigation that can be used in a physical science setting, or as part...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Conservation of Energy
By rolling marbles down a six-foot length of track, physical scientists determine how much energy is lost to heat. It is recommended that you opt for the foam pipe insulation track because more friction slows the marble, allowing...