National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Nanotechnology Invention and Design: Phase Changes, Energy, and Crystals
What does it take to be considered a smart material? Learners investigate the properties of Nitinol, a smart material, through a hands-on lab activity. They examine the crystal lattice structure and the conditions required for Nitinol to...
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Moebius Strips
Students make Moebius strips and use them to demonstrate the interconnectedness of an environment. They explore the natural cycles (water, oxygen/carbon dioxide, carbon, nitrogen) within the environment. They describe how the cycles are...
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Waves
An incredibly colorful PowerPoint presents all the facts and definitions about waves that you could need for beginning physical scientists. There are several useful links to online animations of wave action. This may have been produced...
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Plasma 101
Students examine the definitions and characteristics of plasma. After reading an article, they analyze new technologies to study plasma. In groups, they create a poster on how the different types of plasma work and write letters to their...
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Chemistry is Crystal Clear
Students observe crystals and their shapes and formation. In this crystal formation lesson, the teacher prepares crystal gardens for the students to observe, then the class finds examples of crystals in nature and observe a teacher...
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Water Chemistry
Young scholars engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of water chemistry. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students also consider an experiment to observe how water has the abiility to exist as three...
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What Really Matters When it Comes to Sound?
Students conduct experiments to learn about sound wave vibrations in objects and pitch. Students test how varying the volume of water in a vessel changes frequency and pitch.
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Water and Ice
Students study the liquid and solid states of water. In this water states instructional activity, students complete three experiments to study water as it cycles from a liquid state to a solid state and back. Students finish with a Venn...
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The Path of Pollution
Young scholars name and locate countries where radiation from the Chernobyl accident traveled, describe how air pollution travels from one area to another and list the travel of radiation in chronological order.
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Water and Ice
Students conduct an experiment. In this forms of water lesson, students observe ice to see what changes take place and then write in their journal about what they observed.
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The Path of Pollution
Students examine the path of pollution that was created by the Chernobyl accident. They discover how air pollution travels from one area to another and sequentially locate the countries where radiation traveled to.
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Does Size Matter?
Young scholars explore the surface area to volume ratio in cellular respiration. While participating in an interactive lab experiment, they examine proportional surface area and discuss nanotechnology. Students observe the...
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Change of State
In this change of state quiz worksheet, students complete an on-line quiz, clicking on questions and matching answers, scoring 1 point for each correct answer. A printed version is available.
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Effects and Applications of Nuclear Chemistry
In this nuclear chemistry learning exercise, students determine the biological effects and the applications of nuclear chemistry. Then students use Einstein's theory of special relativity to complete 3 problems.
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Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature
Young scholars are shown how temperature affects dissolved oxygen and they create a graph showing this relationship. They think about the adaptations of animals to live in different water temperatures. Students test four different water...
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Dissolved Oxygen Introduction
Students are shown how dissolved oxygen enters the water. They are taught the difference between a water sample that has been exposed to the air and one that has not. Students brainstorm what organisms need to survive. They use dissolved...
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Crash Test Dummies
Fifth graders are introduced to Newton's First Law of Motion. In groups, they describe the differences between balanced and unbalanced forces. They participate in experiments that demonstrate how equal and opposite forces act upon...
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Sweet Twinkies, Density and Sugar Chomping Yeast: A Look at Physical and Chemical Reactions in the Kitchen
Learners 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.
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Household Chemistry
Young scholars use indicator paper to determine if substances are acidic, basic, or neutral. They test for Ph levels in them. They investigate the effect of oxygen on darkening fruit cut and exposed to the air. They observe vitamin C as...
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Evidence of Chemical Change
In this chemical change worksheet, young scholars conduct 4 experiments set up around the room. They follow the instructions at each station for each experiment and list the physical properties and observe any changes at each station....
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Laws of Motions
Seventh graders explore the Laws of Motion. They define friction and explain the concept of inertia. Students explain what happens when a force is exerted on an object that is in equilibrium. They state the second and third laws of motion.
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Changes of State
Students examine molecules and the changes in energy of a system. In this energy systems lesson students complete a lab activity and describe changes of state.
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Earth Kids: Kindergarteners Taking Care of the Earth
Students explore a variety of ways of how to care for the environment in the nine lessons of this unit. They observe how to be responsible "Earth Kids."
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Water, Water Everywhere
Young scholars explore water. In this water cycle lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires build a terrarium models of the earth. Young scholars record their observations of the changes regarding water in...