National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Size and Scale – Learning about Measurement
Can you visualize one billionth of a meter? It's not easy to understand the scale of a nanometer. Learners use a hands-on lesson to develop an understanding of the size of a nanometer in comparison to common objects. They walk away with...
Curated OER
A Comparison of Polymeric Liquids with Newtonian Liquids
Young scholars concretely illustrate and define a macromolecule, observe the unique behavior of polymers and relate to their knowledge of molecules, and use the scientific process to determine the difference between Newtonian and...
Curated OER
Lesson 5: Designing an Experiment
The intent of this activity is to introduce young scientists to the steps of the scientific method. To this end, they consider the question, "Which brand of battery lasts longest?" In this case, the experiment is carried out as a class,...
Curated OER
Go The Distance Car Construction
Students build and program a car to drive a specific challenge distance.They must at the end of the lesson, have the car that stops the closest to a challenge distance.
Curated OER
How hard is it?
Inquiry is probably one of the most fun ways kids learn. They will test the hardness of 10 different minerals in order to classify them. They rate each of the minerals from most to least hard. Note: Having real minerals for this...
EngageNY
Estimating Quantities
Apply the concept of magnitude to estimate values and compare numbers. The ninth activity of the 15-part series asks learners to write numbers to their next greatest power of 10 and then make comparisons. Scholars begin to understand the...
Virginia Department of Education
Exponents
Expand your knowledge of exponents with an activity that promotes critical thinking and comparison skills. Middle and high schoolers compare numbers written in expanded and exponential form and explain their strategies for solving...
Curated OER
Weather and Climate
It's hot today, but is that the weather or the climate? This colorful presentation isolates both concepts to allow for better understanding by covering the positioning of the planet, making comparisons of land versus water, and looking...
Curated OER
Timber Rattlesnake
A wonderful way for student to learn about snakes common to Florida. Pictures, diagrams and definitions accompany scientific details and comparisons to other snakes
Illustrative Mathematics
How Thick Is a Soda Can II?
Science, technology, and math come together in this one combination exercise. Analyzing the common soda can from both a purely mathematical perspective and a scientific angle allows for a surprisingly sophisticated comparison of...
EduGAINs
Understanding Viscosity through Investigation and Comparison of Fluids
Not all liquids are the same. Investigate the viscosity of different fluids with a series of activities designed for eighth grade science. As learners move through learning centers with different experiment setups, they determine the...
Curated OER
Radiation Comparison Before and After 9-11
Using the NASA website, class members try to determine if changes could be detected in cloud cover, temperature, and/or radiation measurements due to the lack of contrails that resulted from the halt in air traffic after the attacks of...
National Christmas Tree Association
Merry Christmas, Geraldine
If you're reading the story "Merry Christmas, Geraldine" by Holly Keller, this is a fantastic cross-curricular resource to use. Complete with activities for language arts, science, social studies, art, and math, you'll get the most out...
Intel
Energy Innovations
Collaborative groups examine the importance of energy resources on quality of life by researching different energy sources and alternative energy sources through data analysis. They make a comparison of different countries and cultures,...
Alabama Wildlife Federation
Leaf Chromatography
Pigmentation of leaves is important in plant processes. Scholars use chromatography to create a better picture of the pigmentation in an assortment of leaves. They share their results to make comparisons between different plant species.
Alabama Wildlife Federation
Leaf Creatures
The structure of a leaf reveals a lot about the plant it comes from. Young scholars collect and prepare leaves for comparison. After pressing the leaves, they identify the different parts and then use the leaves to complete an art project.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Plant Phenology Data Analysis
Studying data over time can paint a pretty interesting picture. Learners use data they collected in the previous lesson plan to compare to historical data in a similar region. They graph the data of the first bloom of a specific species...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Wet Heads
Middle schoolers apply the steps of the scientific method to an experiment. They complete an instructional activity of scientific inquiry and use a spreadsheet software to create a graph illustrating data gathered.
Curated OER
Modeling Changes to Ecosystems Pt. 2
Students explore the environment by creating a poster. In this ecosystem protection lesson, students analyze a list of vocabulary terms associated with the scientific method. Students create a poster which answers a specific question...
Curated OER
Rusted Roots
Students create a flowchart on the root cause method. In this inquiry lesson, students compare RCA and the DMAIC model with the scientific method of problem solving. They investigate a problem in school and present their findings in class.
Curated OER
Scientific Methods in Biology
In this scientific methods activity, students will review the steps necessary in testing a hypothesis including the types of reasoning and variables involved. This activity has 6 terms in a crossword puzzle and 4 fill in the blank...
Curated OER
Cookie Caper
Students determine the best chocolate chip cookie. For this comparison investigation, students create a quantitative scientific study to determine the best chocolate chip cookie using the steps of the scientific method.
IB Psychology
Key Terms Traffic Lights
How much does your class know about psychology? What about empirical evidence? If they could use some time to learn the essentials of psychology, use a quick reference sheet to note what they know before the test, after the unit, and at...
PBS
Classification
Students explore classification skills used in scientific research. They classify a variety of objects in order to compare and contrast. In addition, they analyze previously collected data in order to place items into meaningful groups.