Curated OER
How Well Will I Eat This Week?
Eighth graders develop a healthy menu for the coming week using Palm technology to develop healthy eating habits. They develop a spreadsheet for the seven days and for each menu using the Palm.
Curated OER
Floodplains in the field (with GIS)
Students measure a topographic and geologic cross-section across a floodplain by simple surveying and auguring techniques. They consider the spatial context of the field observations, use GPS measurements, and desktop GIS analyses.
Curated OER
Somthing's Fishy
Students, using drawing tools on the computer, or with paper and pencil, diagram and label a fish.
Curated OER
Insulation and Buoyancy
Pupils predict whether their hands be warmer in ice water with or without a blubber mitten. They construct a blubber mitten using plastic, Crisco and compare their results with a control group. They observe how this affects buoyancy too.
Curated OER
Following the Stock Market With a Palm
Students research and explore the stock market. They research a three-year history of stocks, develop a group and individual spreadsheets, and follow their stocks and prices for a ten-day period, graphing the results.
Curated OER
Testing Soils for Garden Planting
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
Curated OER
Underground Railroad
Pupils research the underground railroad and create a journal as if you were either a slave running away or the "railroad operator". They then draw a map detailing the escape routes and stops of African-American slaves on the underground...
Curated OER
How Much Does a Bear Weigh?
Students estimate how many children in their class it would take to equal the mass of one adult bear. They then weigh and record their measurement on a chart to check their estimate.
Curated OER
Polar Bear Cubs and ME
Students visit the following web site to find out the birth weights and lengths of polar bear cubs- Ask Jeeves for Kids. They then enter the information found at this site relating to the birth length and weight of polar bear cubs into a...
Curated OER
Contrast- Printmaking- The Fin Art of Science
Students explore the art of printmaking. They discuss relief prints and the art of fish printing (Gyotaku). They view examples of the artwork of Gyotaku and also observe the various characteristics of different species of fish. Finally...
Curated OER
Local and Global Impacts
Students conduct an interview with Dr. Hajo Eicken to discuss local and global impacts. They hold an audio conference to ask about characteristics of the Arctic environment, climate, climate change, the greenhouse effect and global...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Teaching the Scientific Method With Paper Rockets
This lesson will introduce your students to the scientific method using a fun, hands-on activity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Scientific Methods: Using "Awakenings" to Dispel Misconceptions
An activity where students watch the movie "Awakenings" starring Robin Williams. The purpose of the lesson is for students to record on a tally sheet each time they notice a step in the scientific method being used. They will become...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Scientific Method Lab Using Bubble Gum
For this activity, students apply the scientific method while doing an experiment that involves the variables of bubble gum. They will investigate the size of bubbles that can be blown with two different types of bubble gum, and the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Consumer Testing and the Scientific Method
Using paper towels, introduce a basic approach to determine which type of paper towel is the most absorbent using the scientific method. Students learn to evaluate properties of paper towels: rate of absorbency, ability to use a wet...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mystery Box Scientific Method Inquiry Lab
In this activity, students will use their senses to form hypotheses from observations. They will develop methods of collecting data, other than visual, by trying to determine the contents of several small boxes and should be able to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Scientific Method and Variables
For this activity, students are instructed to build a tower using kitchen sponges and toothpicks. They draw their tower in detail, then deconstruct it. Next they build it again using the drawing, but must change one variable, e.g., use a...
University of Washington
Genome Sciences Education Outreach: Genetics of Taste (High School Level) [Pdf]
Multi-activity lesson plan in which students will use the scientific method to examine human variation in the ability to taste different substances.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Egg Drop Activity to Promote Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills
In this multi-lesson hands-on inquiry activity, students will develop their critical thinking skills by designing and constructing an apparatus that will permit an egg to survive a nine foot fall. Given limited materials, they will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Melting Ice Cubes
This activity helps students understand how the melting of ice cubes floating in water is influenced by the salinity of the water. It will introduce the concept of density and density driven currents and provide practice in using the...
Chemistry Collective
Chem Collective: Mixed Reception
Participate in the investigation of a virtual crime scene using chemistry concepts to solve a mysterious death. The 40-50 minute activity can be used as a classroom lab or as a homework assignment. Additionally, teachers may request a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: You Are a Scientist
Learners will practice the scientific method as they observe nature and ask questions about it.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sampling Arthropod Diversity of a Schoolyard
Students will practice the steps in the scientific method in this activity where they design and carry out an investigation into arthropods in the schoolyard.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Design an Experiment Testable on 50 People Dealing With Your 5 Senses
Pupils design an investigation about one of the five senses using the process of the scientific method.