Unit Plan
New York City Department of Education

Straw Rockets

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Scholars become rocket scientists as they take off on a journey exploring Newton's laws of motion. After learning the laws of motion, pupils design their own investigations using straw rockets. They highlight their literacy skills in a...
Unit Plan
Intel

Forensics: Get a Clue

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Old Wives' Tale or Helpful Hint?

For Students 7th - 9th
In this scientific method worksheet, students examine old wives' tales, conduct research, and design and experiment to test the tale.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yeast Cells and their Environment

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Pupils study the scientific method and explore how to design an experiment.  In this investigative lesson students explore and hypothesis an experiment then carry it out to find the results. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interdisciplinary Approach to Investigating Popcorn

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students conduct a lab experiment using the scientific method. In this interdisciplinary lesson plan, students will test the difference in popping white and yellow corn. Students will write their lab report in their science, math,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Germination

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore plants and the scientific method. In this plant growth lesson, students follow the steps in the scientific method to perform a seed germination experiment as a whole class. Students work in a group to create their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching The Scientific Method Using Adhesives

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars use the six step scientific method to experiment with the differences in adhesives. Students test for tack, shear, and peel in these activities.
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Microorganisms in Pond Water

For Teachers 8th - 12th
That is living in the water? Groups of two to three view pond water with microscopes in order to find microorganisms. They draw pictures of the ones they find in their slides.  The groups compare their drawings to pictures of common...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honesty and Ethics in the Science Lab

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete a variety of lab and discussion activities as they are introduced to ethics and honest lab practices. They perform various biology, chemistry, or physics labs which test their ethical lab practices.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Phantom of the Computer Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars calculate the power consumption of computers in school. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to determine whether the school should unplug computers at the end of the day. They collect data and report...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Digestion & Nutrition: a Case Study

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore digestion/nutrition and utilize scientific investigation skills. They complete meal logs for several days and graph their results. After analyzing their data, they write formal lab reports.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mythbusters

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders watch an episode of Mythbusters and answer questions that arise in the video about the scientific process. In this Mythbusters lesson plan, 8th graders complete a scientific investigation based on the video.
Lesson Plan
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Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)

Ocean Acidification: Whats and Hows

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Open this lesson by demonstrating the production of acidic carbon dioxide gas by activated yeast. Emerging ecologists then experiment with seashells to discover the effect of ocean acidification on shelled marine organisms. They measure...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Antibiotic Resistance

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students using the scientific method, study bacteria as a covering surface of the earth in many forms. They discover that not all bacteria is bad and introduce the topic of antibiotic resistance. Science Fair expectations are addressed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inquirer Scientific Process Module

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars investigate the attributes of scientists. In this scientific process lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe the jobs of scientists. Young scholars discuss their findings. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Farming Fantastic Friends

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders demonstrate scientific inquiry to design and perform an experiment involving Grow Creatures. They participate in a class discussion, and in small groups design an experiment that determines how to change the materials to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does a Green Plant Grow?

For Teachers K - 12th
Students of all ages can explore the question "how do seeds grow?", design an experiment to answer the question, predict the outcome of the experiment then conduct the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Water Pollution on Aquatic Organisms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate water pollution. They develop an understanding of the behavior of organisms, of the structure and properties of matter, and of natural and human induced hazards by conducting lab tests. They present their data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going the Distance

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars experiment in small groups to answer the question, "Is there a relationship between ramps and speed?" They apply a formula to calculate the speed of the cars used in the experiment, complete the associate lab report, and...
Activity
Curated OER

The Five Life Zone Research Project

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study five of the seven life zones in North America. In this journalism lesson students use the Scientific Method working in teams. They use lab equipment and technology to create a presentation on five of the seven life zones...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Variable Skies

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine factors which affect a vortex and create model tornadoes. They identify variables, pose a testable question, and perform an experiment using the scientific method. After they collect their data, students write a complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Sample Lab 2

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine each soil sample and record observations. In this biology lesson, students design an experiment to test soil flow rate. They write a lab report about the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crime Scene Investigation: Hair Analysis Lab

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students participate in a hair analysis lab. Using a digital microscope, students compare and contrast hair samples. They determine if the hair samples are human or animal. After completing lab results sheets, students share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Wood if I Could

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders investigate the process of how specific products are made from trees. For this chemistry lesson, groups of students must choose among ice cream, bubble gum, paper, toothpaste and lipstick. They research, design and...