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Introduction to the Scientific Method
Students designs and conduct a scientific experiment that identifies the problem, distinguishes manipulated, responding and controlled variables, collects, analyzes and communicates data, and makes valid inferences and conclusions.
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Sand Shakes & Mud Pies: Investigating Sediment
Take a field trip to a location where water and land meet to study patterns of sediment organization in wet habitats: river or ocean beaches, sand dunes, tidal marshes, the edge of a pond, or a woodland stream. Small groups collect pairs...
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Designing Experiments - Overview
Students explore the concepts that enable them to design and conduct sound scientific experiments. They critique a faulty experiment and become familiar with some of the criteria of a good experiment. They conduct their own experiment.
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The Marvels of Mud
Young scientists roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty in this three-day earth science investigation. Following the scientific method, children monitor the growth of algae in pond water samples in order to determine the role that...
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The Earth around Us: Air, Water & Soil
Students recognize that science is everywhere. In this scientific method lesson, students experiment with height and record their experiment using the scientific method. Students must identify each step of the scientific method.
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The Behavior of Ants
Students use the steps of the Scientific Method to develop and test their own ideas through experimentation with ants.
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Which Brand of Air Freshener is Most Cost Effective?
Students use scientific method to determine cost-effectiveness of air freshener, and create PowerPoint presentations to share their results.
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Use Scientific Method to Solve Problems
Students are given a set problem, they use the scientific method to solve the problem using all steps of the scientific research. Students list the steps of the scientific method used in solving a problem. They are given a selected...
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Diffusion
Students design and carry out an experiment according to the scientific method. The experiment must test the effects of time and concentration on the rate of diffusion of potassium permanganate into potato cubes. After performing the...
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What Makes a Seed Breathe Faster?
Here's a five-star lesson plan in which inquisitors conduct sophisticated experimentation with cellular respiration in plant seeds. Placing seeds in a closed system they measure the amount carbon dioxide produced and relate it to...
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Riding on a Pendulum
A comprehensive resource gets fourth grade physical scientists making observations about the period of a pendulum and then applying knowledge to a playground swing. Through seven different stations, they will record observations and...
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Catapults
Young scholars test catapults. In this physics lesson plan, student conduct scientific investigations that require them to test catapults. Students practice their problem solving skills as they employ the use of the scientific method.
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Popcorn Science
Students identify and apply the scientific method through an experiment with popcorn. Then they identify what independent, dependent, and control variables are and create a list of different variables that affect popcorn popping....
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Seed Germination
Students explore plants and the scientific method. In this plant growth instructional activity, students follow the steps in the scientific method to perform a seed germination experiment as a whole class. Students work in a group to...
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Yeast Cells and their Environment
Students study the scientific method and explore how to design an experiment. In this investigative instructional activity students explore and hypothesis an experiment then carry it out to find the results.
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Chew on This
Eighth graders explore and demonstrate the seven steps of the scientific method. They predict how much sugar is in chewing gum and test, analyze, and calculate the sugar content of gum.
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Catapults
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of a catapult and how it is used with the help of a media presentation. They use catapults in a large, open area and record the distances objects travel. Students use the scientific method...
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Unfold the Mystery of Mold
Students research the conditions in which molds thrive. They apply the scientific method to develop a hypothesis, conduct research and test results.
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The Nature and Science of Technology
Fifth graders practice using the scientific method by observing and creating mold. In this bacteria lesson, 5th graders experiment creating their own mold and fungus using petri dishes and oatmeal. Students create an information table...
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Science is Alive
Students explore the scientific method. In this science lesson, students create and conduct a science investigation for the science fair.
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Who Done It?
Students work in groups to solve various murder mysteries using DNA evidence to implicate suspects. Teams compete to solve the crimes the fastest, while using various scientific methods to accomplish their task.
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Introduction to Scientific Theory
Ninth graders explain how scientists set up investigations. In this scientific process lesson, 9th graders review the principles of the scientific method and use these skills to answer an open-ended question about how to set up a...
WindWise Education
Which Blades Are Best?
If I change the length, will they work better? After brainstorming the variables of wind turbine blade design, groups choose one variable to isolate and test. The groups then present their data to the class in order for all to have the...
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Mold Investigations
Students observe mold growth on bread. In this mold growth lesson, students place bread in various locations and in various conditions to investigate how location, moisture, temperature, and other variable impact the growth of mold on...