Students brainstorm the characteristics of winter. Using an email program, they share their characteristics of winter with those in another part of the country. They compare and contrast each letter they receive with their own criteria...

Fifth graders experimentally determine the relationship of friction to the functioning of machines. They demonstrate that rollers can decrease frictional force and increase speed and research to discover other ways that friction can be...

Students investigate why a balloon flies in one direction as air escapes in the opposite direction, which helps them understand the nature of rockets and fireworks. Individually and in teams, students conduct research to create a...

Students compare and contrast the properties of substances and mixtures. For this chemistry lesson, students simulate spontaneous mixing by performing a short class activity. They differentiate heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures.

Eighth graders measure temperature, wind speed and pressure using Skymaster SM-28. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders collect data and record observations taken from outdoors. They explain why numerical values are different in...

Fourth graders draw a magic mask with special powers based on one aspect of health. They write 1-2 paragraphs descibing the mask's special powers. Then they scan the images using a computer software program and write a new paragraph on...

Young scholars examine the types of adaptations that animals use to survive. They research the animals and report their findings to the class.

High schoolers work in cooperative groups to research life in a decade of the 20th century. Each group member writes a 7-10 page paper highlighting the social, political and cultural events and the group presents a Powerpoint...

Fifth graders work in cooperative groups to research an assigned land biome using various sources. Groups create either a book or a PowerPoint presentation of their assigned land biome.

First graders study, observe, and use a simple machine. They study necessary safety and review posted safety rules related to using a machine and identify strategies for reporting any accidents or injuries.

Fourth graders investigate how weather influences shelter choices. They explore the concept of insulation and discuss some traditional Native American shelters. They discuss the shelters used by the Okanogan people during the various...

Discusses the many types of media technology that scientists have available today to communicate the results of their research. These include social media tools, educational web pages, videos, virtual worlds, and podcasts. Many examples...

For this activity, students examine how thermometers are calibrated. They develop an understanding of the importance of having standard measurement tools for accuracy in scientific research.

Middle schoolers read about six important discoveries in microbiology and put them on a timeline. They develop an understanding of how these discoveries connect to the invention of new scientific tools and technology. The lesson plan and...

Explore how the new technology of PET (positron emission tomography) imaging has given researchers a tool to look inside the brain. Investigate uses of this technology in brain research and list ideas for future uses of PET scans.

This site offers a wealth of online textbook-related materials that encourage the discovery of science in the world around us. Enter the site to access material on specific topics. Each section contains reading material (complete with...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Science can be "basic" or "applied." The goal of basic science is to understand how things work. Basic science is the source of most scientific theories. Applied...

Although he didn't start studying physics until he retired from the clock-making business at age 30, French native Jean Peltier made immense contributions to science that still reverberate today. Even with the primitive tools available...

In this lesson plan learners learn how to use a thermometer and compare changes in temperature using water in the fridge and water in the freezer. Helps students create charts to analyze data.

This project is a series of interrelated modules designed to introduce the student to modern biological techniques in the area of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological...

This unit allows young scholars to research some common herbal supplements to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the herb. Students will compare the herbal supplements to pharmaceutical medicines to judge which is the better...

In the following lesson students will be introduced to general and specialized lab equipment.