Virginia Department of Education
Modeling the Big Bang Theory
Young astronomers learn about the Big Bang Theory and redshift through a hands-on activity in the last installment of a three-part series. Participants draw dots on balloons and then inflate them to model how galaxies moved farther apart...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
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Conversions: Metrics Made Easy
Students convert standard units of measurement to metric units using tape measures, meter sticks, rulers, and online conversion calculators.
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Math is Everywhere: Part 2
Second graders identify shapes and measurements in everyday life. In this measurement lesson, 2nd graders locate rectangles in their classroom and use standard and nonstandard forms to measure them. Students view a video clip...
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Attributes of Accuracy
Students explain necessity in using accurate instruments when measuring, and how measurements can be checked for accuracy. They make a six-inch ruler, design, test, and evaluate a system to measure work, and produce a table and graph to...
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Any Nook or Cranny
Students create a reading nook. In this measurement lesson, students find a spot in the classroom to turn into a reading nook. They need to measure how much space they need to fit students and supplies into their nook.
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Circumference and Area of a Circle
Students investigate the area and circumference of a circle. In this geometry lesson, students estimate and measure the radius, diameter and circumference of a circle. This assignment has an online part that is interactive.
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Ice is N"ICE"!!
Students observe and describe, both orally and in writing. the different forms of water on the surface of the Earth and measure the approximate size of an iceberg. They also estimate and measure the amount of ice that floats above the...
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Ramp Builder
Young scholars plan and build a ramp designed for maximum distance a car can travel. In this physics and data collection math lesson, students work in groups to design a ramp using various household materials. Young scholars test small...
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Create your own thermometer
Students participate in an activity where they build a calibrated thermometer. In this thermometer lesson students complete this activity and take notes.
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Measurement: When Degrees Matter
Eighth graders record the temperature change of the beakers. In this general science lesson plan, 8th graders create their own data table for recording observations. They discuss experimental results and cite real life applications.
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Perimeter
Learners use their hands, feet, computer, and rulers to measure the perimeter of objects. For this measurement lesson plan, students measure objects around the room and computer generated shapes.
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Leaping Lemurs! How far can you jump?
Students watch a segment of the PBS video which show the lemurs' ability to jump. In pairs, students collect measurement data involving each other's length of a standard step, a standing broad jump, and a long jump. They record their...
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Floating Pencil
Students discover how salt water makes a pencil float better than freshwater by measuring and comparing the lengths of the portion of the pencil that floats above the water surface. They then determine if an unknown water sample is...
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Growing and Graphing
Pupils visit a 2nd and a 4th grade class to measure the heights of older students using large building blocks as a non-standard unit of measure. They can also measure adults in the school community. Results are displayed in...
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Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Students design, build, and test their own ramps. They are introduced to a variety of materials and explore putting them together. Students engage in an inquiry-based learning experience to reinforce math, science, and technology...
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Discovering Pi
Students develop a formula that describes the functional relationship of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Working with a partner, they measure the diameter and circumference of circular objects in order to discover the...
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Strong as Newspaper
Students explore architecture. In this science lesson, students build a structure from newspaper. Students place weight on the structure to measure how strong the structure is.
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Celsius or Fahrenheit?
Second graders create a thermometer. In this Celsius or Fahrenheit lesson plan, 2nd graders create an individual thermometer to use for measuring the temperature. Students convert the outside temperature.
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Prey or Pray? Could YOU Escape a Cheetah?
Tenth graders estimate the size of an adult cheetah by research and measurement of a picture. They determine the approximate distance and speed of the cheetah from a filmed chase and compare that to their own running speed.
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Navy Sail Design
High schoolers use the Pythagorean Theorem to explore sailboat design. In this Pythagorean Theorem lesson plan, two sides of a triangular sail are measured, and the theorem is used to calculate the third side. A worksheet, bulletin board...
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Bounce Back Ball
Fifth graders work in teams of four to measure the rebound heights of a tennis ball dropped from four different heights. They investigate with the bouncing balls to measure changes in the type of energy they possess.
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One Square Meter
Students explore the concept of a quadrat study. Students select and investigate a site and conduct a quadrat survey. They take measurements, observe the area and analyze their findings.
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Seismology in the Classroom
Students work together to use a sample seismograph. They role play the position of an engineering firm that is to analyze the machine. They discover how engineers develop new machines to take measurements.