Students complete a Webquest which investigates the chemistry in items such as shampoo. They research the Internet, perform a lab experiment, and write a scientific lab report with their findings. Upon completion of the activities, the...

A color-coded periodic table identifies organic elements, major minerals, and trace elements. Oxidation states are highlighted and types of chemical bonding are annotated. The electron energy level chart is explained. Though not all of...

Fourth graders create a simple testing device and collect and observe the pollution in the air we breathe.

Students explore musical instruments and the pitches and tones they make. In this acoustical science lesson, students create their own string instruments and explore how pitch is altered.

Students demonstrate that isotopes of an element have different masses. They illustrate atomic mass and neutrons. The periodic table is examined in length. Display of a collection of atoms is surveyed.

Students study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 

High schoolers examine how to represent organic compounds three-dimensionally. They write a synthesis reaction for three demonstrations, and construct a three-dimensional structure using a molecular modeling set.

Tenth graders evaluate the physical mechanisms that cause a change in NOx emissions. In this combustion lesson, 10th graders participate in a research project. Students create a presentation of their findings. 

Students practice naming and writing formulas for simple chemicals. After a review of vocabulary, they create ion flash cards and discuss the rules for writing chemical compounds. They practice naming and writing the formulas based on...

Learners explore how to show evidence of subshells and electron filling on the visual scale. They examine subshell filling and evaluate unknowns based on the atomic emission spectrum. Students design an experiment to identify colors of...

Students observe the oil can scene with the tin man from a clip from "The Wizard of Oz" and answer the question, "What can we learn about rust from this scene?". They take 2 tubes and 2 nails, adding 1 salt packet to 2 ml of distilled...

Pupils comprehend the physical properties of pressure and Boyle's Law by designing a depth gauge. They construct a capillary depth gauge and calculate the calibrated depth marks of the capillary tube. They determine the margin of error...

Students explore the importance of water. They discuss why water is important and students design an experiment that evaluates the water quality and methods of improving water quality. Students perform testing and report their findings.

Learners predict when an object will float or sink based on comparison of density of the object to the density of the substance in which it is placed. The access a website and sketch the object in the first column of their table and then...

Eighth graders participate in several science activities to note chemical or physical changes after discussion. They understand that all matter has definite structure which determines physical and chemical properties.

Students explore properties of cans (including aluminum and steel) as they rotate through stations. They experiment with magnets, weight differences, resistance to corrosion and temperature conductivity.

Second graders examine the properties of liquids and their classifications. They compare and contrast cups of different liquids and record their findings in journals. Students observe how liquids flow at various speeds and that unlike...

Second graders identify three forms of matter- solids, liquids, and gases with 100% accuracy. They observe water evaporating from an open container and water evaporating and condensing in a closed container. The students assess that a...

Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.

Students perform a review assignment in 3 portions to review chemistry compounds, formulas, and equations. The assignment consists of several different portions that can be used as assessments. The majority of the lesson plan is composed...

Students engage in a unit plan to examine the ecological background for the Mangroves of southern Florida. They conduct research using print and computer technology sources. They use the information in a number of other extension...

Several slides compare different temperature scales. Thermal expansion, heat transfer, and Maxwell speed distribution are also explored. The last two slides seem unrelated to the topic of heat, but are easily left out of this otherwise...

Eleventh graders explore the wave and particle properties of light.

Tenth graders distinguish between chemical and physical properties and changes in matter when given specific examples. They view a video of sports activities. Students chose their favorite sport and design an experiment to improve sports...