Curated OER
Cold, Clouds, and Snowflakes
Students explore satellite data and graphing. In this weather data analysis math and science lesson plan, students analyze NASA satellite data to draw conclusions about geographical areas where precipitation might have happened. Students...
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Mystery Eggs
Students investigate the properties of plastic eggs filled with solids, liquids, and gases and use these observations to hypothesize whether a chicken egg is hard-boiled or raw.
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It's a Matter of Space
Students explore matter. In this physical science lesson, students role play the 3 states of matter forming "liquid" molecules and "solid" molecules with teammates. Students perform an experiment in which the result illustrates that two...
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Changes In Matter, "The Big Chill"
Third graders investigate why ice cream does not go through any chemical changes when it is exposed to physical changes. They describe the three states of matter in either written or verbal form. Then students experiment with ice cream...
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Classifying Matter
Second graders conduct investigations to explore matter. In this states of matter lesson, 2nd graders complete four activities to analyze the three states of matter. Students analyze the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Students...
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Matter Matters: Solids, Liquids and Gases
Scientists participate in a variety of hands-on experiments in this ten-day unit on the three states of matter. Lessons incorporate literature, a-v materials, and poetry to help young scholars differentiate between solids, liquids and...
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What State Are You?
Students identify three states of matter and recognize plasma as fourth state. They provide examples of matter that are classified in particular state and identify properties of each state of matter.
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What's The Scoop?
Students explore the properties of matter. In this cross curriculum three states of matter science lesson, students listen to the poem "Eighteen Flavors" by Shel Silverstein, and predict what will happen if listed ingredients are...
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The Three States of Matter: Energy Matters
Students examine the states of matter; solids, liquids and gases. They explain how the states of matter change from one to another.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Making a Liquid Crystal Thermometer
Introduce your classes to a fourth state of matter! Liquid crystals have a colorful sheen that changes based on different physical factors. Learners use this information to create a liquid crystal thermometer where the color of the...
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Do Touch!
Students explore the sense of touch. They investigate unknown solids using the sense of touch. Pupils use their senses of touch to match feely gloves. Students explore body parts, by tracing their hands and feet on paper. They create a...
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The Colonization of the United States
Bring the Age of Exploration into the 21st century with this ancestry activity! Learners get a chance to explore the complex genealogy of the Spanish settlers through watching two video clips (approximately five minutes each) featuring...
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Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.
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Cloud in a bag
Students relate the states of matter and clouds. In this environment lesson, students create a chart of information they know about clouds. Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for...
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Science: The States of Matter
Third graders conduct experiments in matter to create chemical changes resulting in gases. By mixing solids and liquids, they create a chemical reaction and capture the gas in balloons. After observing the balloons fill with carbon...
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Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Students explore solids, liquids, and gasses and categorize and describe the three states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students categorize items as solid, liquid, or gas based on the definitions given by the teacher. Students...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
What is the Water Cycle? Activity A
Hydrologists create a concept map about how water is used and a sentence strip defining water and describing its unique properties. Small groups work together to fill a small milk carton and compute the mass of water inside. The next...
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Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases
Young scholars participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space. In this matter instructional activity, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Young...
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Non-Newtonian Fluids
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great lesson to...
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What's the MATTER in our School?
While working in small groups, students use a digital camera to take pictures of various states of matter around the school grounds. Then they download the images onto the computer. The students then have to type or list the three states...
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Mixing It Up!
Third graders identify the different states of matter. In this science instructional activity, 3rd graders describe the different components of solutions and mixtures. They create emulsions, foams and suspensions in the lab.
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Exploring Phases of Matter
Students discuss and experiment with the phases of water. In this phases of matter lesson, students recognize the different states of matter. Students measure and record changes and understand when the state changes.
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Strange States of Matter
Fourth graders explore objects that do not fit into the categories given by three states of matter. They explore why an object doesn't fit perfectly into one of the three categories. Students observe the properties of Oobleck. They...
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Changing States of Matter - Making Ice Cream
Students make ice cream as a result of viewing changes of states of matter. In this matter lesson plan, students learn how heating and cooling can effect a state of matter to change.