Urbana School District
Magnetism
The compass was first used in 206 B.C., but we didn't discover magnetic poles until 1263 A.D. Presentation begins with the history of magnetism before continuing on to magnetic fields, magnetic forces, electromagnets, currents,...
Space Awareness
Water is a Heat Sink
One of the key objectives of Europe's Copernicus Earth program is to monitor the temperatures of the oceans and seas on Earth. Young scholars learn the effects of different heat capacities through two experiments. These experiments...
Cornell University
LEDs Rainbow Connection
View LED lights through the eyes of a scientist. Young scholars learn to view light as a wave frequency and connect various frequencies to different colors on the light spectrum. A lab activity asks groups to measure the frequency of...
Cornell University
Light Waves: Grades 6-8
Explore the behavior of light with different materials. Collaborative groups determine whether certain materials absorb, reflect, diffract, or transmit light waves. They then measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection.
Curated OER
Structure of the Atom
In this atom instructional activity, students review the structure of an atom. Students also explore radioactive elements and quarks. This instructional activity has 10 fill in the blank, 6 true or false, 1 short answer, and 3 multiple...
Curated OER
How Do We Know?
High schoolers investigate the history of astronomy and how the study of constellations has evolved since the dawn of ancient civilization. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The teacher uses demonstrations to model how...
Curated OER
How Do We Know...?
High schoolers identify and explain how various inventions and astronomers have improved our appreciation of the universe. Students identify at least two constellations in the sky and discuss how they were used in ancient times to tell...
Curated OER
Atoms Crossword Puzzle
In this atoms crossword puzzle, students read 15 questions about atoms and fit the answers into a crossword. This difficult puzzle has no word bank.
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Genetics 4 Mutations
Students identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes. They illustrate a chromosomal mutation such as duplication, deletion, inversion, and translocation.
Curated OER
Measuring Absolute Time
In this absolute time worksheet, learners answer eleven questions about ways to measure the age of fossils. They define half-life, answer questions about radioactive dating, tree rings and varves.
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Heat Transfer
Students examine heat transfer using energy efficient houses. In this heat transfer lesson plan students calculate the heat that is transferred between a system and its surroundings.
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Data Analysis of Ground Level Ozone
Sixth graders construct and interpret graphs from ozone data collected in Phoenix area. Can be adapted to other areas.
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Energy: Light -- Spinning Color Wheel
Second graders make spinning color wheels to determine how energy effects what colors look like. They paint or color a color wheel with the seven colors of the spectrum. Next, the spin the wheel to determine what happens. In order to...
Curated OER
Chemistry 115 Practice Exam 3
Radioactive decay, pH, properties of elements, organic compounds, and stoichiometry are all touched upon through this practice chemistry exam. It always helps learners to take a practice test in preparation for the actual exam. This...
Curated OER
HABITAT for the other 90%
Learners examine the connection between the habitat needs of endemic species to the habitat needs of humans. In this habitat lesson students research the habitat requirements of a given family then develop an idea to improve the habitat...
Curated OER
Nuclear Energy - Is it a Friend or Foe?
You can provide your students with content knowledge and hone critical thinking skills with these timely lesson plans on nuclear energy.
Curated OER
What is a greenhouse?
Students experiment to gain understanding of how a greenhouse retains heat. In this greenhouse instructional activity, students work with soda bottles and simulate a greenhouse. Students compare data from a vented and intact bottle....
Curated OER
Greenhouse Effect: A Computer Simulation
Students complete an online simulation of the greenhouse effect. In this lesson on the greenhouse effect, students use a website, similar to a webquest, to simulate and answer questions on how the greenhouse effect works. This lesson is...
Curated OER
Reading Satellite Images
Students analyze satellite images. In this astronomy lesson, students examine 3 satellite images in order to understand how satellite images are taken and what they can teach scientists.
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Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab
Students explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson plan, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Students utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and...
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The Spectrum of a Star
Tenth graders identify stars based on their line spectra. In this astronomy lesson, 10th graders analyze spectrograph and determine the elements present in the star. They explain the relationship between temperature and star classes.
Curated OER
Topic Sentences
Students rearrange three groups of sentences within three paragraphs in numerical order. In this topic sentences worksheet, students write a topic sentence for three already formed paragraphs and write three original topic sentences for...
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Lights Light Up My Life
Students conduct an investigation. In this energy conservation lesson, students observe and make predictions about fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs. Working in groups, students conduct an investigation to compare the two light...
Curated OER
Evolution
In this evolution activity learners complete a crossword puzzle by answering questions about the environment, evolution and populations.