Virginia Department of Education
Elements and Electron Configuration
It's electronic! Pupils uncover elements and their electron configurations as they explore mass, groupings, correct charges, and sliding theory. Young scientists learn creative ways to remember various elements and correctly...
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Lizard Lab
In this detailed and comprehensive multi-day activity, budding evolutionary biologists use real data from lizard populations in the Canary Islands to examine evolution and natural selection.
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The Nucleus
In this atoms worksheet, learners review terms associated with atoms which includes isotopes, transmutation, and radioactive decay. This worksheet has 11 short answer questions.
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Elements and Compounds
Students explain how radioactive decay occurs. For this physical science lesson, students simulate radioactive half-life through an experiment. They graph their data and share their results in class.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Splitting Atoms
In a simple activity, physical scientists model nuclear fission using a droplet of oil. This can be used alone in a unit on different types of energy, or as part of the energy conservation unit produced by the Texas State Energy...
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Radiation vs. Shielding
For this radiation worksheet, students compare the effects of shielding on radiation on known isotopes. This worksheet has 2 problems to solve.
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Plate Tectonics
Students research separate elements of the theory of Plate Tectonics, then share that information with each other, drawing conclusions from the culminated information.
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The Nucleus / Nuclear Reactions and Elementary Particles
Students describe how radioactivity relates to alpha and beta particles. Using their properties, they write a descriptive paper about the gamma rays and alpha and beta particles. They calculate q-values and the half-life of a given...
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Polishing the Petoskey
Learners polish a Petoskey stone to show how to make an attractive rock display. In this polishing rocks lesson plan, students use sand paper and polishing materials to polish a rock and remove the rock dust. This is to display a nice...
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Exponential Decay
Students study exponential decay and its application to radiocarbon dating. In this exponential decay lesson, students use candy to model the time it takes for something to decay. Students also graph the data they collect and...
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The Periodic Table
In this science worksheet, students use a periodic table to complete the first four rows of a chart. Students use the Internet or research books to complete the last column.
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Enhancing Students' Problem-Solving Abilities
Students analyze the results of a hypothetical cloning experiment using a restriction endonuclease map obtained from an on-line data source. They answer the question, "How can I tell if the DNA I have obtained from this hypothetical...
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Climate Patterns across the United States
Students articulate differences between climate and weather using examples in a written statement. Using climate data from across the country, they describe climate patterns for various parts of the United States on a map. Students...
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Acid Rain
Students use real-time weather maps to determine the likelihood of acid rainfall in a region. Students apply their understanding of interaction between weather systems, land and air pollution, to address acid rain and the effects on...
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Tanker Spills
Students predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
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Rain Shadows and Sea Breezes
Students plot the average rainfall for a variety of cities in the United States. Using the map, they work together to determine patterns on which toxicants are transported through the air. They determine the impacts of various weather...
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World Wide Winds
Students recognize that global winds move in specific directions in specific latitudes and describe that in a written form. They relate the motion of the wind belts to historical navigation.
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Nuclear Power
Young scholars take on the role of members of a concerned citizens group and discuss the transportation of spent-fuel rods from a local nuclear power plant and the safety issues that surround the power plant. Students work in groups to...
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Our Future - Nuclear Power?
Learners comprehend that there are risks involved with using nuclear power. They write persuasive paragraphs for and against nuclear power. Students analyze the environmental issues and risks with nuclear power.
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How does Nuclear Fission differ from Nuclear Fusion?
Students examine concepts of nuclear chemistry. They compare and contrast the topics of nuclear fission and nuclear fision. They predict the outcome of reactions based on the types of emissions and reactants.
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Help Wanted: A Lighting Engineer For Popular Rock Group
Students are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They listen to a...
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Nuclear Chemistry: How Does It Affect Me?
Eleventh graders study the different areas of nuclear chemistry. In this energy and critical thinking instructional activity students study radiation, nuclear energy and weapons then divide into groups and create a poster.
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Ice Core Clues
Students create a PowerPoint presentation on the information they research about the ice cores and what they tell us about Earth's past. In this ice core lesson plan, students research radioactivity, air pollution, sodium, snowfall...
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Atomic Theory
In this atomic theory worksheet, students use Planck's constant, Rydberg constant, and Avogadro's number to complete 20 multiple choice questions.