Students explore why the oceans do not freeze. They explain why they think the Atlantic Ocean does not freeze. Students are given background information about what they are doing. They create a hypothesis about what they believe...

Students access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker lesson, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Students complete a worksheet on...

High schoolers solve the mystery of dead Mr. Potato Head using physics and algebra. They discuss Newton's Law of cooling as it applies to the mystery scenario involving a cooling baked potato as the "victim". They manipulate algebraic...

Learners investigate sublimation and deposition using moth balls and toilet bowl freshener. For this sublimation lesson plan, students make a water bath and use two small beakers inside 2 larger beakers with moth balls in one and toilet...

Fourth graders study about sound waves and how they behave in various media. They create a soundproofed container. They explain that velocity describes a change in distance over time.

Fourth graders collect, record, and analyze data using simple weather instruments and a variety of weather resources to investigate weather. They observe the teacher demonstrate how a rain gauge functions, record the weather for five...

In this specific heat activity, students are given examples to find the specific heats of substances and to use the specific heats to find the changes in temperatures of substances. Students solve eighteen problems using what they...

In this Kelvin scale worksheet, students read about the relationship between the Celsius scale and the Kelvin scale. They are given the equations to convert from one scale to the other. They find the equivalents for temperatures measured...

Students investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. In this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and observe...

Students construct a water filter. In this engineering lesson, students discover how to construct a water filtration system. Students work in groups to sort tools by their properties. Students analyze and construct a water filtration...

Students navigate software to help students understand the benefits of computer models.  In this computer models lesson, students use computer inquiry tools to record simulated events and how they affect objects such as houses or...

Students make their own compost in a 2-liter jug and determine the actual volume loss in the composted material over a six-month period.

Third graders perform various experiments to show the flow of energy that causes heat. In this heat lesson, 3rd graders understand how heat is transferred or trapped. Students use the scientific method and critical thinking skills to...

Students explore seasons.  In this cross curriculum weather and seasons lesson, students identify characteristics of the four seasons and sequence related pictures. Students listen to poems and stories about trees in different...

In this energy from hydrocarbons worksheet, students read about endothermic and exothermic reactions and how hydrocarbons release heat as fuels. Students read how to measure heat changes in reactions and practice finding the specific...

Students create a paper bag book report.  For this book report lesson, students choose 5-7 items representing the story.  Students fill and decorate their bags and present them to the class.  Students describe the...

Students experiment with thermal insulators. In this heat transfer lesson, students predict and then measure heat loss from a cup of water using different materials as insulators. Students complete a line graph to display their results.

Third graders examine the Greenhouse Effect, how it operates and finally allows the student to experiment using a model created in the classroom. They explain how the greenhouse effect affects the Earth.

Students conduct an experiment to determine dew point and use a formula to detemine altitude. They construct a chart and predict what altitude clouds would form, given the dew point on the ground.

Students use a computer to simulate building and testing bridges with various types of trusses.

Students explore the effect of water, temperature and light on plant growth. Students are asked if they remember the LAW for plants. This is Light, Air(temperature) and Water, which all plants need for growth. Students are divided...

Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of water chemistry. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students also consider an experiment to observe how water has the abiility to exist as three different...

Students write newspaper articles using a "weather record" worksheet and information they find in newspapers.

Winter, spring, summer, and fall—take the learning of the seasons beyond the elementary level to the middle school classroom. Curious learners begin by watching videos about the seasons and the rotation of planet Earth. Then,...