Curated OER
"Mummies--The Great Cover Up"
Students wrap their mummy, use canopic-style jars for the preserved chicken organs and design and decorate a sarcophagus. They collect data by weighing, measuring and graphing their "mummy" and its organs.
NOAA
Come on Down!
What do we do when a dive is too dangerous for humans to accomplish? Send in the robots! Middle school scientists get acquainted with several different models of submersible robots in the second instructional activity of six from NOAA....
Curated OER
Force & Acceleration
Students investigate the effects of weights on the motion of a toy car. In this force and acceleration lesson plan, students use different weights, a toy car, a paper clip and string to determine how a car will move as different weights...
Curated OER
Measure Twice
Students measure a variety of objects using the appropriate measuring tool. In this measurement lesson, students explain the importance of accuracy and precision in collecting data. They discuss the difference between the two.
Curated OER
Rate Determining Step and Catalysts
Students investigate the rate determining step in a chemical reaction and how catalysts effect reactions. In this rate determining step and catalyst lesson, students work in groups to perform 5 tasks. They rotate each task and time how...
Curated OER
Melting Ice is Hot Stuff!
Fourth graders determine the amount of energy required to melt ice using a calorimeter. They calculate the Molar Heat of Fusion of Ice.
Curated OER
Density Derby
Students explore the relationship between mass, volume and density. They use model boats to discover how changing mass and volume affect density. This is a very engaging instructional activity which provides great demonstrations and...
Curated OER
A Weighty Task
Students aim to explain the need for standardization of units of measurement. They pose their own standards for the value of a kilogram and compare them with the currently used standard.
Curated OER
Which Brand of Air Freshener is Most Cost Effective?
Students use scientific method to determine cost-effectiveness of air freshener, and create PowerPoint presentations to share their results.
Curated OER
The Role of Density in Sinking or Floating: Relational Causality
Students watch the teacher do a demonstration of density with diet and regular soda. Note: try this first, as different types of artificial sweetener have different densities. Students discuss density and volume. They discuss "Relational...
Curated OER
Observing and Identifying Matter
In this observing and identifying matter worksheet, students use a cookie in a bag and list 10 different descriptions of the cookie. They draw and label their cookie and given the cookie in the bag to their teacher who mixes all the...
Curated OER
Designing An Investigation
Students will design a scientific investigation. In this engineering design instructional activity, students will set up an investigation, collect data and form a conclusion about bridge design. They will use common household items to...
Virginia Department of Education
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Provide high schoolers with their own indoor gardens! Emerging scientists discuss the process of photosynthesis and germinate seeds before growing plants in multiple lighting conditions. The hands-on application allows pupils to see...
Virginia Department of Education
The Particle Theory of Matter
Demonstrate the particle theory of matter to high school scientists with an engaging experiment that allows them to visually see the results as substances change from one state to another. The class concludes with a discussion about how...
Curated OER
Hot Food
High schoolers compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis as processes that provide energy to biological communities. They investigate the energy content of hydrocarbons used in coral communities.
Curated OER
Robo-Pull
Students solve linear equations using two steps. In this algebra lesson, students add, subtract, multiply and divide to solve linear equations. They apply concepts of equations to a robot pulling cargo.
Virginia Department of Education
The Rate of Motion
How much time does it take to jump over three balloons? Pupils calculate the speed of tasks that require different motions. They determine motions for tasks such as walking, skipping, hopping, and jumping before creating a spreadsheet...
Curated OER
Tools of the Trade
Third graders explore and identify the tools that can be used to measure length, mass/weight, and volume. They discuss how things are measured using different units, and observe the difference between the English and the Metric systems....
Curated OER
Denser Sensor
Fourth graders calculate density, compare densities of solids and liquids, measure liquids using a balance, and investigate the significance of density. They conduct an experiment to determine an order of densities, and complete a...
Curated OER
Mass
Students determine how mass is a property of an object that can be measured, and examine how size affects mass. They work with balances and determine what units of measurement are associated with mass. Finally, they determine the...
Curated OER
Hover Above the Earth
Fourth graders build a balloon hovercraft, take direct measurements, answer critical questions, and make calculations using the data gathered in order to see the concept of acceleration as a change in velocity. They use a worksheet...
Curated OER
Cookie Caper
Students determine the best chocolate chip cookie. For this comparison investigation, students create a quantitative scientific study to determine the best chocolate chip cookie using the steps of the scientific method.
Curated OER
To Float or Not to Float - A Lesson on Density
Learners define density in their own words. In this physics lesson, students calculate density using mass and volume. They explain why some objects sink and some float.