University of Chicago
Don't Be Too Flaky
Snow, ice, and water are all composed of H2O. Does that mean they all have the same volume? Discover the ways that the densities of these substances determine their volumes, and how they change based on their current states of matter....
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Heat and Conduction
This simple activity is ideal for upper elementary learners when studying physical science. Using their sense of touch to describe how hot something feels, and then comparing their observations to thermometer measurements, they discover...
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Heat Energy - Energy Transfer
Here's a great selection of slides for a class being introduced to heat transfer. Types of materials that are good conductors or insulators are covered and the diagrams that accompany the information should make understanding more...
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Ice Cream Lab
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Even high schoolers enjoy making ice cream. This laboratory exercise has them record the temperature changes throughout the process of liquid becoming solid, graph the results, and...
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Volcano Lava Recipe--Experiment and Model
Students build a volcano of clay around a container that is thin and tall. They experiment with two containers with different mixtures in each. Students write out their findings and use strong adjectives to describe how the two mixtures...
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Ice Cream Lab
This very thorough lesson plan has students collect all ingredients necessary and work in pairs to make ice cream using plastic bags. They take temperature readings and record them on the chart as well as record findings on the...
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Describe Environmental Interrelationships
Students describe environmental interrelationships using list of criteria. They are able to explain organism interaction, based on definitions provided. Also, students can use references and worksheets, to describe effects of pollution...
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The Three States of Matter
Students explore the three states of matter. In this physics lesson, students are shown examples of solids, liquids, and gases. Students make cookies and identify the three states of matter during the baking process.
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DNA Extraction From Onion
Young scholars extract DNA from an onion using household equipment and supplies.
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The Chemistry of Bigger Bubbles
Fourth graders explore properties of bubbles. In this lesson plan about bubbles, 4th graders perform an experiment. Students analyze the properties of bubble making substances and surface tension. Students create a square bubble....
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By the Pound, Gram Liter or Gallon
Young scholars participate in experiments at five stations to practice measurement. In this measuring lesson, students are presented different produce and objects and must measure with an appropriate tool. Young scholars use metric and...
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Keeping Warm
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.
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Water Supply
Fourth graders complete three activities. In this water supply lesson, 4th graders learn that water can exist in different forms and watch a demonstration of each form. Students explore the water cycle and make a water cycle using the...
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HOLD ON TO THAT
Students will analyze how water enters different soils, how readily it passes through and how much water is held.1. Materials needed for the activity are; pint of clay, pint of sand, pint of loam, newspaper,
three frozen fruit juice...
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The Relationship Between Salinity and the Density of Water
Students investigate density and salinity of water. In this density and salinity lesson plan, students find the density of objects and liquids and show the relationship between the salinity and density of water. Students add salt to...
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Chemistry Lab-Heat of Fusion
Students determine the heat of fusion of ice. In this heat of fusion lesson plan, students use a calorimeter to measure the molar heat of fusion of ice. Students determine the heat required to melt one mole of ice using hot water and ice...
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Cross-Linked Polymer Lab
Students use short-chain polymers and borate ions to produce cross-linked polymers in the lab. In this cross-linked polymer lesson plan, students produce polyvinyl acetate slime and polyvinyl alcohol slime and test their physical...
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Thermometric Titration Involving Dataloggers
In this thermometric titration activity, students determine the concentrations of hydrochloric acid and ethanoic acid using a titration where they measure the temperature of the solution as they titrate. The equivalence point is found by...
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Fahrenheit Follies
Second graders analyze the effects of sunlight on a glass of water by using the thermometer to measure its temperature. They predict and measure the difference between water outside in the sun and shade and inside. They role-play a game...
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Beverage Tests
Young scholars investigate the pH of a liquid. For this middle school mathematics/science lesson, students collect and analyze data regarding the pH of various liquids. Young scholars display their data in various types of graphs as...
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DNA Extraction with Kitchen Chemistry
Students extract DNA from green peas. In this DNA extraction lesson plan, students use a blender to chop up peas, they mix them with a little soap, they tenderize them and they mix them with alcohol to see the DNA precipitate through the...
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Density
Students find the mass, volume, and density of various objects. In this density measurement lesson, students observe how same-sized objects can have different masses, then use water displacement to find the density of each object and...
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Elementary Concepts in Heat
Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...
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Melt Away
Students explore objects before and after heating using their senses. In this matter and energy lesson, students experiment with a variety of objects and use their senses (except taste) to make predictions and record observations about...