Exploratorium
Indicating Electrolysis
Sure, your learners know water is made up of two molecules, but watching them separate helps the class see the construction like never before. This resource provides directions on how to build a simple electrolysis device using a...
Teach Engineering
Density Column Lab - Part 1
Mass and density — aren't they the same thing? This activity has groups use balance beams and water displacement to measure several objects. The pupils use the measurements to calculate the density of the objects.
Teach Engineering
Wetting and Contact Angle
Explore terminology related to water droplets. The sixth installment of a nine-part series teaches young scientists about wetting and contact angles between water droplets and surfaces. It also distinguishes between hydrophobic and...
LABScI
Surface Tension: Liquids Stick Together
Use science to help you walk on water! Young scientists explore the properties of liquids including cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension. They use graphs to compare different liquids and make predictions about their molecular attraction.
Curated OER
Construct a Buoyant Scuba Diver
Groups of young oceanographers get to use action figures to experiment with the property of buoyancy! This memorable lesson plan provides detailed background information, a link to the laboratory worksheet, and thorough instruction...
Curated OER
Life Processes and Water
Explain the properties of water. Identify the properties of water that make it a polar molecule Describe hydrogen bonds and how they differ from covalent bonds Discuss the differences between hard water and soft water Compare the heat of...
Curated OER
Freeze Pops
Learners experience problem-based learning as they use prior knowledge of the states of matter to keep a frozen juice bar from melting.
Curated OER
Amazing Salt
Students examine the effects of salt on ice. For this salt lesson, students observe what happens to the temperature of ice when salt is added, then make ice cream to see how this knowledge can be used.
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
Cornell University
Non-Newtonian Fluids—How Slow Can You Go?
Children enjoy playing with silly putty, but it provides more than just fun. Young scientists make their own silly putty using different recipes. After a bit of fun, they test and graph the viscosity of each.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Oil Recovery
Energy conservers investigate gravel size to discover if it impacts the amount of oil recovered in the extraction process.
American Chemical Society
Change in Temperature - Exothermic Reaction
Alone, or as part of the intended unit on chemical reactions, this activity allows learners to experience an exothermic reaction. Here, learners add calcium chloride to a baking soda solution and watch the temperature rise! They will...
Curated OER
Water Pollution and Food Chains
Students investigate the two key concepts covered in this lesson: first, how pollution can affect plants, and, second, how polluted plants affect the rest of the food cycle. In sum, this lesson teaches students about "Bioaccumulation".
Curated OER
Ways We Use Water
Fourth graders write a persuasive paper after a demonstration about the properties of water and how they work. The lesson also uses a mind map to outline the paper.
Curated OER
Daily Survival Requirements of Water
Students will use inquiry science to complete an investigation. They create hypotheses predicting the changes water undergoes in becoming ice and determine how much ice needs to be melted to create one 8 oz. glass of water.
Curated OER
Water Quiz
Students use a digital atlas to explore the effects of water on landscapes. They view view pictures and complete worksheets to study the properties of water. Students study the water cycle and the chemical role it plays in living cells.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students examine the YSI and the water properties that it measures. They identify the different properties of water pH, DO, temperature, turbidity, and salinity and determine why it is important for them to test these parameters.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students investigate the properties of oil and water by making marbleized paper. They examine fish species by making Japanese fish prints and 3-D cardboard fish. They create posters that present messages about conserving our waterways.
Curated OER
Water Around Us
Third graders learn the effects of temperature on the states of water. Then students create paper snowflakes. Finally students complete a computer project with software which teaches the different states of water.
Curated OER
Water Consumption, Pricing and Conservation in Utah.
Students investigate the research report that measures the levels of water usage for Utah. They focus on conservation efforts that are currently being used. They reflect upon their own amount of water usage and research methods of...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
First graders investigate the different stages of the water cycle. They conduct Internet research and complete a water cycle WebQuest. Students identify what happens at each stage of the water cycle, and write about each stage in their...
Curated OER
Water Taste Test
Students brainstorm the different characteristics of potable water. In this general science lesson, students test several water samples and hypothesize which samples and brands they are. They discuss where drinking water came from and...
Curated OER
Let's Think About Water
Students explore the different forms that water can take and conduct simple experiments to demonstrate some of its properties in each state. They watch a short video that illustrates some of these concepts.
Curated OER
Take a Dip: Sticky Water
Students complete lab activities to investigate the "sticky" properties of water, such as surface tension and capillary action, due to the polarity of the molecules.