University of Colorado
Terra Bagga
Earth's magnetic poles switch positions about every 200,000—300,000 years. In the activity, groups create a planet with a magnetic field. Once made, they use a magnetometer to determine the orientation of the planet's magnetic field....
University of Colorado
Strange New Planet
The first remote sensors were people in hot air balloons taking photographs of Earth to make maps. Expose middle school learners to space exploration with the use of remote sensing. Groups explore and make observations of a new...
University of Colorado
Can Photosynthesis Occur at Saturn?
In the 19th activity of 22, learners determine if distance from a light source affects photosynthesis. Participants capture oxygen in straws and find that the amount of water the gas displaces is proportional to the rate of photosynthesis.
University of Colorado
Terra Bagga
One way to identify possible volcanic activity on other planets is by testing the planet for magnetism. A science lesson begins with pupils constructing their own planet from a dead battery, magnets, paper, and tape before labeling...
LABScI
Catapult: Flight of the Marshmallows
Watch your marshmallows fly. The engaging STEM activity has groups create a catapult to launch marshmallows. After testing their prototypes, they consider improvements and redesign their catapults.
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
Lou-Vee-Air Car
Who said teaching a STEM lesson had to be challenging? Incorporate a career and technology-centered car build into your upcoming force lesson plan, and your class will be moving down the road in no time! Pupils practice...
PBS
The Caterpillar or Larva
The larval stage of the butterfly life cycle is quite exciting. Start a discussion about the specially designed body parts unique to caterpillars. After examining images of caterpillars, learners use plastic soda bottles, string, and...
Curated OER
Spuds in Space
Students explore the effects of velocity on an object when it collides with another object. They design and outfit a potato astronaut in a spacesuit to withstand the hazards of high velocity impacts from space debris and meteoroids.
Curated OER
Environment: Water & Air
The introduction to the lesson mentions a sailor's limited capacity to store drinking water on his ship. Pupils then set up an overnight experiment to remove freshwater from salt water by distillation. There is a math and map activity to...
Curated OER
Identifying Angles
Students identify names of angles. They use a large clock to demonstrate angles using certain times of day. Given a geoboard, students create figures with acute, right, and obtuse angles.
Curated OER
Water Filtration
Middle schoolers demonstrate the four of five procedures that municipal water plants use to purify water for drinking. A water filtration system is designed by a student and their partner. A data chart is made to record all observations...
Curated OER
How Can You Tell One Clear Gas From Another?
Fifth graders perform experiments to determine the identity of an unknown gas sample. In this chemistry lesson, 5th graders fill balloons with air, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. They use mass and reactivity to identify the gases.
Curated OER
How Many Units?
Young mathematicians calculate the area of rectangles and squares. In this geometry lesson plan, learners are grouped in pairs and use geoboards to construct rectangles. They calculate the area of the figure by counting the number of...
Curated OER
Check it Out...Nonfiction Can Be Fun!
Organizing information gathered for a research topic can be a challenge. Read aloud notes you have collected on a topic and use suggestions offer by the class to categorize and sort this information. Partners then follow this pattern,...
Curated OER
Acceleration 1
In this acceleration worksheet, students use weights to increase the mass affecting the force on moving objects. Students plot a graph of their data and answer 3 questions about how the acceleration of the toy skateboard used in the...
Curated OER
Moving Bodies
In this moving bodies worksheet, students investigate how the amount of mass of a body in motion affects its tendency to remain in motion. Students use a meter stick as a ramp, marbles, string and a wooden block to determine how far a...
Curated OER
Earth's Ecology
Students investigate the three states of water. In this physical science lesson, students watch the video "Earth's Ecology" and observe water in its' three states. Students record observations.
Curated OER
Sound Observations
Students explore sound waves by conducting an experiment in class. In this sound frequency lesson plan, students utilize a tuning fork in class and identify which objects in class create different sound pitches on the fork. Students...
Curated OER
Design an Instrument
Students design an instrument. In this sound, vibration and pitch activity, students learn about the characteristics of sound, vibration and pitch. Students design a guitar using the assembled craft materials and demonstrate how...
Curated OER
Circus Alliterations
Make the learning of alliteration more fun by using the topic of a circus! 2-3rd graders will write a circus alliteration and draw an illustration. In the end, they will complete an allitration acrostic poem. This lesson could take place...
Curated OER
Freddie Feels
Students become aware of the sense of touch and the body parts effected by touching. In this five senses lesson, students touch mystery items and create a touch page. Students discuss the body parts connected to the sense of...
Curated OER
Activity Plan 5-6: Where Does the Water Go?
Students perform an experiment to discover what happens to water as it evaporates. In this early childhood lesson plan, students observe evaporation as they conduct an experiment. Students fill cups with water, then check it daily for...
Curated OER
Submersible Designer
Learners work in groups to design, build, and test a submersible prototype. In this engineering lesson, students learn about the importance and design of submersible vessels and apply their knowledge by building one of their own. They...