Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Density Differences
Learners investigate differences in ocean water density, and record density data from salt, ice, and hot water samples in their notebooks. Students then simulate ocean water temperature levels in a simulation.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Plant Surveys to Study Biodiversity
An extended field investigation intended as launch into several concepts in environmental science including biodiversity, human impacts on natural systems, and energy transfer in ecosystems.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Scientific Observations: A Schoolyard Bio Blitz
For this activity, learners are instructed in how to make scientific observations. They apply this skill in the schoolyard, recording on large paper what they observe inside a hula hoop placed on the ground.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Magnet Attraction
What is a magnet? In this activity, students will investigate magnets and what they attract. They will observe, explore, ask questions, predict outcomes, then discuss and record their findings.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Compositions: Using Chromatography to Explain Color Patterns
In this experiment, learners will explore the properties of color using chromatography then observe and compare color patterns to differentiate compositions of various colors.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Changing the State of Matter Using Heating and Cooling
In this lesson, students will investigate how different materials changed when heated or cooled. The process in developing the investigation will be inquiry based. Students will have the liberty in choosing the materials and devising how...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: How Do Different Liquids Affect Movement of Materials Across a Membrane?
Young scholars investigate the movement of different materials across the cell membrane of a raw egg once the egg shell has been dissolved in vinegar.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Rock Investigation
In this activity students will observe and investigate rocks in order to classify them in terms of color, shape, texture and size.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc:investigating Friction:investigate How the Force of Friction Opposes Motion
In this investigation, middle schoolers will learn that speed, velocity, and changes in velocity are the result of the action of forces on objects such as friction. They will be able to explain how the force of friction opposes motion by...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Light Properties
Students will investigate how light travels and what it does when it hits an object. Light sources will be used to represent a beam of light. Students will direct the beam toward various objects and materials. Through observations...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Sound Waves
In this Physical Science experiment, students investigate how sound travels through different mediums, including solids, liquids, and gases. This particular experiment deals with solids by using a wire hanger and two pieces of cotton...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Isotopes and Average Atomic Mass Using Pennies
In this activity, students apply what they have learned about weighted averages, isotopes, and systems of equations to a new situation - coins in a sealed container. They learn some historical information regarding the composition of...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Non Living Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
In this activity learners will observe a square foot of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. They will keep a journal to record the physical elements of their area. It will include both written details and drawings. They will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Nonliving Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
In this biology field lab, students will observe a square foot area of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. The students will keep a journal to record the physical elements of the ecosystem which they will visit monthtly. The...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mass Spectrometry: Using a Game Format to Develop Logic Skills
Students will use previous knowledge of chemistry concepts and skills to interpret mass spectrometry graphs and will learn to determine one or more possible formulas for an organic molecule represented on the graph. They will also gain...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Why Are There Seasons? A Study of Phenology
This is an ongoing activity where young scholars take monthly temperature measurements, and make observations of the weather and changes in the environment, at the same location in the schoolyard each time. They will make and use an...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Using Properties to Identify Ionic and Molecular Compounds
A guided inquiry in which students test different physical properties, such as melting point or conductivity, to help them determine whether the compounds are ionic or molecular.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Negative Human Impact on Wildlife: Birds
This scenario with clues lets students not only identify a bird by looking at it but also to follow the collected information to figure out what is killing the House Finch and why. They will learn about the human impact on wildlife.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Identifying Plant Family Characteristics
Students make observations of similarities and differences between three types of garden plants to determine why they are grouped together in one plant family.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Graphing Fall Leaves
Students use leaf classifications they created to graph the properties of leaves they collected on their playground.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Building Big Educator's Guide Mini Activity Human Arch, Forces
In this physics/engineering activity students physically make an arch by pushing on each other with arms outstretched over head. As long as the pair of students balance each other's force their arch will stand, although it will be weak....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Determination of Boyle's Law Through Data Collection
Students develop an understanding of the mathematical relationship between pressure and volume of a gas. Students will practice data collection and graphing skills while also making the connection between force and pressure
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observation of a Candle
In this activity, students observe and test a candle to try and determine what must be present in order for a candle to burn and what the products of combustion are.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Moon in Motion: Monitoring the Moon's Phases
Using a moon calendar data-gathering tool, students discover the patterns of the lunar phases through observations and other exploration activities.