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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Polymers: Instant Snow

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Is it easy to make snow? Scholars use critical thinking skills as they investigate the concept of polymers by making snow. The class tests several different variables and takes measurements over the course of several days. They then...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Non-Newtonian Fluids—How Slow Can You Go?

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
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.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Hydrophobic Surfaces—Deposition and Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Couches, carpets, and even computer keyboards now advertise they are spill-resistant, but what does that mean? Scholars use physical and chemical methods to coat surfaces with thin films to test their hydrophobic properties. Then they...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Buoyancy

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Swimmers know to float by turning their bodies horizontally rather than vertically, but why does that make a difference? In an interesting lesson, scholars explore buoyancy and the properties of air and water. They test cups to see which...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The heat of solution measures how much thermal energy a dissolving substance consumes or gives off. The experiment demonstrates both endothermic and exothermic reactions. Scholars dissolve several substances, measure the temperature...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Forensic Science: Case of the Missing Diamond Maker

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Someone stole a diamond-making machine. Who done it? Scholars use forensic science at six different stations to determine the culprit. They analyze fingerprints, use their senses, and complete chemistry experiments to determine the...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Shedding a "Little" Light on Cancer Surgery

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Many types of cancer treatments now depend on nanotechnology—a big "little" discovery. Scholars begin by removing "malignant" tissue from simulated brains, one using fluorescent markers thanks to nanotechnology and one without. This...
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Printables
Cornell University

Center for Teaching Excellence (Syllabus Template)

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Need a model for a college level course syllabus? Here's a good one. The editable template provided by this resource not only indicates key information that should be supplied, but also includes models for how various policies can be...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Atomic Bonding

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Explore the connection of surface area to bonding within atoms. Learners complete lab investigations to model changing surface area with different sizes and concentrations of atoms. A flour fireball demonstration follows the labs to...
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Activity
Cornell University

Celebrate Urban Birds

For Students 3rd - 8th
Set up a 50x50 square foot area in a space at school and choose three days to go outside and observe the birds seen in a 10 minute span. The activity has learners tapping into their observation skills and creates awareness of the birds...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Beam Focusing Using Lenses

For Students 11th - 12th
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Making of Macromolecules

For Students 7th - 12th
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Galvanic Cell Game

For Students 9th - 12th
Play a little game with your classes! Young scholars expand on their understanding of oxidation/reduction reactions in a game-based activity. They build a Galvanic cell with game pieces while learning about each component and their...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Renewable Resins and Composites

For Students 9th - 12th
Merge chemistry with environmental science to study biodegradable materials. An engaging activity allows learners to experiment with different resin concentrations and composites. Through experimental tests, scholars test their creations...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Characterizing a Solar Cell

For Students 9th - 12th
Young classes are sure to get a charge out of this lesson plan! Learners experiment with circuits of a solar cell. They practice determining current, voltage, and power for the circuit and maximize the voltage and current of the cell.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Who’s Got The Flu?

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Become an immunologist for the day. Scholars elicit the use of the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) to diagnose an infectious disease. Through the process, they learn about the immune system response to infectious diseases.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Sound Off!

For Students 10th - 12th
Time to witness the effects of sound. Learners analyze different materials to determine their abilities to absorb sound waves. They use free software to monitor the amplitude of the waves to verify results.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Math Is Malleable?

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Learn about polymers while playing with shrinky dinks. Young scholars create a shrinky dink design, bake it, and then record the area, volume, and thickness over time. They model the data using a graph and highlight the key features of...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

What Happens When We Excite Atoms and Molecules?

For Students 9th - 12th
Excited atoms lead to exciting lessons! Learners use heat and light to excite both atoms and molecules. They display their learning in the form of Bohr models depicting the excited state of the atoms.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Polymerization

For Students 9th - 12th
Explore condensation polymerization and additive polymerization through hands-on activities. Young scholars first model additive polymerization with paperclips. They finish the activity by using condensation polymerization to create a...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Thin Films

For Students 9th - 12th
Combine mathematics and science to calculate measurements of unmeasurable materials. Individuals use knowledge of density and volume to determine the thickness of the film used in production. They also apply stoichiometry to determine...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Thinking with the Eyes

For Students 9th
Objects are larger (or smaller) than they appear! Scholars use a laboratory investigation to explore the difference between resolution and magnification. The activity allows them to calculate the size of the field of view of their light...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Spectral Analysis with DVDs and CDs

For Students 9th - 12th
Build a spectrometer to analyze properties of light. Scholars examine the spectrum from CDs and DVDs from two different light sources. Using the spectrum, they work to identify different elements.