Bouncing Sunlight

Students explore using energy from the sun for heating and cooking as they build and compare the performance of four solar cooker designs. This excellent two-day lesson has groups of students build and test a variety of solar cookers....

Third graders explore absorption and reflection of light energy. In this solar energy lesson, 3rd graders explore how light energy transfers to heat energy through the construction of a solar water heater. Students will discuss and...

Students access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker lesson, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Students complete a worksheet on...

Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics from making...

Students build a solar oven. In this solar energy lesson, students follow directions that show them how to build a solar oven made from a pizza box that can heat up food.

Here is a great way to get pupils to express a scientific concept in a fun way. After hearing the story of Walter the Water drop and learning facts about the water cycle, the class will write a creative expository piece describing what...

Students discover the power of the sun through an outdoor experiment.  In this solar power lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on atoms before they complete an atom worksheet.  Students utilize a solar bag to demonstrate the...

Third graders are introduced to light in an eight part unit which includes activities, additional resources, and rubrics for each part. Students address topics such as energy, reflection, absorption, and refraction through hands-on...

Students explore echolocation. In this bats science lesson, students compare sunlight reflecting off a mirror to sound waves hitting a bat's ears. Students complete a worksheet about bats.

Third graders perform various experiments to show the flow of energy that causes heat. In this heat lesson, 3rd graders understand how heat is transferred or trapped. Students use the scientific method and critical thinking skills to...