Chicago Botanic Garden
Albedo, Reflectivity, and Absorption
What is reflectivity, and what does it have to do with the Earth's climate? As reflectivity is measured by albedo, scientists can gather information on Earth's energy balances that relate to global warming or climate change. Budding...
Curated OER
Physics 152 Fall 2004 Final Exam, Parts A, B, C, D
At the end of a general physics course focused on light and electricity, you can administer this exam. Concepts covered include electromagnetism, circuits, induction, light rays, lenses and mirrors, characteristics of light, electron...
Curated OER
Atomic Emission Spectra and the Bohr Model of the Atom
Young scholars investigate the wavelengths of spectra lines for common atoms. In this atomic emission spectra lesson plan, students use a transformer and diffraction grating to observe the emission spectra of various atoms. They find the...
Curated OER
Shrinky Dinks® Palettes
Here is a fun and clever lesson plan for teaching physics classes how to calculate wavelength if given the energy and frequency data. On a worksheet, they compute wavelengths using a table of information that you provide. On a paper...
Serendip
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
How does energy from the sun make plants grow? Scholars move step by step through the processes that promote plant propagation during a detailed lesson. The resource illustrates ADP production and hydrolysis, then allows learners to...
Curated OER
Energy Forms
Students explore energy by participating in a science lab in class. In this energy form activity, students define the different types of energy such as light, mechanical and sound while examining energy measuring tools in class. Students...
Curated OER
Making Energy "trails"
Learners explore ten different stations that demonstrate either chemical, kinetic, or mechanical energy. They examine the way energy is transferred during each station's hands-on activity. Stations include vinegar and baking soda,...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is important, for without it, life on Earth would not exist. An activity that includes modeling the greenhouse effect and acting out the Earth's energy balance makes up the first part in a series of seven lessons....
Exploratorium
Vocal Visualizer
Make sound visible with an activity that provides directions for how to build a vocal visualizer meant to create light patterns. Making noise into the visualizer causes a mirror to vibrate, reflecting a laser beam, and creating the...
Clarkson University
Forms, States, and Conversions
Searching for a way to integrate multiple concepts of energy conversion while captivating a middle school audience? This lesson presents topics related to potential and kinetic energy and offers the ability to allow pupil interaction.
Bonneville
Introduction to Circuits
Light up the class's knowledge. Pupils build a simple circuit using a battery, wire, and a light bulb and create a diagram of their circuit. The teacher provides a short lecture on a complete circuit, calling attention to the direction...
Bonneville
Solar Powered Calculator
The perfect place to do one's math homework? Outside, of course. The third of seven lessons in the Understanding Science and Engineering unit focuses on solar energy. Learners investigate solar-powered calculators and discover how solar...
Bonneville
Wind Power: A Hands on Experience
Turn a learning experience into a fun lesson. Future engineers create blades for a wind turbine using card stock. Using a fan, they test how well the blades help the wind turbine turn. The goal is to build blades that are effective...
Curated OER
Who Turned on the Lights?
Seventh graders discuss how energy is transformed from one form to another. In this physics lesson, 7th graders design and build their own hydro generator. They identify the factors that affect its energy production.
Curated OER
The REAL Transformers
Ninth graders create a model of a hydroelectric generator. In this physics lesson, 9th graders discuss how energy can be transformed from one form to another. They make a flow chart for different energy generating plants.
Curated OER
Multi-Talented Electrical Energy
Young scholars explore energy conversions by demonstrating the conversion of electrical energy into light, heat, sound, and magnetic energy. Students create a simple device that converts electrical energy from batteries to heat, light,...
Curated OER
Energy Conservation
Class is divided into groups of 2-4 students. They then are given a list of 36 items that are found in our homes and which use electricity. They are going to pretend that because of an energy shortage, they have to pick only twelve items...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Energy in Motion
Fifth graders explore energy transfer. In this thermal energy activity, 5th graders stretch rubber bands several times and estimate the band's temperature change. Students identify this action as an example of thermal energy. Students...
Curated OER
Energy, Work and Power
Young scholars examine the differences between potential and kinetic energy. In this physics lesson students view a video and apply what they learn about energy to apply it to real world situations.
Virginia Department of Education
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Provide high schoolers with their own indoor gardens! Emerging scientists discuss the process of photosynthesis and germinate seeds before growing plants in multiple lighting conditions. The hands-on application allows pupils to see...
Serendip
Using Models to Understand Photosynthesis
Is your class in the dark about photosynthesis? Shed some sunlight on an important biological process with a thoughtful activity. After answering questions to help determine their level of knowledge, learners work with chemical equations...
Curated OER
What Role Does Light Play Within the Vision Process?
Students are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...
Curated OER
Magnetic Induction
In this electricity worksheet, students learn about magnetic induction plus compare a generator with a motor. Students also review the different kinds of energy and the formulas associated with energy. This worksheet has 28 matching, 10...
Curated OER
Exothermic vs. Endothermic
The PowerPoint opens with video footage of the decomposition of nitrogen triiodide and then explains it with diagrams. Graphs of exothermic and endothermic reactions are exhibited, as well as one for the effect of a catalyst on reaction...