There's an elephant in your classroom. That's right — a big, awkward elephant named Dissection. Sure, you'd like to talk about him ... but how? Whether you're a seasoned teacher or fresh out of student teaching, the topic of dissection...

In a fun lesson, kids learn about states of matter by identifying solids and liquids, then experimenting with gas to see if it has energy. Young scientists place raisins in a jar of club soda to see how the gas affects the floating or...

Aspiring space engineers design a rocket launch platform together to explore materials. The platform needs to be lightweight so that it can be transported easily, but super strong so that it can support the weight of the rocket and its...

Are you having trouble deciphering the Next Generation Science Standards on the website, or just trying to find the standards for your grade in a quick-and-easy format? If so, here is a free and easy-to-navigate app made with you in mind.

New ReviewTime to soak up some learning! A hands-on lesson plan teaches learners about the absorbency properties of substances. They conduct tests by dipping different materials in water to determine which hold water and then complete a handout to...

New ReviewWe're not talking about the kitchen sink. Learners explore what types of objects sink and float in water in an inquiry-based lesson. With experimentation, they find similarities between materials that float and those that sink.

New ReviewBelieve it or not, it is possible for liquids and solids to get along! A hands-on lesson has individuals explore dissolving properties of candies in water. They complete an activity guide to record observations about different candies...

New ReviewLiquids have many similarities, but their differences can set them apart. Using a student activity guide, learners conduct different property tests on water, oil, and syrup. They record their results and use them to rank the liquids by...

New ReviewStoring food in plastic makes more sense than storing it in paper. Young learners research the properties of these materials along with aluminum foil. They then connect the properties of the materials to their usefulness by completing a...

New ReviewSorting objects by properties is a lesson in justification. Learners begin by studying different types of properties of materials, including those based on appearance and texture. They examine the properties of specific items and use...

Soften up an egg. Learners use vinegar to test for calcium carbonate in an egg shell and an antacid tablet and compare the reaction with vinegar to the reaction with water. In a second experiment, class members break down an egg shell...

Here's an activity that will change how one sees color. Pupils try out an experiment on chromatography where they place a drop of food coloring on a coffee filter, add several drops of water, and watch the colors spread and separate....

Knowledge of acids and bases doesn't need to be a secret. Learners use red cabbage to create an indicator solution, then test how adding lemon juice (acid) and detergent (base) changes the color of the solution. They then use the concept...

Sometimes liquids just don't get along together. A fun experiment has scholars determine whether various liquids dissolve in water. They pour isopropyl alcohol, vegetable oil, and corn syrup into cups of water to see which ones mix well...

Don't play favorites when separating candy colors. Pupils use the process of chromatography to separate the colors of two different types of candy-coated candies. Class members compare their results to an unknown sample to determine...

Keep the tension up in the classroom. The class first observes as the teacher creates a dome of water above a glass by adding paperclips into an already full glass. Classmates then work in pairs to see how many drops of water can fit...

Super scientists find out whether Oobleck is a solid or a liquid in a lesson plan all about the head-scratching substance. The whole class completes a T-Chart that describes solids and liquids then listens to the story, Bartholomew and...

Need engineering resources? Problem solved! A STEM curriculum resource provides instructors with problem-solving activities. The document has eight parts: (1) electricity, (2) energy, forces, and motion, (3) general problem solving, (4)...

Technically, the resource is great. A curriculum support document provides instructors with suggestions for STEM activities. The file is broadly split into three parts: technical procedural lessons, which focus on electrical circuits;...

Flag the resource for future use. An educational STEM activity first teaches scholars about flags and their connections to science, technology, mathematics, social studies, art, and ELA. They then individually design flags for their own...

Picture books provide great learning opportunities for STEM. A curriculum resource document gives several lessons in each grade level for K-6. The activities have learners read a book before applying the engineering design process to...

It's time we get to the heart of the matter! Explore standard PS1A in an informative video. The narrator guides viewers through the basic ideas of the structure and properties of matter. then discusses helpful strategies for...

Sound, sight, taste, touch, and smell—oh the world of senses! What do these five senses have to do with the brain? The answer: everything. Explore how the brain sends and receives messages by having the class participate in several sense...

Design protection from high-speed particles. The STEM lesson plan highlights why astronauts need protection from space debris. Pupils use the design process to design, build, and test a spacesuit that will protect a balloon from a...