Curated OER
Find It!
Students analyze the basic concept of Global Positioning Systems using triangulation and measurement on a small scale in the classroom. They describe a satellite and how it helps in locating a person on Earth. They explain how...
Curated OER
Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones
Young scholars plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, these are exposed to different conditions of light levels and/or soil moisture contents. Students measure growth of the seedlings every few days using...
Curated OER
Have a Backone
Students create a visual organizer that describes different groups of vertebrates in this pre-writing activity. They view and discuss a video on descriptive writing and then form small groups to research vertebrate classes using the...
Curated OER
Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
Curated OER
Types of Dinosaurs
Students complete puzzles of dinosaurs. They compare each piece of the puzzle to a fossil and simulate a scientist's role in learning about dinosaurs.
Curated OER
Extinction
Young scholars explore reasons why the dinosaurs became extinct, and the specific needs (habitat, environment, food) of individual types of dinosaurs.
Curated OER
Just Breathe
Learners examine the inhalation and exhalation process. They create a model pair of lungs from given materials. They discover the technology that has been developed based on engineers examining the respiratory system.
Curated OER
Magnitude of the Richter Scale
Students examine how a Richter scale operates. They create a booklet illustrating each rating on the scale. They discover how engineers use different measurement tools.
Curated OER
Seismology in the Classroom
Students work together to use a sample seismograph. They role play the position of an engineering firm that is to analyze the machine. They discover how engineers develop new machines to take measurements.
Curated OER
Acid Attack
Students explore the effect of chemical erosion on statues and monuments. They use chalk to see what happens when limestone is placed in liquids with different pH values. They also discover several things that engineers are doing to...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Pitch and Frequency
Students experiment with a vibrating ruler and a kazoo to study the different pitches and frequencies they produce. They create both high and low pitch sound waves. They examine how engineers use sound energy when designing electronic...
Curated OER
TE Activity: The Great Divide
Students simulate the distribution of nonrenewable energy resources using cookies. They determine how the world's growing population effects the equitable distribution of these resources. They look at how engineers work to develop...
Curated OER
Does Santa Claus use the Coriolis Force to Travel East?
Students are given a visual demonstration of the Coriolis Force in the Northern Hemisphere. They are encouraged to find locations around the globe and try to predict what the weather circulation patterns might be like.
Curated OER
Focus on Friction
The students learn about friction and forces through direct instruction and an investigation. They use measurement skills, observation skills, predicting, and drawing conclusions based on data collected during the investigation. Students...
Curated OER
Units and Measurement
Pupils discuss the word weight, how much they weigh and the conccept of heavy and light. They hear the story of measurement and the metric system. They work in groups and measure and record items found in the classroom and use a variety...
Curated OER
My Family and Me
Third graders observe and record the activities of the ant colony at various times of the day. They report on observations and discuss the role of cooperation and contributions to a family unit. They compare the social structure of ants.
Curated OER
Oobleck and the Mystery Powders
Pupils listen to the book, "Oobleck," by Dr. Suess before experimenting with mystery powders. They determine the proper ratio of powder to liquid to make the Oobleck.
Curated OER
The Great Winged Adventure
Students identify characteristics of birds, name several species, and explain how birds fly. They make nests and give bird presentations.
Curated OER
Force & Motion
Third graders are introduced to the concepts of force and motion. In groups, they travel between stations to analyze the effect of force and motion on various objects. They research how various careers use these concepts as well.
Curated OER
Maple Syrup Production
Students examine the steps of maple sugar production and the labor and effort involved from the tree to the final product. They participate in a taste test game, and if they have access to maple trees, make their own syrup and sugar.
Curated OER
Fossils
Young scholars act as paleontologists to discover who a mystery guest to the classroom was. They do not know the identity of the guest but infer the identity from items left behind in the classroom. They make inferences from dinosaur...
Alabama Learning Exchange
What do Plants Need?
Students plant seeds and watch them sprout. Once growing plants are placed in different conditions and students record data about their growth. They graph the data.
Curated OER
Totem Poles -- Storytellers of Long Ago
Third graders discover the main purpose for totem poles was to communicate with others. In groups, they compare and contrast the four types of totem poles and the various symbols used. They write their own stories based off of pictures...
Curated OER
Rock-A-Bye Pendulum
Third graders use the scientific process to explore the effects of force on an object in motion. They demonstrate that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the change in speed or direction of the object. They...