Cornell University
Polymers: Making Silly Putty
Putty is proof that learning can be fun! Share the wonderful world of polymers with your class through an experiment. Young scientists create their own silly putty, then examine its properties.
Curated OER
The Penny Factory
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and separate or sort items using these properties. Students explain...
Curated OER
Somethin' Sweet
Young scholars make their own candy. In this science lesson plan, students observe how molecules interact with each other in physical changes and observe how the addition of heat can cause molecules to interact and form new molecules in...
Curated OER
Solutions and Suspensions
Students explore matter by conducting an in class demonstration. For this liquid mixture lesson, students identify the difference between a solution in which a solid dissolves into liquid, and a suspension where the solid doesn't...
American Chemical Society
Colors Collide or Combine?
As part of a unit investigating the dissolving of M&Ms® candy coating, this lesson examines whether or not the different colors combine. There are no new concepts revealed in this particular lesson, but learners will see that the...
Curated OER
Evaporation of Alcohol and Water
Students investigate the process that occurs when liquids evaporaate. They test water and alcohol to determine which substance evaporates more quickly and relate the rate to energy changes.
Curated OER
Wonders of Weather
Fourth graders complete activities to study weather and the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders observe a demonstration of the three stages of water. Students work in groups to complete a water cycle lab activity....
Curated OER
Funny Putty
Young scholars are introduced to the properties of solids, liquids and gases. They see that colloids are mixtures which display the properties of more than one of these states. They engage in an excellent experiment which demonstrates...
Curated OER
Plant Nutrition and Nutrients
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
Curated OER
Earth's Water
If the majority of our planet is covered with water, why do we need to bother conserving it? With a thorough and varied investigation into the location and types of water on the earth, learners will gain an understanding of why this...
Curated OER
Is It There?
Young scholars participate in a lesson designed to illustrate these concepts using simple materials. They use Science process skills to observe, measure, predict, make inferences, and communicate while completing the activity. Proper...
Utah LessonPlans
Stomach Chemistry
Students will create a simulation of the chemical reactions that occur during the digestive process. A physical change occurs when the appearance of matter changes, but the composition of the matter does not change.
Curated OER
Solid, Liquid, Gas!
Pupils determine the properties of the solids, liquids, and gases, and how they can recognize those properties by observing a teacher demonstration. Next, they experiment with at mystery matter that looks like a liquid but that takes on...
Curated OER
What's Cooking
Students complete a solar radiation activity. In this solar radiation lesson plan, students complete an experiment to learn about solar radiation. Students make solar tea by using the energy of the Sun to brew tea.
Curated OER
Vibrant Volcanoes
Students explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Students examine plate tectonics.
Curated OER
Making Paper
Students explore how natural earth materials are processed into a human-made product. They simulate a manufacturing process by making paper. Students review the importance of recycling in preserving our natural earth resources.
Curated OER
Energy Defined
Fourth graders complete activities to study the sources of energy and forms. In this energy lesson, 4th graders discuss the origin of energy and define it. Students participate in several experiments to further study energy including a...
Curated OER
Let's Settle It!
Students investigate and record data about sedimentation rates. They make a sedimentation bottle using aquarium gravel, sand and potting soil. They discuss the sedimentation rates that they see in their bottles.
Curated OER
Lady Liberty
If you're looking for a fantastic cross-curricular instructional activity on the Statue of Liberty, then this instructional activity is for you! Learners watch a Reading Rainbow episode which focuses on the Statue, then gather facts...
Curated OER
Urban Heat Islands: An Introduction to Energy Transfer and Transformation
Elementary school physical scientists explore kinetic mechanical energy by dropping a golf ball on different surfaces. They discuss how human made materials might react to light differently from nature made materials. This lesson plan...
Curated OER
Convection Activities
Young scholars conduct a series of hands-on activities to demonstrate that heated air expands and that warm air rises because it is less dense.
Curated OER
Root, Root, Root for the Nutrients
Young scholars observe the growth of a seed, predict what will happen when seeds are planted without soil, and conduct an experiment using a hydroponics system.
Curated OER
Oxidation And Corrosion
Students sort tarnished metals by type and experiment with different cleaning solutions and techniques to restore them to their natural color and shine.
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quality
Learners observe water samples and measure the samples' water quality. Students develop their own criteria for measuring water quality and test for temperature, acidity, oxygen levels, turbidity, conductance, sediment and hardness.