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Dry Ice: Simply Sublime
A fascinating instructional activity on states of matter is here for your young scientists. Dry ice is used to challenge learners preconceived notions about how solids work. They discover all sorts of interesting facts about states of...
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The Properties of Water: "Dead Or Alive"
Students study the water cycle and create a booklet entitled: "Discover the Wonder of Water" They observe and record data regarding evaporation, condensation, and precipitation and how water moves from a solid to a liquid to a gas. They...
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Ice Cream
Open this instructional activity by giving a brief history of ice cream. Using liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature, preteens make their own confection. The accompanying activity sheet queries learners about freezing point, the...
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Why Do Ice Cubes Melt?
First graders investigate water properties by participating in a hands on experiment. In this ice formation lesson plan, 1st graders examine real ice cubes in a bowl and identify the reasons why certain cubes melt faster than others....
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Water
Students conduct a series of investigations on the unique properties of water. In this general science activity, students explain what causes water's surface tension. They explain the different stages in the water cycle.
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Making Ice Cream
First graders create ice cream in class. In this matter lesson, 1st graders discover solids, liquids and gases and the properties of each. Students produce a batch of ice cream in class using household items.
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The Water Cycle
Third graders investigate water formations by conducting an experiment. In this water properties lesson, 3rd graders utilize pie tins, sponges and salt shakers to create an evaporation and saturation experiment. Students collaborate in...
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Rain Formation
First graders investigate the different water formations by conducting an experiment. In this water properties lesson, 1st graders examine jars filled with ice, rain water, air and snow in their class. Students predict what...
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Changing States of Matter - Making Ice Cream
Students make ice cream as a result of viewing changes of states of matter. In this matter lesson plan, students learn how heating and cooling can effect a state of matter to change.
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The Open Ocean, What is it and How Does it Change?
Students investigate the ocean environment. In this ocean lesson plan, students discover the physical properties of the ocean. Over two days, students work in small groups investigating ocean maps and creating water currents.
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Ice Floats
Students explore the changing density of water. In this physics lesson, students investigate how an object's density determines whether it will float or sink in water. They explain why this unique property of is important to living things.
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What's The Scoop?
Students explore the properties of matter. In this cross curriculum three states of matter science lesson, students listen to the poem "Eighteen Flavors" by Shel Silverstein, and predict what will happen if listed ingredients are...
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Sediment Sleuths
Are you looking for a good, solid lesson on sedimentary rocks? This one, produced by the Illinois State Museum, is just such a lesson. Middle schoolers identify common rocks and minerals by analyzing sediments from local water sources....
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Fun in the Sun
Students freeze colored water. In this art lesson, students take the blocks of ice out of the freezer, put the blocks into a small pool and watch the ice melt.
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Calibrating a Thermometer
Students calibrate an alcohol thermometer using the boiling and freezing point of water. In this physical science instructional activity, students explain what happens to boiling point of water as altitude increases. They calculate their...
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Polygons, Pingos, and Themokarst! Oh MY!
Students complete activities to learn about the common land features in Alaska. In this land study lesson, students study an overhead for permafrost features. Students define ice wedge polygons, thermokarst, and pingos. Students also...
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Factors That Shaped Indiana
Fourth graders construct a model of Indiana which displays the effects of the glacial period on the state's physical structure. Students work in groups to plan and execute their model based on an established rubric.
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Non-Newtonian Fluids
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great lesson to...
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Inter-State Matters
Students explore the six phase transitions between gases, liquids and solids for a variety of elements. Each group of students focuses on a different element, investigating its physical properties during each of the six phase transitions.
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Solids and Liquids
Students complete activities to study the properties of solids and liquids. In this states of matter lesson, students investigate the melting and freezing of a range of materials in a virtual experiment. Students melt the substances and...
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Antarctica
Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
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Ocean Currents
Students label the names, relative temperature, distribution, and direction of flow of major ocean currents on a world map. They also explore and model the natural forces that affect the movement of ocean currents through demonstrations...
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Crystal Growing
Young scholars explore the different phases of a crystal. In this mineral lesson students grow their own sugar crystals using a sugar recipe.
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The Great Heat Escape
Students observe a demonstration on the role of thermal conductivity in heat transfer. In this thermal conductivity lesson, students design and conduct an experiment to compare the thermal conductivity of four substances....