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How Things Fly
Students explain basic principles of aeronautics such as gravity and lift. In this How Things Fly lesson, students visit the interactive, hands-on How Things Fly gallery at the Smithsonian. Students perform three experiments that...
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Investigating Motion
Students explore types of motion. In this motion experiment, students observe how objects move. Students work in small groups to discover the laws of motion.
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Gas Laws and Alka-Seltzer Rockets
Young scholars investigate the Ideal Gas Law. In this three states of matter lesson, students create Alka-Seltzer rockets using film canisters. Young scholars record observations and data according to the scientific method and explain...
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Disappearing Water
Students explore the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students observe and measure water in a closed container and in an open container. Students record their observations and compare their sets of data to draw conclusions...
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Scuba Diving
Students discover that scuba diving is more than a sport. It's a science that operationally integrates physics, chemistry, physiology, and oceanography. They perform a simple experiment which simulates the air tanks used in scuba diving.
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Boyle's Law
Students work in small groups and use a hand-held vacuum pump with a balloon under the dome with some air. Another deflated balloon is attached to the end where the air goes out. As the air is drawn out of the dome the first balloon with...
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Airplane Wings
Students examine the aerodynamics of a wing and how it generates lift. In this flight lesson students complete several experiments including how to build a paper plane and how airfoils affect performance.
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The Respiratory System
The student will calculate the vital capacity of the air in the lungs and trace the pathway of air into and out of the lungs. They describe the pressure changes that occur within the chest cavity when you breathe. They compare air that...
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Lesson 5: Boyle's Law
Young scholars participate in a lab to verify Boyle's Law using applied force (weight) to do work on a closed isolated system of air. "Elasticity of Gases Apparatus, BASIX" from Sargent-Welch is the syringe apparatus used to measure...
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Gas Laws Experienced
Students discover relationship between temperature pressure and volume as they perform research and experiments.
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Gathering Data About Respiration
Students engage in an experiment that tests how much air we breathe in and out during the respiration process. In this respiration lesson, students blow a typical breath's amount of air into a balloon. They use a ruler to measure the...
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Water 3: Melting and Freezing
Students understand that most substances may exist as solids, liquids, or gases depending on the temperature, pressure, and nature of that substance. This knowledge is critical to understanding that water in our world is constantly...
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How Hot is Too Hot?
Fifth graders use the scientific method to conduct experiments on the temperature effects on organisms. In this temperature effects on organisms lesson plan, 5th graders observe and record the hatching or the developing of organisms into...
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Strength of Water
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
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Cool Suits
Students examine the materials that are used to make space suits. They complete an experiment in which they test different materials in different colors to determine the best one for keeping astronauts comfortable. They analyze the data.
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Create a Cloud in a Jar (Hands-on Version)
Students examine the conditions necessary for cloud formation. For this clouds lesson students complete an activity that shows them atmospheric pressure.
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How Things Fly
Pupils conduct a series of hands-on experiments that help them explain the role of lift in fixed-wing flight. They observe the flow of air and water around several surfaces and then consider the dynamics of airflow around an aircraft wing.
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Wind
Fourth graders watch an experiment that demonstrates the causes of wind. They design and make an original weather craft.
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Snowball Fight
Students examine the weather conditions throughout the globe. As a class, they discover the impact of snow on various types of crops. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they form raindrops and calculate the...
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Can The Radon Problem Be Fixed?
Learners participate in lab activities in which they examine the radon level in homes. They demonstrate through convection currents how radon moves through a home based on temperature. They predict what they believe will occur during the...
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Four Forces of Flight
Students explore the four forces of flight. They investigate the four forces of flight: lift, drag, thrust and weight (gravity). They experiment with flight-testing various objects commonly found around the house and constructing paper...
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Rain Making - Understanding the Formation of Rain
Students read and conduct and experiment to learn about rain formation. In this water forms lesson, students read about the formation of rain and its purposes. Students then complete a rain experiment activity.
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What Makes Popcorn Pop?
Students experiment with making popcorn to discover what makes it pop. They cook various types to survey which brand gives the highest volume of corn.
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Wind
Students complete activities to study wind intensity. In this wind study lesson, students discuss wind speed and direction. Students then build a kite and windsock to help them study wind intensity. Students learn to use a wind meter for...