Measure the amount of energy in a peanut by igniting a chemical reaction. Classes use a laboratory setup to burn a peanut and measure the amount of heat it releases through a temperature analysis. They calculate the number of Joules of...

Students explore the effects of chemical reactions when cooking. Using the Internet, they research enzymes and then mix jello. They examine their results and test enzyme activity by adding pineapple to the jello. Finally, they test...

Responsible farming is important for maintaining natural resources. Eager scientists complete a WebQuest to explore what happens to nitrogen when it enters the soil. They learn about the chemical makeup of nitrogen-based molecules...

Here is a well-designed science lesson that shows learners that everything that organisms do in ecosystems, including running, breathing, burrowing, growing, requires energy. After a thorough discussion of their own eating and drinking...

Students consider why we eat and where our food obtains its energy. They illustrate food chains that might be found on an open field, dissect owl pellets, identify the remains of animals in the pellets, watch videos and participate in...

Students describe the process of transesterification utilizing chemical formulas. They construct and compare models of chemical structure of the substances involved in biodiesel production such as: alcohols, alkenes, alkanes, alkyls,...

Eighth graders investigate chemical reactions to produce polymers. In this polymers lesson plan, 8th graders experiment with sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol to make a polymer. They also experiment with borax and glue to make a polymer....

Learners pretend they are a food-quality tester. They develop a kit to test food for sugars, starches, proteins and lipids. They answer questions to complete the lesson.

Students complete an experiment to determine if there are bad microbes in food processing.In this bad microbe experiment, students use apples to see how they react to oxygen. Students test apples with chemicals to observe the changes.

Students examine an industrial disaster in India which affected the food for generations to come. In groups, they research the history of pesticides and place them into groups based on the type of pests they control. They partcipate in...

Turn aluminum cans into pickles! An engaging experiment has learners chemically change aluminum into a substance with many purposes including the manufacture of pickles. After performing the chemical conversion, the experimenters verify...

Elements, to the rescue! Scholars first review the periodic table, and then learn about the first 20 elements and their properties and uses in the fourth of six lessons in the Mixtures and Solutions unit. Applying their newfound...

Students investigate foods. In this biology lesson plan, students will conduct testing on different types of foods as they learn about different molecules that make them up. Students will also learn about the shapes of the molecules.

Students investigate various substances to determine the perpetrator of a crime. For this biology lesson, students test for the presence of organic compounds in various samples. They identify an unknown substance based on its physical...

Students explore the world of polymers. In this chemistry lesson, students make polymers and observe their properties. Follow-up questions and extension activities are included.

Students comprehend that a chemcial change produce substances with a different composition and physical and chemcial properties. They state the differences between physical and chemical changes. Pupils observe changes that occur during...

Students examine the similarities and differences between weathering and erosion. They participate in a lab in which they test the effects of different materials when exposed to weathering and erosion. They record their observations.

Students differentiate between point and non-point pollution and determine how the different types of pollution are harmful to aquatic ecosystems. They complete a series of tests on a sample of "polluted" water and a sample of "pure" water.

Students experiment to create a plastic solution. In this science lesson, students use sodium borax and polyvinyl alcohol to create their solution, then identify, discuss, and chart observations on the end product.

Middle schoolers review properties of materials and define what pH tells them about matter.  In this pH levels lesson, students determine whether materials are acids or bases using indicator substances.

Students discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. For this biology lesson, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global climate.

Young scholars observe crystals and their shapes and formation. For this crystal formation lesson, the teacher prepares crystal gardens for the students to observe, then the class finds examples of crystals in nature and observe a...

Students become familiar with the products made from various plants.  In this plants lesson, students experiment with natural dyes from plants.  Students complete a list of things made from plants. Students answer...

Students conduct a series of experiments to explore carbon dioxide properties. In this chemistry lesson, students explain the production and uses of this gas. They measure its amount in soda and waste product of yeast.