Would you rather have a million dollars or 1 x 10^6 dollars? To find the answer to this question, class members first complete an assessment task converting numbers between decimal notation and scientific notation. They then take...

Explore the conversion of numbers to scientific notation and back again. Learners begin with a matching activity to identify equivalent expressions. Then guiding questions test and extend their understanding.

General chemistry class members engage in a mini-unit on mole conversions. Through nine lab activites with varying degrees of difficulty, they practice measuring mass and volume, molar calculations, and stoichiometry. Terrific...

Students explain the importance of scientific notation. In this physics lesson, students determine the resistance of resistors using the colored bands. They compare and contrast scientific notation and resistor band notation.

Middle schoolers explore the concept of expressing numbers in scientific notation. For this scientific notation lesson, students understand the importance of using scientific notation by finding real world examples where scientific...

The sun's diameter is 864,337 miles—challenge learners to create a scale model of the solar system that fits in your classroom. Scholars make conversions and work with scientific notation as they create the scale model. 

Double click that mouse because you just found an amazing lesson! This cross-curricular Ornithology lesson incorporates literature, writing, reading informational text, data collection, scientific inquiry, Internet research, art, and...

Students explore scientific notation and the structure of the metric system.  In this middle school mathematics lesson, students read How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz to introduce students to the need for scientific...

Even though pennies seem to be relatively thin, stack enough of them into a single stack, and you could have quite a high stack. Enough so, that the final result can be a surprise to you as well as your class. This activity centers...

Facilitate learning by using small objects to teach the principles of atomic mass in your science class. Pupils determine the average mass of varying beans as they perform a series of competitive experiments. They gather data and...

Students apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...

Students conduct a variety of exploration activities on various science topics. In this science lesson outline, students design a cell encapsulation to hold a specific type of medicine. They give examples of physical and chemical...

It's hard to envision what 39 billion plastic bottles look like. Brita claims that the US uses that number of plastic bottles each year! If that's not enough to get your attention, figure out how many times 39 billion water bottles can...

Pupilss explore science using technology in this lesson. They manipulate the TI to find important science topics. This activity requires a TI-84 or higher.

Students compare Saturn's moons to the Earth's moon.  In this moon lesson students work in groups and complete a lab activity then answer questions. 

Does the number of calories you eat affect the total time you sleep? Young mathematicians tackle this question by collecting their own data and making comparisons between others in the class through building scatter plots and regression...

High schoolers examine the role of the 'Salon'. In this historic communications lesson, students role play and use discussion to enhance their understanding of the role the Salon played in 18th century Europe. High schoolers will divide...

Learners use a NASA website do activities which help them better explain how air temperature and kinetic energy are related to aircraft propulsion.

Scholars investigate levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Pacific Northwest by examining the role of nitrogen in air pollution and how remote sensing can be used to measure nitrogen levels. An Excel spreadsheet calculates the difference...

Learners construct a model of an electromagnetic spectrum using play-doh and string. They use exponents and plot the radio/microwave, infrared, and visible bandwidths of the spectrum.

Hate to vacuum, but enjoy using a vacuum pump? Explore a lesson that starts with a demonstration of boiling water at various temperatures by using a vacuum pump. Then scholars design their own experiments to measure vapor pressure and...

Young scholars observe and count bird sightings around their schoolyard throughout the school year.

Students discover scales for both the solar bodies' relative sizes and their distances from the sun. They find equatorial circumference and volumes of their solar bodies. Students apply estimation strategies and proportioanl reasoning to...

Learners perform computer simulations on air dispersion. In this chemistry instructional activity, students calculate energy transfer based on specific heat and temperature change. They explain the causes of smog.