Chicago Botanic Garden
Carbon, Greenhouse Gases, and Climate
Climate models mathematically represent the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land, sun, surface, and ice. Part two in the series of four lessons looks at the role greenhouse gases play in keeping Earth warm and has participants...
Curated OER
Inquiry into Consumer Products
Students recognize different consumer products, found in and around the home, that have reactive or denaturing properties when used together. They explore chemical and physical properties of each product by identifying chemical formulas...
Curated OER
Scarcity of Water Throughout the World
Students identify the various forms of fresh water on the earth. They observe a demonstration aand read articles that show them the importance of water conservation. They write a journal about their opinion regarding paying for water.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
DNA Extraction
What does your DNA actually look like? Use simple materials with this experiment to find out! Geneticists of all ages can follow these instructions to extract their own DNA. For learners who are hoping to extend the activity, there are...
Curated OER
Is Dilution the Solution to Pollution?
Students explore the different types of pollution. they conduct experiments using dye mixed with tap water to measure the levels of dilution. They discuss at what point the dye (pollution) would be diluted enough to be safe to drink.
Curated OER
Beaufort Wind Speed
Fourth graders investigate temperature, wind speed, humidity, air pressure, and direction. They compare their findings with those of the media. They apply the use of various tools to measure weather factors.
Curated OER
Barriers to Change: The Myths about Vehicle Idling
Students have the opportunity to confront some of the most common misconceptions that surround vehicle idling, and employ the concept of social marketing to initiate change. The goal is to give students an appreciation of the impact of...
Curated OER
Understanding Salinity
Young scholars discuss why the ocean is salty. They discuss what salinity is. Students are told that is they want to know how much salt is in a body or water, they would use a special scientific tool. They complete an Estuarine Layers...
Curated OER
ECOLOGICAL BIOASSAY OF COPPER SULFATE IN DAPHNIA MAGNA
Young scholars use this lab as a follow up to the introduction of the ecosystems and productivity levels, bioassays and what and how they measure, and Daphnia magna as an index organism, i.e., a species whose health within an ecosystem...
Curated OER
Going the Distance
Learners experiment in small groups to answer the question, "Is there a relationship between ramps and speed?" They apply a formula to calculate the speed of the cars used in the experiment, complete the associate lab report, and...
DiscoverE
Tunnel Meetup
Meet me in the tunnels. Scholars choose a tunnel entrance and mark it on their side of the cardboard. They describe the location to their partners and see if they can guess each other's locations. Punching a hole through the cardboard...
Curated OER
Change It
Fourth graders expand their knowledge about how the physical properties of a substances can be changed. They are given multiple opportunities, using first-hand experiences and familiar objects in different contexts, to identify...
Curated OER
Launching Rockets
Second graders discuss experiences of watching a rocket launch either on television or in person before making paper rockets. They make and color rockets which they attempt to launch using a strong breath blown through a straw at the...
Curated OER
Acid Rain
Learners create acid rain using carbonic, nitrous, nitric, and sulfurous acids.
Curated OER
Is Your Water Clean?
Students compare water quality of different sources. They test water samples for odor, phosphates, pH, bacteria, and dissolved solids. they fill out a data table and answer questions about their findings.
Curated OER
Worming Your Way Through the Soil
Students study soil, living and non-living particles in the soil, and learn about composting. In this soil study lesson, students study soil samples and discuss the living and non-living components of the soil. Students classify the...
Curated OER
Night of the Twister
Students use reading strategies for Night of the Twister. In this reading strategies lesson, students name five major catastrophes and books about each. Students complete a vocabulary section, make inferences and predictions, read the...
Curated OER
The Beaufort Scale: A Local Model
Students study the Beaufort Scale and use it to study wind in their community. In this wind study lesson, students watch a DVD about climate change and learn about the Beaufort Scale. Students complete a worksheet for the topic.
Curated OER
Types of Matter
Learners analyze different types of matter according to its general and specific properties. They design an experiment to classify matter. Students are shown cornflakes and raisins. They are asked what type of substance is each...
Curated OER
What is Climate?
Students explore the differences between climate and weather. In this introductory lesson of a climate unit, students discuss the vocabulary and concepts associated with weather and climate. They build their information base for the...
Curated OER
Design Technology- Grow Your Own Grub
Students design a protective cover for outdoor plants. In this agricultural lesson, students use chicken wire, plastic sheeting, and empty bottles to construct a cover for lettuce leaves. Students take digital photos of their project.
Curated OER
Fishkill
Learners analyze data to determine the effect of thermal pollution on a certain species of fish. They graph temperature and dissolved oxygen and make inferences on the impact a change in temperature could have on the fish. As a class...
Curated OER
Galloping Who?
Third graders do an Internet search to find out about Galloping Gertie and what caused the bridge to fail.
Curated OER
Spectral Surprise
Students experience a model that produces, separating, and displaying spectral colors.