Curated OER
Heating
Young scholars develop the idea that heat is a form of energy which moves from hot objects to cold ones.
Colorado State University
How Can Clouds Keep the Air Warmer?
Condensing water warms the air around it. Young scholars consider this concept as they experiment with air temperature around evaporating and condensing water vapor. They simulate the formation of clouds to experience the associated...
Colorado State University
Why Can Warm Air "Hold" More Moisture than Cold Air?—Vapor Pressure Exercise
Does it feel a little humid in here? Learners assume the role of water vapor in the atmosphere as they explore the differences between warm and cold air. They roll dice to determine their level of energy, which determines if they...
Chymist
Temperature
Three Dog Night isn't just the name of a band; it is also the way an Australian tribe, who used dogs to stay warm, would describe the temperature on a cool evening. After reading about many different ways of measuring temperature, the...
Next Generation Science Storylines
Why Do Some Things Get Colder (or Hotter) When They React?
Some reactions absorb heat while others release it. Young scholars investigate both types of reactions in a 12-lesson unit. Each lesson presents a lab investigation that monitors temperature and considers the types of reactions taking...
Colorado State University
What Is a "Convection Cell"?
Round and round in circles it goes! A hands-on activity has learners recreate a model of a convection cell. They watch as the difference in density of their materials creates a current.
Carnegie Mellon University
Home Energy Audit
Youngsters make a mental assessment of electricity-consuming appliances in their homes and then evaluate them for the amount of energy consumed. They learn how to use power meters and measure the electrical consumption of several...
K5 Learning
Rocks
Five short answer questions follow an informational reading passage that details the three different types of rocks—sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic—and their rock cycle.
Curated OER
Things Are Heating Up
In this science worksheet, learners read about chemical changes. Students also answer 3 comprehension questions about the reading.
Curated OER
Science: Let's Have a Cool Lunch
First graders develop problem-solving skills by designing methods for keeping lunch boxes cool. Once they determine the amount of sunlight and heat generated in shaded and unshaded areas, they explore ways to provide shade. Finally, 1st...
Curated OER
Landscaping And Urban Forestry - Lesson 4 (Grades 8-9)
Learners discuss reasons to plant trees and the best locations for cooling. They study two homes and identify types and locations of trees and determine the placement of the central air conditioners. The class plans a landscape design...
Curated OER
Unsaturated, Saturated and Supersaturated
High schoolers investigate unsaturated, saturated and supersaturated solutions. For this solutions lesson plan, students experiment with sodium acetate and produce three different types of solutions including a saturated solution of...
Curated OER
Passing The Heat Along
Fifth graders consider conduction. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders explore how heat passes through conductors and examine materials that contain heat.
Curated OER
Plants and the Water Cycle
Students study the role of plants in recycling water by collecting water vapor that is emitted, or transpired, by green plant leaves. They collect and measure the water that transpires through the tiny pores of plant leaves. Afterwards,...
Curated OER
The Cool Forms of Water
Students discover the different forms of water on Earth. For this states of water lesson, students read material on the different forms of water and how they are created. The students answer written questions on worksheets.
Curated OER
Too Cool for School-The Greenhouse Experiment
Students create a town model and analyze the type of greenhouse gases their town emits. In this earth science activity, students build greenhouses to investigate how trapped heat causes temperature change. They relate this activity to...
Curated OER
Temperature and Thermal Energy
In this temperature worksheet, students answer 8 questions about temperature and thermal energy. For example, "What term refers to an energy transfer that causes a change in temperature?"
Curated OER
Starlight, Star Heat
In this stars worksheet, students read how astronomers calculate the temperature of a star by measuring its color. Students use a chart showing star temperatures and colors to complete 3 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Thermo and Fluid Dynamics of a Homemade "Lava Lamp"
Students construct their own lava lamp using simple substances. In this physics lesson, students explain how difference in density causes convection. They solve for forces and buoyancy using mathematical equations.
Curated OER
Seasons and Weather
Learners, in an open forum with the teacher, discuss the four seasons and all the activities they do during each season. They tie in all the different types of weather that is experienced during each season. In conclusion, the students...
Curated OER
Rocks and Soil
Middle schoolers explore the physical properties of rocks. They explore the three different types of rocks and are able to compare and contrast their different properties. Students simulate the creation of sedimentary rock, they also...
Curated OER
Modeling Hot and Cold Planets
Students, in teams, design and construct models of two planets, one hot and the other cold, using a variety of materials. They attempt to create the models out of substances that will actually show the greatest temperature differences...
Curated OER
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are the focus of this life science learning exercise. Student read a selection on these animals, then answer ten comprehension questions. Then, students must draw an "alien portrait" using the characteristics of slugs...
Curated OER
Paper Chromatography-Chemical and Mechanical
High schoolers perform paper chromatography to determine pigments in plants. In this paper chromatography lesson plan, students isolate leaf pigments, prepare a chromatogram and place their chromatogram in a solvent to separate the...