In this space travel worksheet, students will write a short essay about taking a trip to another galaxy including details about where they would go, how long the trip would take, and what they would see along the way.

What is a Leap Year and why do we have it? Find out with this Leap Day/Leap Year response to reading learning exercise in which scholars read a short passage and use their new-found knowledge to answer five questions with short...

Students brainstorm ways of using an inclined plane or lever and demonstrate using materials such as a board, fulcrum, etc. They divide into two groups and figure out to lift a crate using materials for a simple machine. Once they...

Fourth graders determine how long it would take to fly to each of the planets in the solar system. They do two calculations: one, if they were using conventional jet, the other if they were using the fastest spacecraft possible.

Students divide into groups of four or five and distribute materials to design StarDarts by drawing and cutting out 6-8 cardstock stars, each about one and a half inches across. They decorate their stars with phosphorescent paint...

Students investigate U.S. geography by exploring it's bodies of water. In this river formation instructional activity, students identify the reasons rivers are needed in our country by reading assigned text. Students examine a diagram...

Students explore the long distances and timescales involved in space travel. They track the progress of the New Horizons spacecraft and access the New Horizons website to discover the distance of the spacecraft from the Sun, and then...

Young scientists grab their measuring tapes, rulers, and yard sticks as they see how big Arctic animals really are. To conceptualize the trait of height or length, each small group will measure out the entire length of an arctic animal....

In 2006, New Horizons began its mission to fly to Pluto. As it continues its journey, scholars track its progress with the help of an informative website, all the while reinforcing measurement concepts with the construction of a scaled...

Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.   

Your pupils may believe that you and their parents are the oldest things in the universe, but surprise! There are elements of the universe that are even older. Elementary scientists create a class timeline to demonstrate the...

Convey your interest in conveyor belts. By considering different size tubes, groups create a conveyor belt that can transport boxes of candy at least four feet. Also, the conveyor belt must make a 90-degree turn—quite a difficult task!

If a ski lift had rockets, imagine how fast it would be! Scholars let their imaginations take flight as they build models for such a ski lift. Rather than using a rocket, though, they'll use a much safer balloon as the power source.

Learners explain the concepts of tension and compression, and then state the purpose of suspension bridges. They also study some of the most famous suspension bridges in North America.

Students discuss the methods of energy transfer. In this energy transfer activity, students use ice to demonstrate what happens when energy is transferred. Students complete a Science Journal page as an assessment.

Students work with circles, angles and estimating angles in the night sky. In this circles and angles lesson, students practice measuring a degree using the circumference of a circle and apply the degree to determine a way to use their...

Students explore electricity. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, students discuss the composition of electricity and how it is made. They participate in discovery activities by rotation through four activity stations set up on the...

Learners identify the parts of a landfill. In this ecology lesson plan, students use various ingredients to create an edible landfill snack. For example, learners use fruit roll-ups for plastic liner and crushed graham crackers for gravel.

Students investigate companion planting. In this  communtiy gardening instructional activity students explore the tradition of the Native American Three Sisters gardening approach. Students act as botanists, anthropologists,...

Students create a timeline of the times dinosaurs lived.  In this  dinosaur timeline activity, students research the various periods when dinosaurs lived. Students work in groups to research the dinosaurs of a specific time...

Students examine the concept of transpiration. They work together to complete an experiment in which they see water loss in plants. They record their observations and discuss their conclusions.

Students discuss glaciers and write a definition for a glacier as a class. After discussion, they participate in an activity that demonstrates how glaciers can cause dramatic changes and create new landforms. Groups discuss their...

Students develop a time line of discoveries that have occurred in their lifetime. For this time line lesson plan, students research scientifically or technologically related events of interest to them, write a brief description on a 4x6"...

Young scholars investigate glaciers. In this earth science lesson plan, students use sandy ice cubes to observe how glaciers change the land. Young scholars list forces that cause changes in the Earth's surface.