Curated OER
Making Sandstone & Conglomerate - An Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks
Students review the three types of rocks and the rock cycle. They participate in an experiment in which they discover the lithification process of sedimentary rocks. They record and share their observations.
Curated OER
Clay Planets
Have your class learn about the solar system using this hands on technique. Learners review what they know about the planets, and create a clay model of the solar system. There are a list of resource links to make this lesson a complete...
Curated OER
Make a Sundial
Students explore space science by conducting a sun experiment in class. In this time telling lesson, students discuss how the sun sits in our sky at exact times each day and how astronomy is based on our perspective of the solar system....
Nuffield Foundation
Dissecting Lungs
Here is a lab activity where teens experience the respiratory system first-hand as they dissect lungs and identify key structures within the system. Although the website is written in British English with some slightly different verbiage...
Curated OER
What If There's No Light?
students discuss the importance of light and the consequences of living without it. Using a plant as a demonstration, students predict and observe what happens to a plant when it does not receive enough light. In groups, they experiment...
Curated OER
Strong Ice
Through three activities, first-time physical scientists wonder at the properties of water. Freeze some soda cans and a container of water prior to the investigation to show that water expands when frozen. Lab groups experiement with...
Curated OER
Matter, Matter, Everywhere!
Eighth graders make inquiry about the existence of matter. A definition of the word is needed before students can engage in various activities. The application of knowing about matter is done in the working of experiments.
Curated OER
Just Passing Through
Students explore how water moves through soil. They experiment with different soil types and record their findings.
Curated OER
Oil Well That Ends Well
Focusing on the effect of oil spills on the environment, learners conduct experiments to explore this issue. First, they create an ocean environment using materials provided. Then, they make a simulated crude oil substance from vegetable...
Curated OER
Coordination
Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and matching questions are all here in a multi-page worksheet or quiz. While the formatting leaves a little to be desired, it would take just a few minutes to change the handout into a...
Curated OER
The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar
Young scholars explore climate change by participating in a physical science experiment. In this greenhouse effect lesson, students discuss the impact global warming has on our environment and how it works. Young scholars utilize a glass...
Curated OER
Exothermic Rehydration of Gypsum
Young scholars observe exothermic reactions in the lab using plaster. In this chemistry lesson, students collect data from their experimental set up every five minutes. They explain the different stages in the hardening of plaster.
Curated OER
Cell Energy-Bubbling Plants
Pupils discuss the process of photosynthesis in plants and that oxygen is produced as a by product. They observe underwater Elodea plants "breathing" in a hands-on activity. After setting up the experiment, they observe the plant for...
Institute of Physics
Activities for STEM Clubs
Need some support or ideas of how to entertain middle schoolers or what clubs to bring into your school? Let this excellent 40-page resource guide with links and step-by-step directions on STEM activities guide your decision.
Curated OER
Sources of Heat
Fourth graders conduct an experiment related to heat sources, and participate in a heat source hunt. They identify sources of heat, then compare the melting rate of ice cubes, illustrating the results in their science journal. Students...
Curated OER
Rubber Duckies and Ocean Currents
Students explore marine life by conducting a rubber duck experiment. In this water currents lesson, students practice identifying latitude and longitude coordinates on a map and define the currents of major oceans. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
The Nervous System
Students investigate the nervous system. In this anatomy lesson, students identify and define vocabulary related to the nervous system. Students role play the parts of a nervous system and perform an experiment measuring and...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Scientific Method
Young scholars participate in an experiment and learn to record it using the scientific method. In this biodegradable plastics lesson, students follow the scientific method to complete an inquiry. Young scholars complete an...
Curated OER
Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab
Students explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Students utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and help...
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus Wet All Over
Students observe the water cycle and experiment with cleaning water. In this hands-on hydrology lesson based on a Magic School Bus book, students conduct two experiments to see the how water moves through the water cycle and then they...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Scientific Method
Young scholars recognize and follow the steps of the scientific method to complete an experiment. In this scientific method lesson, students use inquiry tools to measure objects. Young scholars record their data.
Curated OER
Dirty Decomposers
Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Curated OER
Storms and Extreme Weather
Students explore hurricanes and tornadoes by conducting an experiment. In this weather pattern lesson, students define many extreme weather vocabulary terms and discuss the relationship with static electricity. Students utilize plastic...
Curated OER
Layers of the Forest- Leaf Litter
Students conduct an experiment. In this temperate forest lesson plan, students discuss what kind of animal life can be found in the forest. They read The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition and complete an...