Polar Trec
South Pole Ice Cream!
How can you turn an ice cream activity into a scientific investigation? It's easy if you know ionic compounds, heat transfer, and the exothermic and endothermic process. Learners will explore the science behind freezing, insulation, and...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students investigate how water changes state. In this water activity, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. This activity includes extensions which can be accessed via the provided web links.
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students examine water. In this chemistry activity, student examine the physical properties of water and how it changes from a liquid to a solid or a gas. This activity contains links to a second and third complimentary activity on...
Curated OER
Water Cycle Stories
Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Students record the mass of the Ziploc bag and record...
Curated OER
The Penny Factory
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and separate or sort items using these properties. Students explain...
Curated OER
The Same But Different
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made. Students discuss the different states of matter and their distinct physical...
Curated OER
Water & Ice
Students investigate the properties of water. In this states of water lesson, students explore how water goes from liquid to solid and back to liquid again. Students use measurement, observation, and communication to describe the change.
Curated OER
Sounds Like Great Science!
A phenomenal lesson on sound is here for your third graders! In it, learners engage in hands-on activities, watch video, take part in Internet activities, and complete tasks in cooperative groups in order to explore the world of sound...
Curated OER
Chemical Equations and Reactions
Graphic organizers, photos, diagrams, and text bring the world of chemical reactions to life. By viewing this presentation, young chemists learn how to recognize when a chemical reaction has occurred, and how to balance chemical...
National Institute of Open Schooling
The Liquid State
Due to surface tension, dew — a liquid, is spherical in shape. Learners explore the properties of liquids in activity seven in this series of 36. Beginning with its basic properties such as boiling point and moving through to surface...
Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They...
Teaching Tolerance
Why Local Elections Matter
Uncle Sam wants everyone to vote in local elections! Geared toward middle and high school scholars, the resource explores voter turnout and the importance of local elections. Academics participate in group discussion, complete...
PBS
Breaking it Down
After challenging themselves to correctly choose the form of erosion and length of time required for a given landform to develop, earth science class members model mechanical and chemical weathering with various lab demonstrations over...
Virginia Department of Education
Soap, Slime, and Creative Chromatography
Do you think chromatography paper suffers from separation anxiety? Young chemists make soap, slime, silly putty, and experiment with chromatography in this lesson plan. The material includes clear instructions for each experiment along...
What So Proudly We Hail
A Lesson on Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection”
Benjamin Franklin identified 13 virtues that he felt would strengthen his character if he could focus on each one. A thorough instructional activity explores high schoolers' personal values in the context of their lives, and compels them...
Curated OER
Slip Slidin' Away
Students investigate mechanical weathering as a form of erosion. In this erosion instructional activity, students, define weathering and erosion before determining how the Earth's surface is in a constant state of change. They watch a...
University of California
Energy and Biomass Pyramids
Young scientists play tag as they act out the food pyramid in the ocean ecosystem. Energy circles pass from the smaller prey to the predators and at the end of the activity, a data chart and analysis questions allow pupils to apply their...
The Alamo
A Lesson in Citizenship
What does it mean to be an American citizen? Lieutenant Colonel Commander William Barret Travis believed that it meant honor to country first—even above one's own life. Middle and high schoolers read his final letters from the Alamo that...
Curated OER
Science- Unit on Matter- Liquids-
Second graders discover that everything is made of matter. they determine the properties of liquids and that like solids, liquids can be grouped or classified according to properties or qualities. they assess that solids have a definite...
Curated OER
Science- Unit on Matter- Solids
Second graders identify and describe properties of matter.
They identify three forms of matter- solids, liquids, and gases with 100% accuracy. The student describes the properties of solid objects.
Curated OER
Changing State
Students examine the changing states of water. In this solid, liquid, gas lesson, students discover that water changes when heated or cooled. Students make predictions and then use the interactive whiteboard to "heat and...
Curated OER
Observing Popcorn
Fifth graders discover the process of boiling water and how it is part of the changing of states of matter. They observe a kernel of popcorn pop in a test tube with water and take notes of how the water changes to the form of a gas....
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
To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...