Columbus City Schools
Changes All Around Us
Whoa! What just happened? That's right, change is everywhere. But what exactly is changing? Middle school science sleuths get to the bottom of the changes matter can experience. Through simple demonstrations, engaging videos, and an...
Curated OER
Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases
Young scholars participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space. In this matter lesson, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Young scholars make...
Curated OER
States of Water
Students investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" lesson plan, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Students observe the effect heat has on...
Curated OER
Dunking Duckies - Endless Expansion And Contraction
Students use inquiry to explore how their dunking duckie bobs up and down. In this states of matter instructional activity, the teacher guides the class towards discovering how the dunking duckies continue to bob up and down for days...
Concord Consortium
Phase Change
Energize your phase change lesson plans! Add a short but focused interactive into the mix and watch as pupils experience how states of matter react to changes in kinetic energy. The resource tracks the kinetic energy of a cold solid...
American Chemical Society
Molecules Matter
Did you know that jumping spiders sometimes wear water droplets as hats? A seventh grade science lesson plan introduces the concept of what makes up water: tiny molecules that are attracted to each other. Starting with a...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Making a Liquid Crystal Thermometer
Introduce your classes to a fourth state of matter! Liquid crystals have a colorful sheen that changes based on different physical factors. Learners use this information to create a liquid crystal thermometer where the color of the...
Curated OER
Do Touch!
Students explore the sense of touch. They investigate unknown solids using the sense of touch. Pupils use their senses of touch to match feely gloves. Students explore body parts, by tracing their hands and feet on paper. They create a...
Curated OER
The Same, But Different
Third graders examine the phase change between solids and liquids and determine it to be a physical change. Ice is the perfect item to use to demonstrate this phase change. Pupils experiment with measuring and weighing solid ice and the...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
What is the Water Cycle? Activity A
Hydrologists create a concept map about how water is used and a sentence strip defining water and describing its unique properties. Small groups work together to fill a small milk carton and compute the mass of water inside. The next...
Curated OER
Non-Newtonian Fluids
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great lesson to...
Curated OER
Solid, Liquid, Or Gas?
Students identify physical characteristics and group objects for a picnic using the states of matter for each object and using literature to introduce the states of matter.
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Students investigate and explore the three states of matter. They read and discuss the NASA article "The Engine That Does More," identify examples of each state of matter, and as a class complete a section of two worksheets. They...
Curated OER
Ooblek
Students demonstrate the three states of matter. In this matter lesson, students read Bartholomew and the Ooblek. Students create "ooblek" and discuss what state of matter it is.
Curated OER
States of Matter Lessons
Teachers can give their students hands-on ways to explore solids, liquids, and gases with these lesson plans.
US Department of Energy
Thermodynamics—Teacher Guide
I'm so cool! No, you're exothermic. This thermodynamics lab unit includes an introduction, teacher demonstrations, six labs that students rotate through each class day, homework assignments, application of knowledge, and...
Curated OER
Freeze Pops
Learners experience problem-based learning as they use prior knowledge of the states of matter to keep a frozen juice bar from melting.
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Evaporation
Why do experiments require a control? Guide scholars through designing an experiment to see what they can do to evaporate water faster with a lesson that stresses the importance of controlling all variables. The second activity...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Young scholars participate in various air experiments to understand that air is all around us. In this states of matter lesson, students focus on the role of air in the water cycle. Young scholars understand that air is densest near the...
Curated OER
Classifying Matter
Second graders conduct investigations to explore matter. In this states of matter lesson, 2nd graders complete four activities to analyze the three states of matter. Students analyze the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Students...
Curated OER
Exploring Phases of Matter
Students discuss and experiment with the phases of water. In this phases of matter lesson plan, students recognize the different states of matter. Students measure and record changes and understand when the state changes.
Curated OER
Chemistry
As the title implies, this PowerPoint defines and illustrates the basic terms involved with describing matter. Phases of matter, atomic structure, and the different categories of compounds are included. Slides are simple and uncluttered....
Cornell University
The Science of Snowflakes
Who can grow the best crystals? Challenge class members to develop strategies for enhancing growth in the crystals. Through a lab investigation, learners study the properties of crystals and test the effectiveness of different...
Curated OER
Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.