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Eggs On My Head
Students apply math skills using formulas to solve a Physics equation.  Working individually, students create an equation to calculate the drop rate of an egg from a tower so it will hit a specified target, the teacher.  Students test...
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Density
Second graders watch a demonstration and complete an experiment to determine how an objects' density allows it to float or sink. They work in small groups to assimilate the characteristics of items that float as opposed to simply...
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Ecosystems: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Seventh graders examine proper journaling techniques, and record observations about at tree after listening to a read aloud of "Four Worlds: The Dine Story of Creation." They study the difference between living and non-living things, and...
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Science: Avalanche!
Eighth graders examine avalanches after reading excerpts from John Muir's book, "The Yosemite."  In small groups, they conduct experiments with flour, sugar, and potato flakes representing different snow consistencies.  Then, 8th graders...
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The Closer I Get To You
Pupils explore the law of reflection. Through experimentation and problem solving, they collect and analyze data pertaining to reflection. The data is plotted on a graph and formulas for calculating the x and y values are evaluated.
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What is Everything Made of?
Students observe a demonstration on how we see space between water molecules.  In this experimental instructional activity students discover what elements make up the things around them and discuss what they learned. 
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Treats in a Basket
Students explore probability by participating in an experimental activity. In this number statistics lesson, students collaborate in groups in which they move a game piece around a board. Students calculate their probability of landing...
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Calorimetry Lab
In this calorimetry lab, students apply the information read about a calorimeter to conduct a scientific investigation. Students record their data in a chart. Students use the information from the chart to calculate specific heat of...
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Using FoilSim to Measure Your Elevation
Young scholars, after designing model wings, demonstrate an understanding of wing design by testing models of the wing types both experimentally and by computer modeling in FoilSim and then presenting their results.
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Popcorn Neutrino Lab
Students parcticipate in a modeling activity that simulates the cyclical role of experimental and theoretical science. Initially, students measure the mass of popcorn. They also record predictions of the mass of the kernels after they...
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Is the Probability Probable?
Third graders compare experimental results with mathematical expectations of probabilities. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to gain practice with the concept of probability.
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How Do You Know There is Air in a Bag?
Fourth graders explore air as a material substance.  Through experimentation and discussion, they explore how air can be classified as a material substance.  Students write three examples proving that air is a material substance in their...
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The Biomass Balancing Act
Students work in groups to research biomass using the International Energy Agency's website. Students use evidence from the web search to assess biomass energy potential in Pennsylvania as part of a classroom "Alternative Energy...
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Sound
Second graders investigate the production of sound through experimentation.  Working in pairs, 2nd graders receive supplies to create a sound machine.  Once they create their machine and record the differences in the sounds produced.
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Stories That Grow on Trees
Students create their own plot-choice story after reading and discussing a commercially published plot-choice book.
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Decomposers at Work!
Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the process of decomposition. After a lecture/demo, students simulate the process of soil composting in the classroom. They closely chart the decomposition of their soil.
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Transformation With A Firefly Gene
Students understand the process of bacterial transformation through experimentation.  They describe the function of two important genes of the pBestLuc plasmid.  They explain how to induce competence in E. coli cells.
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LEGO Construction Basics-The RCX
Students build a stable car after examining the RCX. They determine how to incorporate the RCX into their design using Legos to build a car.
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Point of View
Learners participate in an inkblot test to discuss how what they see is different than their classmates. After viewing various artifacts, they write down what they believe the object is and then they are placed into a group to discuss...
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More No-Three-In-A-Line
Fourth graders read Mary's problem and make sure that they examine it. 
After some discussion, let the class work on the problem in their groups. 
They then take turns in putting a picture of their arrangement on the board.
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Physical Properties of Ice
Students explore the different properties of ice.  They make predictions and experment with ice.  Students discover that ice melts faster under pressure.  Students create a flipbook what what happened after each experiment.  This lesson...
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A Green Patina Finish
Students create a blue-green patina that serves as a protective coating on copper jewelry or other artwork. Using four different experimental methods, students apply patina to copper pieces and compare the results of the different...
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Living Corn Necklace
Fifth graders explore heredity and observable traits through experimentation.  They view several different types of corn and record their observation of physical traits on a class chart.  They create a corn necklace by sprouting dried...
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Making Connections
In this experimentation instructional activity, students review the steps of setting up an experiment, determining the correct procedure and analyzing the data. This instructional activity has 23 fill in the blank questions.