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Convection in a Pan
Students watch a demonstration using a plastic bag and a hair dryer to create a hot air balloon. After the demonstration, they discuss the results and whether or not hot water behaves the in the same manner as hot air. They conduct...
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Corrosion & Rust
Students examine how and when rust and corrosion occur. In this corrosion lesson students complete an experiment to see why metals rust.
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What's in the Pond?
Sixth graders are introduced to microorganisms within a specific ecosystem and have the opportunity to make observations, explore the environment, conduct experiments and draw conclusions through firsthand experience at a pond. They also...
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Stomata
Students explore what the stoma does for a plant. In this botany lesson students complete a stomatal peel experiment and measure its densities.
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Weather or Not (Cloud Formation/Condensation)
Students investigate the formation of clouds and rain in this experiment. They decide how dust in the air helps to make clouds form and how dust helps meteorologists make forecasts.
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The Drag of Drag
Students are told that any object moving through a fluid (air, water, molasses, etc) experience a drag force which oppose the motion. They are given the summarized version of drag which is proportional to the square of the velocity....
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Reaction Rates-Catalysis, Concentration, Surface Area, and Temperature
Students determine the meanings of concentration, surface area, and catalysis through an experiment. In this lesson about chemical reactions, students participate in an experiment. Students complete three different parts of the...
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Paper Gliders
Sixth graders study friction and drag. In this science lesson, 6th graders use different models of gliders and test to see which of the gliders fly the farthest. Students analyze their data and construct a graph.
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Bernoulli's Principle: Wind and Wings
Students investigate Bernoulli's aeronautical discoveries. Working in groups they conduct simple experiments with paper that demonstrate how airplane wings work and how they are affected by air pressure.
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Monitoring Oxygen Level
Young scholars measure oxygen percentages in room air and air exhaled after they perform various activities. They explore various websites, and record and analyze the data from the experiments.
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Barometer Investigation
Learners construct a barometer to use in an experiment that they design to measure the air pressure on a daily basis. These observations of air pressure allow students to determine how weather is affected when a storm is approaching and...
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How Things Fly
Students explain basic principles of aeronautics such as gravity and lift. In this How Things Fly lesson, students visit the interactive, hands-on How Things Fly gallery at the Smithsonian. Students perform three experiments that...
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Weightlessness
Young scholars use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
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Dew Point
Fourth graders investigate saturation conditions and measure the dew point. They conduct an experiment, record data on a worksheet, and measure the dew point in the experiment.
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Lesson 5: Boyle's Law
Learners participate in a lab to verify Boyle's Law using applied force (weight) to do work on a closed isolated system of air. "Elasticity of Gases Apparatus, BASIX" from Sargent-Welch is the syringe apparatus used to measure volume...
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Investigation 3 - Condensation Chambers
Fourth graders investigate the concept of condensation and how it is formed. They conduct an experiment and make observations of the chambers. Students record the data and then write down conclusions. The lesson includes background...
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Water Pressure
Pupils spend time examining the concept of water pressure. In groups, they research the amount of air pressure that is felt at different levels above sea level. Using a calculator, they calculate the water pressure given different ATM...
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Respiratory System
Students analyze the function of the lungs. In this lesson about the Respiratory System, students explore breathing and the movement of air through the lungs. Students perform an 4 part experiment to observe what it might look like for...
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Incandescent Light Bulb
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the light bulb.
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Frisbee
Students examine the history behind the frisbee and how Bernoulli's principle and Newton's law plays a role. In this flight instructional activity students complete an experiment on how the rim of a frisbee effects flight.
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Out and About: Sound
Students visit science museums. In this hands-on science lesson, students visit the Magna Science Adventure Center, Thinktank, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
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Watercycle
Third graders examine the natural circulation of water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to evaporation into the air, and then to condensation to produce rain falling back to the soil as components of the water cycle.
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Let's Think About... Magnets and Gravity
Students watch an episode of the PBS show "Jay Jay the Jet Plane," and explore magnets and gravity. They conduct various experiments involving magnets and sand, bean bags, and a fishing pole with magnets.
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Mushroom
Students identify the different types of mushrooms. In this biology lesson, students explore different mushroom experiments they can do at home. They discuss ways to extend sliced mushrooms' shelf life.