Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Fossil Fondue

For Teachers 9th - 10th
To understand how fossils are formed, students model the process of fossilization by making fossils using small toy figures and melted chocolate. They extend their knowledge to the many ways that engineers aid in the study of fossils,...
Activity
Other

The Science House: Invisible Ink

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Guidelines for a simple lab demonstration using phenolphthalein, a chemical that changes color depending on whether it is in the presence of an acid or base.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Common and Natural Logarithms and Solving Equations

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Young scholars continue an examination of logarithms in the Research and Revise stage by studying two types of logarithms--common logarithms and natural logarithm. In this study, they take notes about the two special types of logarithms,...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Surface Tension

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Surface tension accounts for many of the interesting properties we associate with water. By learning about surface tension and adhesive forces, students learn why liquid jets of water break into droplets rather than staying in a...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Let's Make Silly Putty

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners make two different formulations of imitation Silly Putty with varying degrees of cross-linking. They witness how changes in the degree of cross-linking influence the putty properties.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: States of Matter

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A comprehensive lesson plan site that contains a number of activities to aid in teaching about the states and properties of matter and the difference between a physical and chemical change.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Polymers & Plastics: Classification & Models

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will use their prior knowledge about changes of matter including physical and chemical changes to examine and categorize various types of plastics (polymers). They will identify how their chemical properties allow them to have...
Activity
Other

The Science House: Combustion

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this experiment, students will observe that the weight of the product of combustion is greater than that of the starting material. Teacher's notes address the key concepts of this experiment.
Unit Plan
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Melting Ice

For Students 6th - 8th
Using temperature probes, students will monitor the temperature of melting ice cubes in different situations. This lab activity, allows students to view the procedure and answer questions online that can be saved and evaluated by the...
Activity
Other

Educational Innovations: Diaper Polymer Activities [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
What can you do with diaper polymer? Check out these six quick student experiments involving the chemical used in diapers.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Package Those Foods!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This activity provides students with the opportunity to create a food package for a specific food. The students have three components to focus on in the design of their food package. The package will have to keep the food clean, protect...
Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Serc: Mentos and Soda Eruptions: Lessons on Explosive Volcanic Eruptions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will learn about volcanic eruptions, the scientific method, gas saturation, and bubble nucleation by participating in a popular experiment with Mentos candies and soda.
Handout
San Diego Natural History Museum

San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters: Color

For Students 3rd - 8th
Don't be fooled! While color is one way to identify a mineral, it can often be misleading. Quartz is one example of a mineral that can change colors depending on its chemical make-up.
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Can Diamonds Be Melted or Dissolved?

For Students 9th - 10th
While diamonds are extremely hard and strong, they are not indestructible. Learn how diamonds can be burned, melted, or dissolved.