NASA
Taking Apart the Light
Break down light into spectra. Scholars learn how atoms emit and absorb photons and come to understand how this process allows scientists to identify different atoms based on either absorption lines or emission lines. Learners then...
Curated OER
Identifying, Mapping, and Personifying Countries Involved in WWII
Get artsy with this WWII group activity, starting with a whole-class assignment. Create a map of Europe, Northern Africa, and the Pacific using geometric shapes cut from construction paper and placed on the floor. Consider splitting the...
Curated OER
Putting Back the Pieces
Seventh graders become museum conservators and undertake the hypothetical restoration of an ancient American work of art. Groups design a plan for reconstructing the work of art, outlining the steps they need to take and the materials...
Curated OER
Countries Involved in World War II
Students create their own floor map of Europe, Northern Africa, and the Pacific. They locate, identify, and speak for one of the countries involved. In addition, they classify the country they represent as an Axis Power or as an Allied...
Curated OER
Nature and Place Names in Arkansas
Middle schoolers examine the way that many place names in Arkansas came to be. By looking at Arkansas highway maps, they find names that come from the characteristics of each of the state's six geographical divisions. This interesting...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension 4: level 9
Whether you use this reading comprehension activity as the basis for a short lesson on comprehension strategies or for additional practice, the passage about tricky octopi is sure to engage the interest of your young scientists.
Exploratorium
Soap Film Painting
If you are up for constructing a wooden frame, you can do this demonstration of the interference patterns when light reflects off of layers of soapy film. Both constructive and destructive interference can be seen as evidenced by the...
Choose My Plate
MyPlate Word Blanks
Create a silly cooking themed story using nouns, adjectives, verbs, and more! Pupils fill in the blanks using their knowledge of different types of fruit, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy, then read the story aloud to hear a...
Curated OER
San Francisco Bay Watershed
Students examine relief maps of California and discuss the San Francisco Bay watershed. Discussion continues with the class helping complete a journey of water through seasons in a "finish my sentences" style lecture. They label rain...
Curated OER
The Sky Show
Students use lecture and research to answer the question: Why is the sky blue? students research a variety of other sky phenomena, chart their observations and participate in experiments.
Curated OER
Testing Growth of Algae
Students participate in an experiment in which they test the growing rate of algae. They test the algae in different elements recording their observations. They share their results with the class and discuss.
Curated OER
Mapping a Stream
Pupils map an actual local waterway. They create full color scale drawings that include windfalls, plant cover, streambed composition, and landmarks such as trees, boulders, and slumps. This is a long-term project that involves...
Curated OER
Taster of Non-Taster?
Students investigate their own inherited traits by using taste papers. In this genetic traits lesson, students test their ability to taste various substances, which is determined by inherited genetic traits. They take home taste papers...
Curated OER
Chromatography - Chemical Separation of Colors
Third graders use the scientific method as they separate the colors used in ink. In this chromatography lesson, the teacher introduces students to how chromatography is used in several careers, then students perform an experiment to see...
Curated OER
Northwest Native American Art
Eighth graders first study the art of the U.S. Northwestern Coast Native American peoples. They select an image or make their own and make a drawing and then make a 6-inch linoleum block print.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
DNA Extraction
What does your DNA actually look like? Use simple materials with this experiment to find out! Geneticists of all ages can follow these instructions to extract their own DNA. For learners who are hoping to extend the activity, there are...
Curated OER
Soil Stories
Tenth graders collect and analyze soil samples and extrapolate the characteristics needed to support different types of plant life. They research different types of prairie soil and how it supports plant and animal life.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
This relatively short PowerPoint contains all of the information necessary to give a clear summary of Photosynthesis. There are a few illustrations and clear descriptions of each stage of the main reactions.
Curated OER
Complete the Story with Homographs
Why are homographs so tricky? They have the same spelling, but they have different meanings. After completing this reading passage with the correct words, look at each homograph listed and encourage your class members to find the...
Curated OER
Wet or Dry Experiment
Practice the scientific process by testing whether mealworms prefer a wet or dry environment. This is an engaging experiment to use as an example of how to go through the steps of the scientific method. Elementary schoolers can work in...
Curated OER
Adinkra Cloth
Students locate Ghana on a map of Africa and discover features of Ghana culture. They synthesize the importance of Adinkra symbols and cloth to the people of West Africa and design an Adinkra cloth.
Curated OER
Coffee Filter Eggs
Students make coffee filter eggs. In this art activity, students cut coffee filters into egg shapes. Food coloring is added to water and students drop the colors onto the eggs using a eyedropper. Students allow the filters to dry and...
Curated OER
Manatee
In this science learning exercise, students color in the picture of the manatee and read the fact sheet that focuses upon its classification.
Curated OER
Cloud Viewer
Fourth graders examine different types of clouds. In this cloud lesson, 4th graders examine pictures of different types of clouds and read details about them in the captions under the images. They make a cloud viewer by cutting out the...