Science 4 Inquiry
A Whole New World: The Search for Water
Scholars find Earth won't support humans much longer and need to identify a planet with water to inhabit. They test four unknown samples and determine which is the closest to water. Then they explain and defend their results.
Science Matters
Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest
Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th lesson in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With limited materials and...
DiscoverE
Design a Wind Turbine
Discover the power of wind energy. Learners design, build, and test wind blades in a hands-on experiment. They analyze the results to determine if they can make any improvements before gathering as a class to discuss their designs.
Virginia Department of Education
Cell Parts
What do a bird, an egg, a rabbit, and a toad all have in common? This fun-filled resource explains the similarities and differences between cells and how all cells are similar, yet all are different. Learners begin by depicting a...
Curated OER
The Magical Diving Sub
First graders discuss and predict if a given object sinks or floats. They record their predictions on a data sheet. Pupils test the objects and organize them into floating/sinking groups. Students observe the floating and sinking of a...
Curated OER
Grand Designs And Great Failures
Students extend their understanding of floating, sinking, density, and buoyancy and apply it to the design and testing of ships. students discover that most ships are constructed very similarly-whether they are schooners or destroyers.
Curated OER
Candlemaking
There might not be a butcher or baker, but you'll have a class full of candlestick makers after a hands-on lesson plan about candles make from beeswax. After a brief history of where beeswax comes from, young artisans craft their own...
American Chemical Society
The Energy Efficiency of Heating Water
Can a small change in laboratory procedures save energy? Scholars test three different methods for heating water in a science lab. Then, they calculate the energy efficiency for each and compare them to determine which uses the least...
Curated OER
Alka-Seltzer Cannons
Fourth graders examine how to conduct a reliable scientific experiment so that the results are valid. They compare and contrast the reaction of Alka-Seltzer tables, one whole and one crushed, and time how long each takes to pop the top...
Curated OER
Give Me a Tall Ship
Sixth graders develop an understanding of floating, sinking, density, and buoyancy and apply it to the design of testing of ships.
Curated OER
Do You Know Bamboo?
Students understand the properties of Bamboo and what it can be used for. In this bamboo lesson, students with bamboo and compare and contrast to wood. Students share their findings.
Curated OER
Rolling Balls: Mass and Kinetic Energy
Middle schoolers identify the relationship between kinetic energy, mass, and velocity. Then they explain and graph the relationship between kinetic energy and mass. Students also predict the impact of objects of different mass and...
Curated OER
Nutrients In Chesapeake Bay
Students perform pH and turbidity test to determine water quality. In this environmental science lesson, students analyze NASA database on chlorophyll-a in the bay. They explain how a small river area affects Chesapeake Bay.
Cornell University
Solar Cells: Juice From Juice
Unleash the power of ... blackberries! Science superstars create solar cells using the juice of berries or leaves of a citrus tree in an engaging lab. In addition to offering a plethora of resources, the teacher's guide gives background...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Seed Match
Using this resource, your team of green thumbs discuss why plants are a part of a healthy diet and the different ways they are used in daily life. They then observe the characteristics of different seed as they attempt to match...
Curated OER
Keep It Cool
Young scholars complete a science experiment to study insulation, heat transfer, and permafrost. In this permafrost study lesson, students design and test a soda insulator. Young scholars graph their class data and discuss the results....
Curated OER
Big Beans, Little Beans
Middle schoolers measure and note the variation in the lengths of lima beans. They compare the growth rate of different sized beans.
Curated OER
Math, Chemistry, and Food
Students explore the effects of chemical reactions when cooking. Using the Internet, they research enzymes and then mix jello. They examine their results and test enzyme activity by adding pineapple to the jello. Finally, they test...
Curated OER
Primary Biological Content Area Covered
Students use the scientific method to make predictions about mold growth. In this fungus lesson plan, students use worksheets to help them illustrate predictions and graph mold growth from white to wheat bread. Students first...
Virginia Department of Education
Finding the Formula and Percent Composition
Do you have mole problems? If so, call Avogadro at 602-2140. The activity starts with pupils working independently to solve for molar mass of ionic compounds. Then they learn to solve for percent composition and later perform an...
Curated OER
Rockets on a Shoestring Budgut
Students work together to create rockets on a budget. They discover the limitations that real engineers face when designing and testing their products. They discuss their findings to complete the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Video Umpires
Learners play umpire in a baseball game. They video the umpire's calls and then examine the accuracy of a "line call" when compared to a taped record of a ball's exact impact location. They create a transcript of a fictional court case...
Curated OER
Erosion And the Cycling of Rocks And Minerals
Students investigate the concept of erosion by water in a problem solving activity. In small groups, they are assigned either sand, potting soil or rocks to construct a mountain that will hold up to a sprinkler can of water dripping on...
Curated OER
Topic: Math, Chemistry, and Food
Learners listen as the teacher tells the story of Sisyphus rolling the stone up the mountain. Students prepare two batches of jello, one with fresh pineapple, and one with canned pineapple. While the jello is setting, learners work on...