Curated OER
Orienteering - The Fundamentals
Students investigate the concept of a compass and it has been used in the past and in modern times. They practice using it in the wilderness in order to test its importance in various exploring activities. Each activity is accompanied by...
Curated OER
Detecting Meteors by Radio in the Classroom
Twelfth graders describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies (Unit E) They explain the role of radio and optical telescopes in determining characteristics of stars and...
Curated OER
The Sociological Detective
Students conduct research in order to debate a topic. In this sociology lesson plan, students conduct research regarding 4 types of schools. Students prepare to debate a topic of their choice.
Curated OER
The Water Detectives
Students collect water samples from designated sampling stations, and discuss water pollution. They analyze the water samples, record the data on a spreadsheet, and present the environmental water quality data to the class.
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Investigating Fingerprints
Students observe that each individual possesses a unique set of fingerprints. The Magic School Bus series of books, "Inside the Human Body," is used in conjunction with this lesson plan.
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Science Detectives
Fifth graders examine the differences between chemical and physical changes. As a class, they are read a scenerio and determine whether it was deliberate act or not. In groups, they observe the changes of an alka-seltzer tablet and...
Curated OER
Can You Detect Bias?
Eleventh graders recognize some, but not all ethical processes (e.g., independent verification, clarifying assumptions, disclosing conflicts of interest) that shape scientific endeavors. Students build awareness of how various sources...
PBS
Who Knows Best
Finding an expert in a given field when conducting research can be a challenge. This guide provides step-by-step directions as well as links to resources that help young sleuths find the authorities and experts they need. As a bonus, two...
Virginia Department of Education
DNA Extraction from Strawberries
Has your class ever been astounded by the complexity of DNA analysis? Have they ever asked why genetic engineering has become so important to our daily lives? Young scientists perform DNA extraction on strawberries and explore how the...
Curated OER
The Air We Breathe
Students discover the cuases of pollution. They investigate different pollutants that exist. Stsudents research technologies developed by engineers to reduce the amounts of air pollution. Upon completion of assigned activities,...
Curated OER
It's Not Conjecture, Look! It's Architecture!
Students examine how architecture reflects historical time periods. They conduct research on the History Detectives website, complete a fact sheet, sequence photographs of different architectural styles, and create an illustration of a...
Curated OER
Toxicology And Human Health
High schoolers examine the clinical effects of environmental toxicants on living organisms by collecting and analyzing scientific data and identifying ways of detection and diagnosis.
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Infectious Disease Case Study
Students list the steps an epidemiologist takes to detect a pathogen. They role-play as scientists as they investigate the cause of the outbreak in Japan during 1996.
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Esters: The Secret of Natural and Synthetic Fragrances
Students investigate esters, make an ester and detect esters in natural foods and plants. For this esters lesson plan, students detect smells of hidden objects, produce an ester using peas, brown sugar and apple and demonstrate how to...
Curated OER
Murder Mystery
High schoolers examine how to capture foot prints while they simulate a criminal investigation. They discover how the clues are needed for identifying or eliminating murder suspects.
PBS
Primary Sources
Students see how to use primary and secondary sources to investigate history. Whether it is a photograph, book, map, letter, postcard, newspaper, or official document, students can use sources to reconstruct and relive history.
Curated OER
Everything Was Up to Date in 1628
Students examine the life and lifestyles of New England colonists in the year 1628, and then investigate what life was like in their own area during the same time period. After watching segments from the PBS history series, "Colonial...
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Post-Civil War American History
Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics...
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The Mysterious Plant Caper
Students investigate the basic parts of plant and that plants are living things which require water, air, light and nutrients for survival. They do this through a series of scientific experiements and multi-curricular hands-on activities.
Curated OER
4-H Food Science- Intermediate Activity
In this nutrition worksheet set, students complete a dinner detective nutrient fill in the blank, a food safety true or false page, and plan a picnic with food safety rules in mind. They investigate careers that involve food safety.
PBS
Women's History: Clara Barton
Students investigate Clara Barton's contributions to society. In this Clara Barton lesson plan, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding Clara Barton's life and her possible authorship of a Civil War...
Curated OER
Lesson on GPS
Students investigate global positioning systems. In this technology and mapping instructional activity, students view a PowerPoint presentation in which they identify the features of a GPS, state its uses, and follow steps to find a...
Curated OER
Ecology Lessons
Young scholars examine the relationship between animal adaptations, habitats and community interactions. In this ecology lesson students complete a skull detective worksheet then use their knowledge to analyze a skull.
Curated OER
Catch a Rainbow
Second graders listen to a book read to them entitled, WHAT MAKES A RAINBOW and recall and describe their five senses and what parts of their bodies use their five senses and then complete the Catch a Rainbow activity sheet using a...