American Chemical Society
Combustion and Burning
On Earth, a candle flame points up, but on the International Space Station, it forms a sphere. Young scientists practice their skills by recording observations before, during, and after a candle burns. Chemical and physical...
Curated OER
Cells - The Basic Unit of Life
Introduce students to cells, and their many parts in this biology presentation. Students see that plant and animal cells have many of the same type of structures, but also have many differences as well. They will be challenged to state...
Curated OER
Nuclear Chemistry Project
Radiation has numerous real-world applications, some of which are relatively safe while others can be extremely hazardous. In this nuclear chemistry project, young scientists choose a practical use of nuclear reactions to...
CK-12 Foundation
Broken-Line Graphs: Heating Curve of Water
Examine the unique graphs coined broken-line graphs. Using the phase change of water for data, learners answer questions related to the temperature and energy at different times in the cycle of the phase change. Questions focus on the...
Curated OER
Chemistry of Carbon: Building Blocks of Life
After giving basic details about the properties of Carbon, some of the common functional groups and molecules are featured. There are some details about specific functions and impact on the human body. The diagrams are helpful and could...
NOAA
Ocean Zones
How can organisms light up in water? Bioluminescence is light produced in a chemical reaction that can occur in an organism's body. First, learners determine what happens to light/color as you move into the deep ocean. In groups, they...
Curated OER
A Snapshot of Science
Sixth graders explore physical and chemical changes. In this physical science lesson, 6th graders study vocabulary, discuss the changes they see in the world and look up information on chemical and physical changes. Students create...
Curated OER
Grass as Biomass
Students explore energy properties by listening to a sustainability lecture in class. For this biomass lesson, students identify what biomass is, how it can be transformed into a usable energy and how it complements the energy cycle....
National Energy Education Development Project
Exploring Hybrid School Bus Technology
The color School Bus Yellow was created in 1939 because science had proven peripheral vision detects yellow 1.24 times faster than other colors. Young scientists explore modern school bus transportation options and then discuss the...
Curated OER
Location of Electrons
In this location of electrons activity, students read about the quantum mechanical model of the atom and the location of electrons. They complete a table given eleven elements with the sublevel notation, the Bohr notation and the orbital...
Curated OER
Making Energy "trails"
Students explore ten different stations that demonstrate either chemical, kinetic, or mechanical energy. They examine the way energy is transferred during each station's hands-on activity. Stations include vinegar and baking soda,...
Curated OER
Food Energy and Nutrients
In this food energy and nutrients instructional activity, students fill in the blank and complete a chart with information about food energy and essential nutrients needed for the body. Using the Nelson text, students complete a chart...
Curated OER
The Energy of Music
Students discover how engineers use sound energy. They participate in hands-on activities in which they discover how we know sound exists. They identify different pitches and frequencies as well.
Curated OER
Transforming Food Energy: A Balancing Act
Young scholars explain their role as consumers. They use a purchased calorimeter or make their own simple calorimeter to measure the energy content in selected foods. This interesting lesson really gets students thinking about what they...
Curated OER
Energy From Space: The Next Frontier
Middle schoolers investigate ideas for getting energy from space. In this space-based power lesson, students read articles about ideas for alternatives to fossil fuels. Middle schoolers define and give examples of vocabulary words....
Curated OER
Heat Energy and Water
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between heat and temperature. In groups, they determine the best way to melt ice without touching the ice. They record their observations and compare them with other groups. To end the lesson...
Curated OER
Strange Sounds
Learners investigate sound as a form of energy. In this energy, forces, and sound lesson plan, students explore how different sounds may be made as they make a variety of materials vibrate. Learners observe the effects of vibrations and...
Curated OER
In the Eye of the Hurricane
For this science worksheet, students read about temperature and thermal energy in a hurricane. Students also draw their own hurricane and label 5 different parts.
Curated OER
Lighten Up!
Third graders observe light as a form of energy, that it can be reflected/bounced, refracted/bent and absorbed. They explore how different types of light affect our lives as a whole. Songs are researched that involve light (ex. "You...
Curated OER
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Fifth graders explore how energy changes from one form to another within their surroundings. They explore how kinetic and potential energy relate to each other and the ability to do work. Students observe example of both kinetic and...
Curated OER
Our Energy
Fifth graders research energy sources used in the United States. In this energy sources lesson, 5th graders work in teams to research various energy sources. Students complete a worksheet for the research and make a short video of a...
Curated OER
Let's Learn About Energy Sources
Second graders identify at least four energy sources through sensory experiences.
University of Rhode Island
How Does the Human Body Use Energy during Various Athletic Activities?
Students investigate how much energy is used during different athletic activities. They conduct Internet research to obtain information on the top three athletic sporting events from around the world, and calculate the calories burned...
Curated OER
Energy Costs of Walking and Running
For this energy worksheet, students use a data chart comparing the energy used while running and walking to create a graph and complete 2 short answer questions.