Curated OER
Where Have All the Glaciers Gone?
Fourth graders discover that scientists examine evidence from around the world in order to explain global climate change. They see that records of climate change exist, and describe photographs interpreting changes in glaciers over time.
Curated OER
Blooming Thermometers
Young scholars study phenology, or the study of climate change. They research the Japanese springtime festival of Hanami and plot and interpret average cherry blossom bloom date data from the past 1100 years.
Curated OER
Ohm's Laws
Students explore the relationship of resistance, voltage and current in series and parallel circuits. Then they discover Ohm's Law by constructing series circuits with one resistor and putting the resultant resistance, current and...
Curated OER
Capacitors
Learners explain the concepts of charge storage and how a capacitor works. They construct a capacitor and measure the stored charge using the appropriate equipment and measurements. They also demonstrate capacitance and how it can be...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Spectrum/Spectroscopy
Students examine the electromagnetic spectrum and demonstrate the elements within. In this investigative lesson plan students complete a demonstration and calculate the energy of a photon.
Curated OER
Looking into the Past (Archaeology)
Students discover how to be an archaeologist. In this archaeology instructional activity, students research the basic information about an archaeologist. Students then observe different artifacts and learn what questions to ask in order...
Curated OER
Mercury, Venus, and Earth
Students learn information about the planets Mercury, Venus, and Earth by playing a trivia game.
Curated OER
Rocks in our Backyard
Students examine igneous and sedimentary rocks. They observe and identify geological formations in their community, analyze igneous and sedimentary geological layers using a geological map, and use GPS to locate geological formations.
Curated OER
Asteroids
Young scholars examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.
Curated OER
The Endocrine System: Who Is In Control Here?
Students participate in hands-on activities to explore the endocrine system. Students research and write about the endocrine system to demonstrate their knowledge. Handouts and worksheets are included in the lesson.
Curated OER
Many Happy Returns
Young scholars compare the journey of Lewis and Clark with the space flight of Apollo 11. Students sequence events using a timeline. Young scholars write a persuasive essay trying to persuade the people of the US to support space...
Curated OER
All in the (Insect) Family
Students participate in a series of activities in order to explore the diversity of insects. They explore how insects are grouped and categorized.
Curated OER
Sky Watching
Students examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky. In this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.
Curated OER
The Five Senses
Students explore their five senses. In this senses lesson, students explore mystery boxes and use only one sense to determine what is inside the box. Examples of items in the mystery boxes include maracas, lemons, and cherry lotion.
Curated OER
Weathering Landforms
Stduents create and color plaster landforms, and describe how weathering and erosion change the Earth's surface.
Curated OER
Learning From Leaves: From Observation to Inference
Young scholars examine the adaptation of plants to their environments. They analyze and observe the structure, shape, and internal structure of various leaves, and make inferences about the structures.
Curated OER
Constellation Companions
Students research the star composition for a constellation after a brainstorming session suggesting why humans have organized the night sky into constellation patterns. They use the research to create their own constellation and myth...
Curated OER
Molar Mass
Students apply the ideal gas law and Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure to develop an experiment which determine the molar mass of butane from disposable lighters. In small groups, they develop a procedure and have it approved before...
Curated OER
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Students tour Chandra's top galactic X-ray images. For this Chandra X-Ray Observatory lesson, students play games and complete puzzles based on the Chandra Mission and X-Ray Astronomy. Students listen to pod casts, question an...
Curated OER
Archimedes' Principle
Students examine the relationship between density and buoyancy. In this physics lesson students use Archimedes' Principle to complete calculations on buoyancy and a lab activity.
Curated OER
Dinosaurs - Physical Characteristics
Pupils describe the physical characteristics of dinosaurs, compare and contrast the evolution of land, and they explore the extinction of dinosaurs.
Curated OER
Discovering Planet X
Learners investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Learners compare their data to that found on a website.
Curated OER
Forestry Suppliers
Students explore the scientific reasons that certain types of foods cause different reactions when they interact with the tongue. They analyze the differences between acids and basics. The experiment is performed at three different sites...
Curated OER
Habits of Mind
Students study tree leaves to complete the activity, In this tree leaf experiment instructional activity, students observe, measure, and sort tree leaves individually, in groups, and in relationship to the entire tree.