Lesson Plan
Energy for Keeps

Getting Current: Generating Electricity Using a Magnet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Give your class a magnetic charge with this creative experiment designed to teach emerging scientists about electromagnetism. Pupils construct a model that demonstrates the function of an electrical generator and test this creation in a...
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

How Can Clouds Keep the Air Warmer?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Condensing water warms the air around it. Young scholars consider this concept as they experiment with air temperature around evaporating and condensing water vapor. They simulate the formation of clouds to experience the associated...
Lesson Plan
Bowland

Sundials!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Time to learn about sundials. Scholars see how to build sundials after learning about Earth's rotation and its relation to time. The unit describes several different types of possible sundials, so choose the one that fits your needs — or...
Graphic
PBS

The Planets of the Solar System

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Launch a lesson that's sure to capture middle schoolers' interest! Exploration enthusiasts examine the planets of our solar system using an activity from PBS's Space series. The resource includes images and information for each planet,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Solar System Lab

For Students 8th
In this solar system instructional activity, 8th graders make a scale model of the solar system, answer 5 questions and write a conclusion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes Rock!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the main methods to measure earthquakes; the Richter Scale and Mercalli Scale. They make a model of a seismograph and investigate which structural designs are most likely to survive an earthquake.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels (III), The Geology of Coal: Interpreting Geologic History

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students hypothesize about why various samples of coal have different characteristics. Pupils use information that they found during Internet searches to ascertain the validity of their hypotheses and verify the "story" of coal. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Composition

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars examine soil. In this soil composition lesson students participate in soil sedimentation and filtration activities. The young scholars discuss what non-living and living things are in soil and why it is so important.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstrating Moon Phases

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders participate in a demonstration of the moon's phases. In this moon phase lesson, 3rd graders watch as the teacher demonstrates moon phases with a bright light and a Styrofoam ball. They answer questions associated with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct a controlled investigation to determine the length of the sun's shadow on a fixed object (i.e., flagpole, telephone pole, etc.) over a three-day period (one day in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graham Cracker Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this plate tectonics worksheet, students use Graham crackers, frosting, water and a paper plate to simulate tectonic processes such as convergent, divergent and transforming plate boundaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetic Fields and Bermuda Triangles

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students map magnetic fields of a magnet using a compass and predict where fields cancel each other to create 'Bermuda Triangles'. In this magnetism lesson, students use a compass to map the magnetic field of a magnet. They explain how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kids Conserve? Water Preserved

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study conservation and how cities obtain their water.  In this water instructional activity students view a PowerPoint presentation and draw a picture of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ABCs of Endangered Species

For Teachers K - 8th
Students create an ABC Book of Endangered Animals that includes locator maps, "fast facts," and explanations about why those animals are endangered.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students understand the process of recycling. They investigate how it improves the environment. They read the story "Don't Pollute" by Stan and Jan Berenstein. They analyze trash and sort it into bins.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sizing Up the Supersize Croc

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine and compare traits of humans and crocodiles.  In this crocodile lesson plan students use a ratio to estimate the height of a person and compare that to a crocodile. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wind Energy

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore wind energy by making a pinwheel to model a wind turbine. They experiment with their turbine by placing it in different locations for optimal energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Particulate Matter: The Lorax

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Young scholars explore air pollution. In this ecology lesson, students participate in an experiment in which 5 numbered jar lids are placed outside. Young scholars bring one lid a day in until all jars are inside. Dirt specks are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution is Not a Solution

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the environment by completing science worksheets in class. For this water conservation lesson, students identify ways water is used in our society and how we abuse the privilege. Students discuss methods to reduce water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Giving Tree

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore wants and needs. In this ecology and economics lesson plan, students listen to the story The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and compile a class list of what the boy got from the tree. Learners categorize these items as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shake, Rattle and Roll

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare the weathering of different-sized materials. Comparisons are made and data analyzed to reach conclusions about the process of weathering. Applications can be made for the higher grades.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle Game

For Teachers K - 5th
Students study the path and forms of water through Earth. In this water cycle lesson, students role-play water as it moves throughout the Earth. Students play the water cycle game and complete various stations to learn about water forms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soiled Again

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students propose and perform an experiment using the scientific method. The purpose of the experiment is to discern some earth materials or combinations of earth materials that best increases the pH of "acid rain". From the results of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outdoor Observation

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore Earth science by participating in a nature observation activity. In this four seasons lesson, 2nd graders identify the four seasons on Earth and the weather patterns they are known for. Students read several books...

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