Science Matters
Forms of Energy
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first lesson in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in order...
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Homopolar Motor Experiments
Students construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
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Reed Switch
Students build simple electromagnetic reed switch motors. For this physics lesson, students explain how it works. They cite real world applications of reed switches and relays.
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Maglev Trains
Students explore how Maglev trains work. In this technology instructional activity, students discuss the pros and cons of Maglev compared to conventional trains. They build a simple Maglev train model.
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Going My Way?
Young scholars, in groups, study how a magnet works and how people use the Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves.
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Motion and Forces
Eighth graders define the terms: magnetism, poles, compass, magnetic field, lines of force, electromagnet. They name two properties shared by all magnets and describe how one magnet will affect another.
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Let There Be Light
Fifth graders explore electricity. In this electricity lesson, 5th graders experiment with open and closed circuits. Students determine how to properly connect a battery and bulb to illuminate the bulb.
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Physical Science: Solar Energy
Students review and discuss how Solar energy and electricity produce light and heat. They create a photo/picture journal and include pictures taken during solar energy activities to a PowerPoint slide presentation.
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Opposites Attract
Learners examine the properties of magnets and static electricity. They participate in experiments that demonstrate the behaviors of charged particles, and record their data on a worksheet.
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Discovery Science Center Activities
Fourth graders complete a variety of experiments to meet science goals. In this life sciences instructional activity, 4th graders make yogurt, discover the attraction of opposite charges in electricity, learn the effects of...
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What is the Underlying Causality of a Simple Circuit?
Students explore simple circuitry. They compare four models of circuits and explain how each works. Students contrast the cyclic cequential and cyclic simultaneous models using a shower curtain illustration and software simulation.
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Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Building Blocks of Planets
Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy instructional activity, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of...
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History of Physics
In this history worksheet, young scholars use the questions to discover meaningful science and history connections. The worksheet is meant to be viewed online to access individual answers.
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Two Sides of One Force
Students learn how simple electric motors and electromagnets work. In this electromagnets lesson, students learn about electromagnetics and how magnets and electricity are related. They also learn about hybrid gasoline electric cars and...
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Pushes and Pulls
Students recognize different types of movement and causes that my affect the movement. They know that pushes and pulls are types of forces.
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Plants and Animals in the Local Environment
Students recognize the different types of plants and animals living in a local environment. They determine how they require different habitats to live, and relate simple life processes to plants and animals found in local environments.
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Light and Shadows
Students participate in an online lesson to determine how light travels from a source, and to explain that shadows form when light travelling from a source is blocked.
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Forces and Movement
Students examine types of forces and movements. They identify different causes that can affect movement and speed. They create their own predictions about they believe to be the outcome of an experiment.
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Sorting and Using Materials
Students practice sorting and classifying objects. In groups, they choose a variety of materials and describe how each one looks and feels. They must agree on how to classify each object and share their groupings with the class. They...
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Light and Shadows
Students observe and record the apperacne of shadows and how their position and shpae changes during the course of the day. Students measure and record the length oof a partner's shadow at different intervals during the day. In pairs,...
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Interdependence and adaptation
Students use keys to identify animals and plants in local habitats. Students are asked if they remember what the word habitat means. Students make a list of three different local habitats and brainstorm animals and plants they might...