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Make a Refrigerator
Third graders explore the concept of heat transfer as experienced in wearing winter clothing and analyzing the refrigerator.
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Things Are Heating Up!
Third graders study how heat is produced from mechanical and electrical machines and human activities.
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Clustering
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of clustering. In groups, they use their new science vocabulary words to put into a web or cluster. To end the lesson, they read a book related to electricity and write the definitions of any...
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Power Metering Project
Students collect and analyze variable data and understand the concept of electrical power. In this energy lesson students use a spreadsheet to manage their data and create box plots.
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Making an Electromagnet
Learners explore electromagnetic forces. In this electromagnetic lesson plan, students construct a working electromagnet and conduct a series of experiments to see what increases the strength of an electromagnet.
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Three Switches
Young scholars describe the types and parts of a circuit. They discover three types of electrical switches and create a chart showing the many uses for each type of switch.
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The Little Orange Rooster
Third graders brainstorm a list of heat sources they are aware of. After listening to a story, they identify the different types of machines mentioned and sort them based on whether they run on gasoline or electricity. To end the...
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Circuit City
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of circuits and how electricity works. In groups, they design their own subdivision with houses in which they have inside and outside light sources. To end the instructional activity, they...
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Hazardous Waste
Students define technology and relate the definition to the production of electricity using nuclear energy. They also list the technologies involved and relate the use of these technologies to their effect on society in general, and...
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Swamp Thing
Students create a build-it-yourself boat that runs on two small electric motors. Swamp Thing has an electronic brain that can be controlled and steered with a flashlight.
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TECH:Photovoltaics
Young scholars identify uses of photovoltaic solar cells in our society today. They discover the potential of solar cells by using them to produce electricity in different applications. In addition, the make observations and measurements.
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Environment: Waste Walk
Students assess the positive and negative affects of humans on the environment. The lesson explores ways in which individuals and societies can reduce the negative impact on the environment. By taking a "waste walk" around their campus,...
Outdoor Learning Center
Outdoor Survival
Which of the following can you survive without for the longest time: water, food, or a positive mental attitude? The answer may surprise you. Guide learners of all ages through games, activities, and discussions about surviving in the...
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Effects of the Sun on Our Planet (Grades 2-4)
Students observe how the sun's rays can cause evaporation and discuss its role in the weather cycle. They discover what the sun's energy brings to plants. They examine how different types of technology can enhance the amount of solar...
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Lighting Instruments from the Inside Out
High schoolers examine theatrical lighting instruments to see how light is controlled, and write a paragraph telling of their discoveries.
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Breezy Energy
Third graders view photos of machines that measure wind energy and chart what they observe in the pictures and the questions they have about the pictures. In this wind energy lesson, 3rd graders make a pinwheel. Students show the...
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Rock On!
Fourth graders make models of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks out of different types of candy and cookies.
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Marble Grab Bag: Certainly? Maybe? Impossible?
Second graders use a hands-on activity and a data chart to explain the certainty, probability, or impossibility of drawing a particular color of marble from a bag. This lesson comes with an excellent website, and many good worksheets...
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Let's Have a Fiesta!
First graders plan a Mexican fiesta, create a paper flower and cook a tortilla to eat with a fruit drink. They listen to Gary Soto's, Too Many Tamales and June Behrens', Fiesta! Cinco de Mayo.
University of Colorado
The Jovian Basketball Hoop
Can you listen to Jupiter on a simple radio? Turns out the answer is yes! The resource instructs scholars to build a simple radio to pick up the radio waves created when the charged particles from the sun hit Jupiter's magnetic...
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Magnetism and the Magnetic Force
Fourth graders investigate magnetism and the magnetic force.
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Outdoor Survival
Students are introduced to basic outdoor survival concepts. They identify the seven basic needs for survival. Students describe the symptoms and treatment for frostbite and hypothermia. They compare and contrast the value of different...
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The Water Cycle
Students are introduced to the components and importance of the water cycle. They are shown how groundwater moves using a model. Students list 9 places on earth where water is found. They define the terms cycle and water cycle.
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What Is the Matter with Water?
Second graders observe matter in all 3 states : liquid, solid and gas, in an ice cream soda. In teams, they are given ice and teams compete to be the first to melt their ice. Winner gets the ice cream soda. They draw examples of 3 states...