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Science Fair Unit
Eighth graders explore the scientific method. After choosing an approved science fair project, 8th graders go through the scientific method process. Students gather information to analyze data and evaluate a conclusion. They write a...
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Fossil Fuels (Part II), The Geology of Oil
More of a mini-unit than a activity, these activities lead inquisitors through a survey of oil deposits. In the first part, they read about and view diagrams of sedimentary rock layers that trap oil. Next, they test porosity and...
Minnesota Literacy Council
Scientific Method
Here is a resource with a descriptive approach to explaining the scientific method. It's simple, but effective for both introduction and reinforcement of this concept.
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Forces in Action
Young scholars investigate questions centered around force and motion by going through the scientific process and creating fair tests and experimentation. In this lesson about forces-in-action, students diagram their findings and explore...
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Friction
Students explore friction as a force that slows moving objects, explain conclusions in terms of the roughness or smoothness of surfaces, relate results to predictions, and begin to know how to plan a fair test.
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Biodegradable Plastics
Students prepare a type of biodegradable plastic. They design method(s) to compare its properties with some common plastics that are readily available in the market. They later advance to identifying variables in an experiment and fair...
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors
Students research energy conservation devices. They also create their own light efficiency project and presents their findings on science fair night.
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Types of Bonding Lab
Chemistry lab learners experiment to identify a series of unknown compounds. They choose which tests to perform, but you may suggest melting or boiling point, solubility, electrical conductivity, and malleability. This is a terrific...
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2005 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad - Local Section Exam
National Chemistry Olympiad tests are released after their use each year, since they cannot use them again for this event. The result: outstanding comprehensive assessment resources for general chemistry classes! This 2005 version covers...
Growing Minds
Growing Minds: Cabbage Exploration
It's all about cabbage in this scientific observation resource! After reading a related story, learners explore three varieties of cabbage. They observe the leaves using a leaf diagram, predicting what the middle might look like. They...
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Consumer Product Testing
Eighth graders watch segments of CBS's Street Cents and discuss approaches used on the program. They create standards for various items and learn why they are important to have. They test different fabrics to explore clothing standards.
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Fairly Simple Mineral Identification Exercise
Students perform simple field tests on a variety of minerals and use their results and a given data chart to determine which mineral each specimen is.
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Adhesion of Caulks to Surface - Testing Product Quality
Students investigate quality products. In this Physical Science lesson plan, students will test three different types of caulking. The students are looking for the caulk with the best adhesion after two days of curing.
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Quality of Life Investigations: Risk Reductions
Students participate in a discussion of recent environmental issues affecting their own community or ones nearby. In groups, they research the role of food additives and the purpose of adding them to foods. They also determine their...
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Project Energy
Learners explore multiple types of energy. In this energy lesson, students prepare a science fair project through completing a WebQuest. Learners investigate radiant, thermal, and biochemical energy.
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The Nature of Science and Technology
Second graders perform a variety of experiments to observe, form conclusions, and make inferences. In this experiment lesson, 2nd graders experiment based on the result of a pre-assessment. Students share what they have learned.
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Friction
Learners review what force. In this science lesson, students determine which surfaces are rough and which are smooth by observing how an object moves on each surface.
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A Valid Conclusion? Testing and Reporting on Hypotheses Using the Scientific Method
Students explore importance of accuracy in reporting, focusing particularly on articles documenting scientific discoveries, and practice scientific method by conducting experiments to test and report on scientific hypotheses.
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Testing for Vitamin C in Different Drinks and Foods
Students examine the importance of vitamin c in their diets and the sources that it comes from. In this vitamin activity students complete hands on activities, interpret data and make a bar graph.
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FLIGHT FAIR
Young scholars conduct their personal investigations into paper airplane flight. Cooperative teams are formed, with students choosing the paper airplane design that they are most interested in building.
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Room Temperature Investigation
While the topic of this investigation is not specific to any particular discipline of science, it does serve as a practice of the scientific method. Learners set up a bowl containing boiling water, one with room temperature water, and...
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The Scientific Method
Students study the steps involved in the scientific method. They apply the scientific method to their science fair projects.
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Science Fair Projects
Coming up with ideas for Science Fair projects might seem daunting, but there are many lessons that can get students on the right track.
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Which Material is Best for Muffling Sound?
Two professors, Big-Hair and Bee-Hive, cannot do their work because the alarm clock won't stop ringing! Young scientists perform an experiment to help them wrap the clock in the best material for muffling the sound. This is a clever...