Curated OER
Mobius Strips
High schoolers discuss the scientific method and construct their own Mobius Strips. They examine their Mobius Strip, and write observations and a hypothesis on how many strips of paper they have when they cut the strip in half length-wise.
Scholastic
Lesson Four: The Earth, Layers of Earth
Get your hands dirty with a set of earth science activities! Class members delve into a hard-boiled egg to find the similarities to the earth's layers, create a papier-mâché model of the earth, craft a simulation of the earth's...
Curated OER
Digestive System, a Kinesthetic Lesson
Young scholars actively act out an aspect of the digestive tract on two parallel strips of tape on the floor 3-4 feet apart and width of classroom which represent the digestive tract.
PBS
Robo Arm
Future engineers create robotic arms like those on rovers built by NASA in the second instructional activity of the series. They test their devices by attempting to pick up and move cups to a specified location.
Curated OER
Tomato Exploration
Create tomatoes in 15-20 minutes using this fun and interactive lesson plan! Learners listen to a book about tomatoes (recommendations listed), and focus on the vocabulary word tomato. They count the syllables...
California Academy of Science
Sorting the Solar System
Scientists are always sorting and classifying objects based on their characteristics. In a hands-on learning activity, young space explorers work together to categorize solar system cards based on their properties. It is up to the...
Curated OER
Interactive Question Asker
Students practice studying chapters from a unit by creating an electric circuit. In this electronic studying lesson, students utilize a file folder, hole punch, foil, light bulb and battery to create a wired circuit behind answers...
Star Date
Astronomy Day from McDonald Observatory Solar System Scale Activity
Add a visual aid to your solar system lessons. Enthusiastic astronomers create a model depicting the nine planets and their distance from the sun.
Curated OER
Pocket Solar System
Motivate your class with this lesson plan. Learners explore the solar system and practice working with fractions using this resource. They construct scale models of our solar system, and use fractions to correctly configure the solar...
Curated OER
Take a Deep Breath: Air Today, Air Tomorrow
This is the introductory lesson in a series about air quality. Why is it so important that we breathe clean air? How can we make sure we're keeping our air clean? A discussion is the central idea of the lesson, and example questions are...
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: Bees
A Reading Adventure pack explores the busy life of bees. After reading a fiction and nonfiction text, scholars complete three hands-on activities. Participants invent a robot that can do the work of bees, cheers to hardworking bees with...
Curated OER
Those Busy, Buzz'n Worker Bees
Students research information on worker bees. In this insect lesson plan, students review the body parts of insects and how bees find flowers. They discuss compound and simple eyes and the life cycle of a worker bee.
Curated OER
Wild Moving Lizard Sculpture
Lizards are amazing! After a lesson on reptiles, take a look at this set of instructions. You'll be able to guide your class in making a paper lizard sculpture that moves. This idea also includes variations on the paper technique used...
Curated OER
Inherited Traits
Young scholars work with a partner to complete an inventory of their traits and compare and discuss their unique qualities. In this biology lesson, students determine percentages for the frequency of observed traits of classmates,...
Curated OER
Electricity
The presentation begins with a circuit building activity and two data tables for young scientists to copy and complete. Full of clever animations, it will definitely spark student interest! However, the information is incoherent. You may...
Curated OER
Paper Chromatography K-12 Experiment
Students study chromatography and how they can distinguish between the different pigments in a color. In this chromatography lesson students separate a mixture of dyes in soluble ink then record the colors they see.
Curated OER
Food Chain
Students discuss what makes plants grow and who eats the plants. They are asked where do we get all of our energy? Students are asked to draw and label a picture of the sun in the center of the yellow strip of paper. They are explained...
Curated OER
Insect Inquiries
Students explore the topic of insects. In this biology lesson plan, students develop a curiosity about the insect world. Students will collect and observe insects native to the area.
Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Students investigate chemical and physical changes. In this physical and chemical change lesson plan, students perform 3 experiments in the lab to observe changes in matter. They determine that no new substances are formed in physical...
Curated OER
Interactive Notes-"Electricity"
Students explore electricity. In this interactive electricity instructional activity, students create static electricity with balloons, observe the rate at which ice melts to identify conductors and insulators, and create a static...
Curated OER
Why is Summer Hot?
Students examine how variations in temperature are due to the Sun and length of day. In this solar lesson students complete a lab activity using thermometers and artificial sunlight to see how the earth is heated.
Curated OER
Floating Fishes: Boat Sinking Lab
Cut milk cartons in half to make boats and let investigators attempt to sink them. They add dividing walls and observe what happens if marbles are put into only one of the newly formed compartments. Vocabulary is provided: buoyant force,...
Curated OER
Physical Changes of Matter
Students solve a mystery using evidence gathered during a science investigation. In this physical changes lesson, students analyze a note written in marker to determine the physical changes the ink from the pen underwent....
Curated OER
Is It Breathable?
Students explore air quality. In this environmental lesson, students observe a simulation of air pollution by blowing into a jar (with a straw) that has chalk dust. Students discuss how air quality can effect the way we breathe.