New York State University
Law of Conservation of Energy
Become energy efficient with a presentation that covers the Law of Conservation of Energy with friction. It also includes energy transformations, power, and units of measurement.
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Conductivity Lessons
"Conduct" some simple experiments with these great lesson plans on conductors and insulators!
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Greenhouse Effect: A Computer Simulation
Students complete an online simulation of the greenhouse effect. In this lesson on the greenhouse effect, students use a website, similar to a webquest, to simulate and answer questions on how the greenhouse effect works. This lesson is...
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Mystery Powder Lab
In this mystery powder worksheet, students determine the identify of 6 unknown samples by testing them with cabbage juice for pH, vinegar, iodine for starch and heat. Students determine the identity of the mystery powders using their...
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Am I Hot or Am I Cold?
Students practice using a thermometer to determine how the air around the earth gets heated and cooled by the sun. Students chart the daily inside and outside temperature for two weeks.
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Rat Round Up
Students build a device that captures and carries a pet rat safely back to its cage with out "harming" the rat or themselves. They build and experiment with wind-up or battery operated rat cat toys after predicting the outcome of their...
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Circle of Pong
Young scholars, in groups, use given materials to devise a way to deposit a ping-pong ball into a paper cup that is located in the middle of a 6-foot diameter circle, while standing outside the circle.
Teach Engineering
Energy Forms, States and Conversions
Even magicians can't make energy disappear. In a discussion-based instructional activity, young scientists learn about energy forms and conversions. They see how energy is neither created nor destroyed; it just changes forms. This is the...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How Can Work Be Done with Water Power? Activity C
Third in a set of lessons regarding reservoirs, dams, and hydropower, this involves a two-day hydropower plant simulation. Collaborative groups build, maintain, and finance the plant. The transparency of the reservoir setup can be...
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Free Up the Ketchup!
Students, in teams, use given materials and their knowledge of Newton's First Law to create a device that will remove a sticky ping pong ball from a 16-oz. cup (which represents ketchup stuck in a bottle.)
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Simplicity of Electricity
Students examine how to make an electrical circuit. They listen to a teacher led discussion, design a switch to control a circuit, and construct a signaling device.
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Double Toss
Learners experiment with potential and kinetic energy. They design a device that will toss a ball at least 30 centimeters, catch it and to the ball up again.
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Skin Temperature
In this skin temperature instructional activity, students read about the temperature of the core and the skin of the human body. They answer four critical thinking questions about regulating body temperature.
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Potato Power
Students light a LED clock or light bulb using potatoes. They examine how a battery works in a simple circuit. They determine how chemical energy changes to electrical energy while experimenting with potato powered circuits.
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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Is Air a Fluid?
Students use baking soda, vinegar, matches, and other materials to pour gas. In this air lesson plan, students use the materials to pour gas and learn that air can be a fluid like a liquid.
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Conductivity
Students work together to create a simple conductivity tester. They discover the difference between conductors and insulators. They test different types of materials for their conductivity as well.
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Modeling an Active (!!) Explosive Volcano
Students examine how gas pressure causes eruptions of explosive volcanoes, and demonstrate how the build-up of gas from dissolving alka seltzer causes the lid of a film canister to blow off. They compare/contrast between the model and...
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Electricity and Thermodynamics Review
In this electricity and thermodynamics activity, learners review the major concepts of both series circuits and parallel circuits, they review types of thermal transfer, they match electricity terms with their definitions, they fill in...
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Energy Efficient Buildings
Seventh graders create plans for an energy efficient addition to the school. They work in small groups with each group having responsibility for examining one aspect of the problem. They create working diagrams and a model of their...
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Is Air a Fluid?
Students discuss the physical properties of fluids and then demonstrate that air carbon dioxide and oxygen) is a fluid by creating currents.
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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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Static Electricity Experiment
In this electricity worksheet, 3rd graders read about static electricity before completing an experiment with a pen and a piece of wool cloth. They follow the steps to the experiment and record what happens along the way.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...