Next Generation Science Storylines
Why Do Some Things Get Colder (or Hotter) When They React?
Some reactions absorb heat while others release it. Young scholars investigate both types of reactions in a 12-lesson unit. Each lesson presents a lab investigation that monitors temperature and considers the types of reactions taking...
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Passing The Heat Along
Fifth graders consider conduction. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders explore how heat passes through conductors and examine materials that contain heat.
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Elementary Concepts in Heat
Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...
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Reactions of Metals with Water, Acid and Air
In this chemical reactions worksheet, students experiment with reactions between 4 different metals with water, acid and air. Students make observations of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium with water, acid and air. They write an analysis...
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A Comparison of Land and Water Temperature
Students use the NASA website's Live Access Server to create a graph of surface temperature at two locations on earth. They analyze the data and then answer specific questions provided in this lesson. They also examine and compare the...
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Water Magicians
First graders observe water changing states from a solid to a liquid to a gas. They predict what they think happen to ice cubes as they sit out. They paint water with paintbrushes outside the classroom in the sun and watch the water...
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The Water Cycle
In this worksheet on the water cycle, students read a short passage about the water cycle, located beneath a graphic organizer showing the cycle in pictures with labels.
Rhythm Rhyme Results
Whatʼs the Same and Whatʼs Different?
Learn about radiation, convection, and conduction with a multiple choice worksheet. Each question prompts kids to decide what is different about each form of heat energy transfer, and what is the same.
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Hot Cans and Cold Cans
Learners investigate the physics of heating and cooling through conduction, convection, and radiation. Working in groups, they determine the best way to cool a can of water and warm a can of water. Temperature is taken at five minute...
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Gases, Liquids and Solids, evaporate, shape volume,
Students conduct an online experiment to discover what happens to solids, liquids and gases in different temperatures. In this states of matter lesson, students get into pairs and work in a virtual laboratory to manipulate heating and...
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Cool Times with Heat
Learners work with thermometers to complete problems about temperature. They investigate cooling patterns, how location affects temperature, and what happens when water having different temperature is mixed. They measure temperature in...
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Ice Energy
Students explore how chemicals change water. In this chemical change lesson, students participate in an experiment to observe how salt effects ice and how ice cream freezes.
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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Ice Ain't Easy
Students are introduced to the laws of thermodynamics. The 1st law of thermodynamics states that the energy must be conserved when two objects of different temperatures come in contact. If one object gains energy, the other object must...
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Thermal Energy and Heat Unit
Young scholars explain that heat energy in a material consists of the disordered motions of its atoms or molecules. They know and explain that transformations of energy usually transform some energy into the form of heat, which...
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Activity #13 Changing The Look of Sugar
Students observe what happens when sugar is dissolved in water and when it is heated. They weigh the products after each of the two experiments on a balance scale. Pupils distinguish between physical and chemical changes. Students are...
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Clouds
In this science worksheet, students look for the meaning of the water cycle and its relation to the formation of clouds. They read the information about the different types of clouds.
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Moist Air & Clouds
Fifth graders study the weather and water cycle of clouds. In this water cycle lesson, 5th graders read background information about evaporation, condensation, and the states of water.
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Warm and Toasty
Students are introduced to the concepts of specific heat and heat capacity. In groups, they design an experiment to test these two topics on various fabrics. They compare and contrast the amount of heat loss on the different materials...
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Chemical Compounds
In this chemical compounds worksheet, students identify the types of intermolecular forces present in the given substances, calculate the heat required to convert a liquid to gas, and explain the ideal-gas law. This worksheet has 5...
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Rain, Rain, Go Away
Students conduct a number of experiments involving evaporation and condensation. They view and discuss a video about the water cycle and then design posters about the rain based on the book "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs".
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Creek Monitoring
Sixth graders conduct a variety of assessments at a local stream to determine if it is a suitable habitat for salmon. They measure temperature, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, bacteria and nutrients. In this unit, 6th graders work...
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Water - the (Nearly) Universal Solvent
In this solvent worksheet, students explore why water is considered a universal solvent. Students explore what can change dissolving rates. This worksheet has 8 matching, 3 short answer, 11 fill in the blank, and 4 problems to solve.
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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.