Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing a Germination Experiment

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students explore botany by participating in a seed experiment. In this plant nutrition lesson, students define several science experiment vocabulary terms like observation, treatment, and replicate. Students utilize soaked seeds in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mechanical Properties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of hardness. In this physical science lesson plan, students will be using clay heated at different temperatures to study hardness based on the indention left. Students will also be identifying the variables...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bouncing Ball

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Learners use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. In this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method activity, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the rebound, then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Planetary Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the search for life in Mars. In this space science lesson, students develop a creative visual display of their findings. They present their project in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Curds and Whey

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this chemical reaction worksheet, learners investigate the reaction that makes curds and whey. They mix milk and vinegar and run it through cheesecloth to collect the solid. Students make observations, read about curds and whey, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirty Decomposers

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Prokaryotes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lead your biology class on a cell-sized adventure! Emerging scientists construct models of prokaryotes, then design an experiment to properly grow a bacterial culture. They conclude the activity by viewing the culture under a microscope....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Growth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students develop an independent procedure to investigate the germination of two types of seeds. Students must construct data tables or charts to record observations and results, graph the data, and analyze the data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Variable Arrays

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders compare and contrast variables and arrays. Using data, they enter the information into a spreadsheet and an array to compare how they appear. To end the lesson, they complete basic programs in which they use arrays.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaporation Marathon

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students review the steps of the scientific method and participate in a three day experiment. They observe water evaporation over time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Space Requirement of Seed Plants

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use scientific methods to investigate the effects of overpopulation of seed plants on growth in a limited living space. Students relate seed plant population findings to that of other organisms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separation of Unknowns in a Liquid

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify chromatography as method of separating the components of a liquid. Students discover that dyes are composed of more than one component in achieving a particular color in these lessons on paper chromatography.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Catapult

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify the advantages and disadvantages of a catapult as a weapon. In this physics lesson, students construct their own catapult. They investigate how changing one variable affects results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Self Directed Inquiry into the Identification of Unknowns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners gain experience in designing an experiment and use logic in selecting specific tests for unknowns. Students recognize the use of spreadsheets in helping one to make clear comparisons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is That White Stuff?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify, through experimentation, what properties of substance are, determine what variables tested will be, identify constants and variables of experiment, conduct experiment to conclusion with measurable, recorded...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity One Teacher Page: Vehicles In Motion

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars identify variables that affect the system, and specify which variables are independent and which are dependent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity Three Teacher Page: Collisions

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students after completing this instructional activity, identify variables that affect the system, and specify which variables are independent; which are dependent. They represent data in a data table and a graph and analyze data and make...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Identification of Bacteria

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are given a two week period to put to use the knowledge they have gained while studying bacteria. As a culminating activity, students each receive three unknown bacteria to identify.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virus and Bacteriophage

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the differences between a virus and a bacteriophage. They explore various websites, identify the parts of a virus and a bacteriophage, and construct a model of a virus or bacteriophage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fizzy Pop

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and identify variables that affect the rate of a chemical change using Alka-Seltzer, water, ice, and hot water. They time how long each variable takes to pop the canister into the air, and record the results on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Incline Planes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine the forces necessary to move a truck on an inclined plane with weight and slope as variables. They identify the cheapest way to transport trash to local garbage disposal sites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students begin their examination of the climate zones found around the world. Using a software program, they identify the relationship between the vegetation, climate and temperatures of the different zones. They also plot coordinates...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identification of Different Compounds and Substances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of tests to identify unknown compounds. For this chemistry lesson, students compare the physical and chemical properties of substances. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil pH & Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the pH of the soil in which different plants grow. They design and carry out an experiment to determine the factors that affect the growth of a population of plants, identifying and controlling major variables...