Curated OER
Water Happenings
Fifth graders observe how water changes phase through a teacher-led demo. In this earth science instructional activity, 5th graders relate the demo to the water cycle. They draw and label each stage of the cycle.
Curated OER
Plant Power
Seventh graders discuss the role of plants on Earth's biological system. In this life science lesson, 7th graders explain the process of transpiration and its importance in establishing Earth's climate patterns.
Curated OER
And the Survey Says...
Eighth graders evaluate whether a certain argument is valid or invalid. For this science lesson, 8th graders discuss the importance of using unbiased evidence. They design an experiment that they can test in school.
Curated OER
Favorite Penguin
Students research their favorite penguin. In this science lesson, students research penguins and create a presentation of their findings.
Curated OER
Hoosier Artists
Students examine the paintings of various Indiana artists. Using the internet, they relate the landscapes shown to the history of the state and how it affected Native Americans. Using the information they gathered, they write story...
Curated OER
Medical Explorer
After reading a case study, pupils will explore possible diagnoses, assessment, and treatment plans. Finding the definitions to medical vocabulary and sorting through patient history, they will begin to understand the process of...
Curated OER
Air Pressure
Learners participate in a series of demonstrations about Bernoulli's principle. They explain how air pressure varies with air speed. They write a detailed lab report about the activity. This is a great way to explore this concept.
Teach Engineering
All Fats Are Not Created Equal
Apply robotics to connect physical properties to chemical properties. Future engineers use robots to determine the melting points of various fats and oils. The robots can do this by measuring the translucency of the fats as they heat up.
Curated OER
Nuclear Chemistry Project
Radiation has numerous real-world applications, some of which are relatively safe while others can be extremely hazardous. In this nuclear chemistry project, young scientists choose a practical use of nuclear reactions to research in...
Curated OER
Water Quality Survey: Monitoring the Sustainability of Pigeon Creek
Students research the History of Pigeon Creek (or any watershed in your area). For this environmental science lesson, students conduct field tests such as pH and nitrates. They collect data and compare what they collected with other groups.
Curated OER
Highs and Lows
Plot data using the number line and discuss how negative numbers are used in math and science. Sixth and seventh graders share their graph with the class and provide an explanation for their plotting.
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Indiana Travel Guide
Fourth graders create a travel guide about the state of Indiana with 100% accuracy. They label the capital within the travel guide with 100% accuracy. Students label one major river in the right location with 100% accuracy. They circle...
Curated OER
Magnetic Mystery
Fourth graders investigate the poles of a magnet. In this magnet lesson, 4th graders explore what a magnet attracts and what it repels. Students view the N and S on magnets. students recognize that like poles repel and opposite poles...
Curated OER
Rocks and Minerals
Review the difference between rocks and minerals using this resource. Learners identify and investigate the physical properties of these objects. They create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast types of rocks. This is a motivating way...
Purdue University
Design of a Door Alarm
How does electricity work? Budding scientists explore the concepts of electrical currents and open and closed circuits with class discussion and a hands-on activity using a battery to turn on a light bulb. Learners also make predictions...
Purdue University
Design of an Earthen Dam for a Lafayette Neighborhood
How do dams support bodies of water? Scholars engage in a hands-on STEM activity where they design, build, and test dams to learn about bodies of water and how humans use natural resources. They learn how criteria and constraints affect...
Curated OER
Hominid Traits: Ape to Man
Twelfth graders collaborate and analyze information about our hominid lineage. They discuss evidence researched by anthropologists. Students use spreadsheet data to compare means of locomotion, diet and brain size.
Curated OER
The Great Fossil Find - Reconstructing the Pieces
Students go on an imaginary fossil hunt. They follow a script read by the teacher, students "find" (remove from envelope) paper "fossils" of some unknown creature. They attempt to reconstruct fossil pieces into an animal.
Curated OER
The Checks Lab
Students, in teams, have an envelope containing a series of bank checks. A few are removed at a time, and the team attempts to construct a plausible scenario which involves those checks.
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Without Limits
Seventh graders research about the important contributions of two scientists they chose from the list. In this science lesson, 7th graders develop a creative presentation such as skits or news program about their research. They present...
Curated OER
Health, Health, Hurrah!
Third graders explain the importance of eating healthy food. In this health science lesson plan, 3rd graders construct a balanced menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They create a collage about it and share it with the class.
Curated OER
Shadow Trackers: From Photography to Writing
Students explore the rotation of the earth. In this science lesson, students view photos of various places around the world. Students conduct an experiment in which they can see how the earth's rotation creates shadows on the earth.
Curated OER
Constellations
Third graders investigate space by researching their zodiac signs. In this space science lesson, 3rd graders discuss the different zodiac symbols, their star representation and where the stars are located in the sky. Students create a...
Curated OER
Insects
It's a fact: kids love bugs! With this instructional activity, young learners explore reading informational texts and conducting research while learning about their favorite insects. Spark learners' interest by reading a book about one...