Curated OER
What's Matter?
Young scholars explore many of the basic properties of matter including atoms, ions, elements, molecules, and density. The class explores an interactive flash-animated Web site to answer questions and clarify misconceptions they might...
Curated OER
Earth Moon Scaling
A wonderful lesson incorporating math and physics skills along with specific details about the planetary bodies. The cross-curricular approach makes for a valid activity to challenge multiple ages and abilities. Your class could work in...
Curated OER
Optical Illusions
Learners investigate optical illusions. In this optical illusions lesson, students explore perception. Learners analyze optical illusions and determine common misconceptions.
Curated OER
Law of Large Numbers - Hospital
Students explore concepts of probability and independent events. They develop a formula for deviation percentage.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Scale Models
With instructions to adapt the activities for any grade K-12, any teacher can incorporate the concept of scale into the classroom with a simple, yet effective lesson.
Curated OER
It Counts
Students classify and compare plants using specific information, observations, and numbers. In this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use plant characteristics to describe, compare, and classify them. They attempt to develop a system...
Curated OER
Scale Model of the Solar System
Young scientists gain a better understanding of space, the solar system and its vastness by creating a scale model. Students first need to calculate the distance between each of the nine planets according to the size of their scale. This...
Curated OER
Long Day?
Students become aware of the effects of tides on the Earth's rotation. In this tides instructional activity, students calculate the number of seconds lost over various periods of time.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Science and Math Pre - Lab (Scientific Method)
Students examine science. For this scientific method lesson, students are introduced to what every experiment contains (hypothesis, critical thinking) and how an experiment is conducted. They watch a demonstration and then work...
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
PHET
Planetary Magnetism
What do magnetic fields look like? The best way to learn about magnetic fields is to try identifying them for yourself. Scholars will understand the importance of magnetic fields after completing this experiment. The extension activities...
Curated OER
Mapping Natural Disasters
Young scholars use Cartesian coordinates to plot current natural disasters. They relate location of natural disasters to their specific major project countries. Students tie in geometry within this lesson as connected to spatial...
Curated OER
What Orbital Dynamic Variables are Responsible for Earth's Weather?
Young scholars explore the changing of the seasons. In this astronomy and seasons lesson, students construct a model of the revolution of the sun and the moon. Young scholars compare the recorded solstice/equinox orbital positions and...
Curated OER
Bats: Fact and Fiction
Students describe the characteristics and behaviors of bats. After viewing a video, they explain how bats use echolocation to navigate and how they find their young within a group. They list four misconceptions about the animal and...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Population Genetics, Selection, and Evolution
The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that alleles and genotypes remain constant in the absence of evolutionary influences. Scholars complete a simple hands-on activity applying the Hardy-Weinberg principle to sample data. They observe how...
Curated OER
Who Gets Eaten? A Study of Natural Selection
Fourth graders represent a new predator on a population of colored worms. They mathematically determine the effect of the new predator on the survival and reproductive rates of the worms, simulating natural selection at work.
Curated OER
Introducing Models to Elementary School Students
Students explore the concept of models. In this model lesson, students examine 3-dimensional models of various objects and body parts to better understand the natural world.
Curated OER
Discovering Density
Students explore the physical properties of density. In this hands-on lesson, students calculate density and distinguish between intensive and extensive properties.
Curated OER
Probability: the Study of Chance
Students experiment to determine if a game is fair, collect data, interpret data, display data, and state and apply the rule for probability. Students use a simple game for this experiment.
Curated OER
Bat's a Fact
Second graders investigate the truths and misconceptions associated with bats. By illustrating the characteristics and uniqueness of these often feared and misunderstood creatures, 2nd graders increase their awareness of these nocturnal...
Curated OER
Embracing Diversity
Ninth graders discover that the amount surveyed affects the results and conclusions drawn from a survey. In this sampling lesson students explore the concept that a valid conclusion require a large number of entries. Students calculate...
Teach Engineering
Magnetic or Not?
The class must determine the magnetic properties of different materials, including aluminum and steel by sorting through materials using a magnet. Groups make a prediction on whether a material is magnetic and then perform tests to...
Curated OER
Probability: The Study of Chance
Students conduct an experiment, determine if a game is fair, and collect data. They interpret data, then display line graph. They conduct analysis of game for probability.
Curated OER
Where Are the Dinosaurs?
Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. For this dinosaur lesson, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.