Science Matters
Peanut Energy
How do humans get energy since they aren't mechanical and can't photosynthesize? Learners explore this question by relating potential energy in food to human energy levels. Scholars measure the change in mass and a change in...
Curated OER
Energy
Wow! Colorful and simple, these 160 slides introduce the various forms of energy, along with a relevant image. Some of the images are animations, which help beginning physical scientists to visualize the flow of electrons or energy! This...
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States of Water
Learners investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" lesson, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Learners observe the effect heat has on changing...
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Force and Motion
Students experiment with force and motion. In this force and motion lesson, students test gravity using a variety of objects. Students rotate through a series of stations which use force, motion, friction, and inclines. Students predict...
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What's The Scoop?
Students explore the properties of matter. In this cross curriculum three states of matter science lesson, students listen to the poem "Eighteen Flavors" by Shel Silverstein, and predict what will happen if listed ingredients are...
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Hot and Cold Colors
Students examine how temperature effects changes in materials. In this physical science lesson, students use food coloring and cups of water of varying temperatures to observe the effects temperature has on matter. Students predict and...
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Go Car, Go!
Learners design and build their own car. For this physics lesson, students collect data to determine the speed of the car. They plot the data on the graph analyze the relationship between variables.
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Balloons: Math with the Montgolfier Balloon
Students discover the history of hot air balloons by watching one ascent. In this physics lesson, students utilize a Montgolfier Hot Air Balloon from an earlier lesson and record the temperature, rate of ascent and the volume....
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Speedy Trials
Fifth graders investigate how forces affect the motion of an object. In this physics lesson plan, 5th graders calculate an object's speed using a mathematical formula. They discuss how force and mass affects the speed.
Exploratorium
Balancing Stick
Have some physical science fun when studying the center of gravity or center of mass. Simply have balancing artists stand a dowel on one finger and keep it from falling over! A lump of clay is added and moved up along the dowel over a...
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The Penny Factory
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical and chemical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and separate or sort items using these properties. Students explain...
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Project Geode
Young geologists attempt to predict the appearnace of a geode's internal structure based on how it looks from the outside, its mass, and its physical characteristics. In this geologly lesson, learners use scientific equipment to collect...
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Emulsions
Students identify the characteristics and composition of emulsions. In this chemistry lesson, students classify household products according to emulsion type. They explain how to make the best emulsion.
Exploratorium
Hand Battery
Get hands-on in your physical science class by having learners conduct electricity with their own hands! By placing one hand on each of two different metals, a current can be generated and measured on a microammeter. Make an experiement...
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Applied Science -Physics (2B) Pre Lab
Second graders look at different types of energy. In this energy lesson, 2nd graders define energy and the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They see examples with falling books and a slinky.
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Effects of the Southern Pacific Railroad Causeway
Fifth graders describe the appearance of a substance before and after a physical change. They re-create the Southern Pacific Railroad Causeway across the Great Salt Lake. They determine for themselves how the water is exchanged...
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Melting Ice
Students observe the melting of ice and explore the basic physical changes that occur. They gain information of how different substances change the rate of melting. Students discuss the properties of water and ice, the definition of...
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Emulsion_ Compulsion
Learners experiment with common household products to determine the properties of emulsions and how they fit into the classifications of matter through this series of lessons.
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What's the Matter? (Experiments)
Students observe a scientific discrepant event, and are then challenged to create experiments to solve the dilemma.
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Global Warming: Life in a Greenhouse
Students examine the evidence that scientists have used to support the existence of global warming and the greenhouse effect. How the concepts have been developed and evaluated form the focus of this lesson.
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Chemical Composition of American Coins
Students investigate the chemical composition of pennies dated 1983 or later. In this chemical composition of American coins lesson plan, students scratch the surface of the penny to expose the zinc core. They put the penny in...
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Identifying Acids and Bases
Sixth graders observe the physical and chemical change that can occur in an acid and a base. In this acids and bases lesson plan, 6th graders use cabbage juice to identify, compare, and contrast acids and bases.
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Compounds and Mixtures Notes
In this matter worksheet, students watch a movie and then compare the differences between compounds and mixtures. This worksheet has 16 fill in the blank questions.
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Resources - A Reading Guide
In this resources worksheet, high schoolers compare and contrast physical and chemical properties and changes. Students review the periodic table, pattern of atomic numbers and chemical reactivity. This worksheet has 56 short answer...