DiscoverE
LIDAR: Mapping with Lasers
We would be lost without maps! How are they made? Introduce junior topographers to LIDAR technology with a fascinating activity. Set up a mock city, then have learners operate a laser measure to determine the shape of the landscape using...
Curated OER
What a Square
Students examine the painting "Old Man With A Gold Chain" by Rembrandt. They identify geometric shapes in the painting, measure these shapes and compare the relationships of these measurements.
Curated OER
A New Phase In Town
Middle schoolers explore heat energy and how it is used to change the phase of matter, and discover that temperature does not increase or decrease until the phase change is complete. This extremely well-written plan is packed with great...
Exploratorium
Tired Weight
You don't need a scale to determine weight. This activity provides a way to use the concepts of air pressure and surface area to determine the weight of a vehicle by calculating the amount of weight each tire supports.
Virginia Department of Education
Going the Distance
Estimate the value of one of the most famous irrational numbers. The hands-on lesson instructs classmates to measure the circumference and diameters of circles using yarn. The ratio of these quantities defines pi.
Virginia Department of Education
Heat and Thermal Energy Transfer
How does radiation affect our daily lives? Answer that question and others with a lesson that discusses radiation and its use in thermal energy transfer through electromagnetic waves. Pupils investigate vaporization and...
Virginia Department of Education
The Rate of Motion
How much time does it take to jump over three balloons? Pupils calculate the speed of tasks that require different motions. They determine motions for tasks such as walking, skipping, hopping, and jumping before creating a...
Curated OER
Pumpkin Play
Have you ever examined a pumpkin and estimated the number of lines it has? In this math lesson plan, students count the actual number of lines, record and graph the results. They investigate the circumference, weight and buoyancy of the...
K12 Reader
Measuring Temperature
Fahrenheit? Celsius? What's the difference, and where did these two temperature scales originate? Your pupils will learn all about these topics by reading the passage included here. After reading, individuals respond to five questions...
Chicago Children's Museum
Simple Machines: Force and Motion
Get things moving with this elementary science unit on simple machines. Through a series of nine lessons including teacher demonstrations, hands-on activities, and science experiments, young scientists learn about forces, motion,...
Curated OER
Oodles of Noodles
Students investigate non-standard and standard measurement including inches and centimeters. They use different types of noodles as non-standard units of measurement comparing them to inches and centimeters.
Curated OER
Crystal Growing
Students grow crystals and document their observations by recording timeing and growth. Additional characteristics of crystals are observed under a black light, by growing under different conditions and mineral content is determined.
Curated OER
Is Your Money Rolling Away?
Young scholars demonstrate how to solve word problems. They will watch the video "Math Can Take You Places" and identify three problem solving strategies.
Curated OER
Fractions and Paper Folding
In this fraction lesson plan, students manipulate paper by folding it to create different shapes and sizes, they explore the concept of fractions, and discuss their observations as a class. This is a great lesson plan for getting...
Curated OER
Measurement and Estimation
Second graders explore estimation and measurement. In this estimation and measurement lesson, 2nd graders use footsteps to measure distances around the classroom. Students sing songs to measure the number of beats from one area to the...
Curated OER
Measurement Scavenger Hunt
Students review estimation, measurement, fractions, decimals while familiarizing themselves with a new classroom at the beginning of the year.
Curated OER
LRO's First Image of Mare Nubium
In this scale image worksheet, students use an image taken by the LRO satellite of Mare Nubium to determine the scale of the image, the diameter of the smallest crater and a comparison scale drawing of a house.
Curated OER
How Long? How Wide?
Second graders distinguish between and use nonstandard and standard units of measurement, use appropriate tools and techniques to measure length and width, and record and interpret data using graphs.
Curated OER
As Good As Gold
Students find examples of the Golden Ratio on the human body through measurement. Additionally, students learn about the use of the Golden Ratio and the Golden Rectangle in art and architecture. A very interesting lesson for the students!
Curated OER
How Can You Measure This?
Third graders work in small groups to complete a number of investigations in which they have to use measurement. They determine the fractional part of the newspaper that is used for news, sports, etc. They compare their height to their...
Curated OER
Human Fingerprints: No Two the Same
Sixth graders explore scientific observations by analyzing a group of data. In this fingerprint identification lesson, 6th graders identify the reasoning behind fingerprinting and create their own ink fingerprints. Students discuss the...
NASA
Cleaning Water
From their sweat to the water vapor in their breath, astronauts recycle every possible drop of water while in space. After watching a short video describing the different ways materials are recycled and reused in space...
University of Colorado
Can Photosynthesis Occur at Saturn?
In the 19th activity of 22, learners determine if distance from a light source affects photosynthesis. Participants capture oxygen in straws and find that the amount of water the gas displaces is proportional to the rate of photosynthesis.
LABScI
Potential and Kinetic Energy: The Roller Coaster Lab
Ron Toomer, a famous roller coaster designer, suffered from motion sickness. Pupils design their own roller coasters, learning about potential and kinetic energy in the process. Labs focus on the importance of drop height, energy...