Curated OER
The Nitrogen Cycle
Students design and create a compost pile in order to study the Nitrogen Cycle. They then use the scientific method to determine if plants grow better when they add organic matter from their compost pile to the plant's soil.
Curated OER
The Hundred Penny Box
Students analyze the advantages of regular saving and how savings grow with compounding. After reading the story "The Hundred Penny Box", students define the terms "interest," "interest rate," and "compounding." Through several...
Curated OER
Life Processes and Water
Explain the properties of water. Identify the properties of water that make it a polar molecule Describe hydrogen bonds and how they differ from covalent bonds Discuss the differences between hard water and soft water Compare the heat of...
Curated OER
Life Saving Computing
Students read an article on anthrax and complete a series of cloze activities related to the article.
Curated OER
Circle of Life
Students consider why we eat and where our food obtains its energy. They illustrate food chains that might be found on an open field, dissect owl pellets, identify the remains of animals in the pellets, watch videos and participate in...
Curated OER
Getting a Handle on Your Bee
Students observe dried bees, carefully glue them to toothpicks, and use them for cross pollinating their Brassica plants. They also describe reasons why two similar investigations can produce different results. Finally, students...
Curated OER
Math, Chemistry, and Food
Pupils explore the effects of chemical reactions when cooking. Using the Internet, they research enzymes and then mix jello. They examine their results and test enzyme activity by adding pineapple to the jello. Finally, they test their...
Curated OER
Algae Part One: An Introduction
Young scholars have the opportunity to view two types of algae under 400x magnification with a compound microscope. They make observations and record their observations through drawings and words. In addition, they identify different...
Curated OER
Wetland Food Webs
Students study life science. In this food webs and food chains comparison lesson, students examine the wetlands to discover the relationships that exist between the animals that live there. They participate in group activities and...
Kenan Fellows
An Analytical Chemist, a Biochemist, an Animal Scientist, and an Oncologist Walk into a Lab...No Joke
Oncology presents multiple opportunities for research and the collaboration of many different types of scientists. Scholars divide into groups and research the history of mass spectrometry, polarity/non-polarity,...
Curated OER
Introduction to Classification
Fourth graders design a classification system to categorize animate and inanimate objects. They discuss the advantages of grouping things as they classify buttons, leaves, shells.
Curated OER
Life Processes and Water
Students examine the function and nature of water as it effects all living things.
Curated OER
How Atoms Work
Students analyze the way atoms function and how they combine to form molecules and various compounds. Using a software program, they create a diagram of an atom and write a summary about their functions. They complete a worksheet and...
Curated OER
Density, Iron, and Anemia
Young scholars explain what factors determine density. In this physics instructional activity, students hypothesize which objects are less dense. They cite the importance of density in everyday life.
Curated OER
What Contains Carbon?
Young scholars explore elements by analyzing everyday objects and materials in class. In this carbon lesson, students define several vocabulary terms such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, and carbonate. Young scholars view a group of...
California Academy of Science
Carbon Cycle Role Play
Anytime you make concepts clear with role playing or hands-on experience, it's a win for the whole class. Ping-Pong balls are used to represent carbon in a carbon cycle role-play activity. In small groups, children first discuss what...
Curated OER
Light and Starch Production in Photosynthesis
Young scholars are given the unique opportunity to see the contrast between parts of a leaf that have photosynthesized and parts of the leaf that have not. This visual image helps students see the results of this biological process. At...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
Students conduct a variety of experiments on photosynthesis. In this biology lesson, students identify the factors required for the process to occur. They perform computerized experiments to test the amount of oxygen produced when plants...
Curated OER
Proteins
Students conduct a variety of experiments to explore protein. In this biology lesson, students solve a mystery by testing for the presence of glucose, protein starch and triglycerides. They explain how DNA transcription and translation...
Curated OER
Air Matters
Middle schoolers research the affects that particulate matter has on the quality of our air and our health. Students analyze a streaming video on air pollution and complete an internet research assignment to find ways to reduce...
Curated OER
Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Building Blocks of Planets
Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy lesson, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of chondrites and...
Western Kentucky University
Understanding Genetics: Punnett Squares
Can scientists really predict genetic outcomes or are they simply making a lucky guess? Scholars first learn about Gregor Mendel and how to make Punnett squares. Then they extract DNA from a strawberry in a lab with included conclusion...
Curated OER
The Biological Carbon Cycle
Learners learn about the biological carbon cycle. In this carbon cycle instructional activity, students access the web site and mouse over the diagrams to follow the carbon cycle. They read about what happens to humans and plants during...
Curated OER
Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?
Young scholars examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to...