Lesson Plan
Acoustical Society of America

Anatomy of a Wave

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pair physical science learners up, and have one describe a transverse wave while the other blindly attempts to draw it. Then reveal an actual diagram and explain the different parts of the wave: crest, trough, wavelength. Though most of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties and Perfectly Polymeric Sodas

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners examine physical and chemical properties of plastics, interfaces of plastics, and forms of plastics. In three lab activities, students discover the two characteristic responses of plastics to heating, thermoplastic or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cone Baseball

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Pupils practice fielding and hitting skills. Using different size balls, students play t-ball. They practice hitting the ball where partners are not standing Pupils work together to get the batter out.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Work and Power: Waterwheel

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate a waterwheel and the physical properties of energy.  In this waterwheel lesson students create a model waterwheel and calculate the amount of power produced. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Packaging

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the functions of packaging food and how the designs work.  In this food packaging lesson students identify the changes that occur in different types of materials. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Centripetal Force

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In order to investigate cetntripetal force and angular momentum, youngsters compare the motion of erasers hung from a string. It is not clear what type of Amish toy is needed in the warm up activity, so you may not be able to use it. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Series or Parallel?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chart Making for Navigators

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars discuss the importance and function of nautical maps for sailors. They, in groups, take soundings of a simulated bay in a shoebox and develop a nautical chart that enable them to navigate the shoebox safely.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on the Moon

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study the physical properties of the Moon.  In this life on the moon lesson students describe the ways life on the Moon would be different than on Earth. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pick a Pet

For Teachers K - 1st
Learners design informational materials to educate people on the importance of matching a new pet to the family's lifestyle and living arrangements. Students use critical thinking skills to make a decision on the appropriate choice for a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Investigations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the basics about soil.  In this soil lesson students describe the physical properties of soil and explain what soil profile is. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simplified Vertical Rebound Testing

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students participate in a lab activity in which they examine a simple energy transformation system. Students test the rebound of elastomers, produce rebound data, and determine the kinetic energy transformed by the impact of a free...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sheffield Island Adaptation Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
You don't have to visit The Maritime Aquarium to use this plan, but you would need to find a location where a variety of bird species live, re-write the activity worksheet to incorporate the local species, and purchase field guides for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the carbon cycle and how carbon atoms travel through it.  In this energy cycles instructional activity students describe how human activities affect the carbon cycle. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Energy From Water

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study water and its energy. In this water energy lesson, students discuss hydroelectricity and make models of water turbines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Got Gas? How Much?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students perform an experiment that measures respiration.  In this performing an experiment that measures respiration lesson, students discuss aerobic and anaerobic respiration.  Students measure the gas produced by putting...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mice Rule!

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars explain what biodiversity is and how adaptive features are maintained in a population.  In this biodiversity lesson students complete a simple activity involving mouse populations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protecting the Mummified Troll

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an invisible security system to protect a mummified troll.  In this security system lesson students view a portion of Mythbusters and begin their challenge.
Lesson Plan
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BioEd Online

Gravity and Buoyancy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Would a baggie filled with water have the same shape sitting on a table as it would in a bucket of water? Why not? Allow learners to find out first-hand the effects of gravity acting alone on the baggie, as well as when gravity is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Photocells Work

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Give small groups of physical scientists tokens that represent electrons in a photovoltaic cell. They play a dice game in which they move the tokens around, representing the flow of electrons through the p-n junction of a semiconductor...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

HABITAT for the other 90%

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the connection between the habitat needs of endemic species to the habitat needs of humans.  In this habitat lesson pupils research the habitat requirements of a given family then develop an idea to improve the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keys and Webs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore and classify organisms found in a Rocky Mountain Ecosystem. Through discussions, students examine the effects upon an ecosystem if a component was removed or a new component was added. As a class, they survey reasons...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pyramid Building: How to Use a Wedge

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the simple machine of a wedge. In this wedge lesson plan, students test wedges on different materials including wax, soap, clay and foam. They learn how a wedge was used to build the ancient pyramid and modern day...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interplanetary Travel Guide

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...