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Cycling Energy
Fourth graders are introduced to how electricity is produced. In groups, they compare and contrast the linear production of energy with other forms of mechanical energy production. They try to make a turbine work acting like it is part...
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Charge Challenge
Students observe the behavior of different charged objects. In this science lesson, students perform a series of static electricity experiments. They discuss their observations in class.
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Beat the Greeks
Learners conduct research of the history of atomic theory. Information is presented from Democritus and Aristotle to the early Renaissance using the Internet and video.The integration of technology allows for a vast amount of research...
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Properties of Magnets
Students determine the physical properties of magnets. They analyze the size, number of poles and strength of the magnets. They make observations of what happens to magnets when they are placed next to each other.
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Fun With Electromagnets
Fifth graders construct their own electromagnet out of copper and nails. They discover what objects could be used for magnets. Finally, 5th graders discuss how electric currents are formed.
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Au!
Students describe the properties of gold. They analyze why gold has been valued throughout history. Students view the physical property identification and formation of gold. They view and analyze "pyrite" within the classroom.
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Solar Car activity
Students study the basic concept of solar energy. They build a working solar car. Students comprehend how solar energy can be produced via a solar panel. They examine the physics that describe how a solar panel works.
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Invisible Investigations
Students simulate how charged particles move in a particle detector. In this physics lesson, students observe how iron filings behave when magnetic marbles are passed underneath them. They record and draw their observations.
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Swamp Thing
Students create a build-it-yourself boat that runs on two small electric motors. Swamp Thing has an electronic brain that can be controlled and steered with a flashlight.
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Introduction to the Oscilloscope as a Voltmeter
Students measure the electric potential of 9 volt batteries using oscilloscopes. They draw a diagram of the front panel of the oscilloscope, conduct the experiment, and create a graph of voltage versus the number of batteries.
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Electromagnetism
Students explore the generation of magnetic fields from currents in wires and measure the magnetic field directions. They measure magnetic fields in their own environment. They also examine how moving magnetic fields can create currents.
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Electronic Components
Students review new terminology and computer circuits and the value of a resistor. They complete three experiments, "Resistance Activities," Transistor Activities,"Diode Activities" and enter data, results and their findings on Student...
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Eating Through the Metric System
Seventh graders convert measurements in recipes to metric measurements and prepare the food items. They create a metric measurement cookbook.
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A Day In My Life
Students brainstorm how they can conserve energy in their daily lives. For this energy lesson plan, students discuss how they use energy and ways to conserve it.
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An Oceanographic Proxy
Students conduct experiments on a sample of sea water. In this oceanography lesson plan, students inquire how conductivity is used to approximate the salinity ocean water. Students construct their own conductivity meters and test...
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Where's the Energy
Students research energy conversions. In this energy lesson, students describe the basic operation of a steam engine. They explain the energy conversions in the steam engine's operation.
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The Elements
Middle schoolers watch video, The Elements, research information about elements using both the Internet and CD-ROM program, and create atoms out of gumdrops and licorice.
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Let the Sun Shine!
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
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Falling Water
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. In seeing how falling water can...
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Introduction to the Periodic Table
Eighth graders investigate the different elements of the Periodic Table. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders pick an element to research, then present to the class using a powerpoint presentation or a poster.
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Light and shadow
Students experiment with light and shadow. For this light lesson, students look at the relationship between shadows and light. They experiment with light source, shadow size, transparent objects and reflective objects.
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Transition Metals (II)
Students discuss transition metals, their properties, and where they are located on the periodic table as well as why transition metals are ideal for coins. After discussion, they conduct an experiment using copper in the form of old...
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Periodic Table of the Elements: Noble Gases
Students research how neon signs are made and design their own. In this periodic table lesson, students familiarize themselves with the noble gases on the periodic table. They watch a video, research how neon signs are made, and design...
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Periodic Table of the Elements: Transition Metals
Students conduct an exothermic reaction to investigate the properties of a transition metal. In this periodic table lesson plan, students identify the transition elements and discuss their properties after watching a video. They conduct...