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States of Matter
Students explore the states of water. For this physical science lesson, students use ice and dry ice to observe the changes in the state of matter. Students record the results.
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Heat: Mini Unit
Students experiment with heat. In this physical science lesson plan, students engage in hands-on activities to develop concepts related to heat. Students offer explanations for their observations using given vocabulary.
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors
Students consider how to cut their energy use. In this physical science activity, students investigate the connections between energy use and climate changes. Students compute the actual electrical energy consumption of 2 bulbs and...
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Physical and Chemical Changes
Sixth graders complete several experiments about chemical and physical changes. In this physical and chemical science lesson, 6th graders complete 6 experiments about chemical and physical changes. Students examine the processes of...
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Physical Science Project-Atom
Fifth graders investigate atoms. For this atom lesson, 5th graders investigate the parts of an atom. Students explore atom numbers and determine the number of electrons is in each atom.
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Communications
Students incorporate different disciplines into this lesson. In this science lesson, students investigate the use of communicating without words, and how it is different than communicating with words. They discuss the pros and cons of...
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Circuits and Electromagnets- A Total Inquiry Investigation
Students investigate how electromagnets work. In this circuits and electromagnets lesson, students complete a series of four challenges using electricity and magnetism.
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Forces and Newton's Three Laws
Students watch demonstrations of forces and Newton's Three Laws. In this forces lesson plan, students watch four demonstrations and complete the associated worksheets associated with Newton's Laws. There is a PowerPoint that can be...
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Ocean Observations
Students examine a coastal ocean. In this physical science/earth science lesson plan, students generate a list of questions about how researchers study the ocean. In addition, students investigate, through research on the computer, to...
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Gravity Gets You Down
Learners design an experiment to investigate how objects with different masses fall. In this physics lesson plan, students predict how these objects will fall in a vacuum tube. They write a report explaining experimental results and...
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Light Reflections
Young scholars explore light. In this physical science light instructional activity, students display objects on a projection screen and investigate how light absorbs, refracts, transmits and reflects. Young scholars discuss common...
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Watershed Landscape
Middle schoolers demonstrate how water flows by building a human watershed using themselves. In this ecology lesson, students compare and contrast point-source and non-point source pollution. They write what they have learned from this...
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Forces and Motion
Students build parachutes for chicken eggs. In this physics lesson, students describe the forces acting on a falling object. They predict which of the three parachute models they made has the best chance of keeping the egg intact after a...
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Introduction to Minerals
Students discover how crystal structures go together to create minerals. In this earth science instructional activity, students work in groups to create 3-dimensional shapes of crystals that they then put together in a compact...
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The Noble Gases
Young scholars identify the different elements that belong to the Noble Gas family. In this chemistry lesson, students design a neon sign. They research how they are made and share their work with the class.
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Nonmetals
Students research about the chemical processes involved in cave formation. In this chemistry lesson, students draw or find a cave picture with stalagmites and stalactites online. They write a brief caption and share them with the class.
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Filtering Water
Students investigate the need for filtered water. In this filtered water instructional activity, students explore the health hazards posed from consuming unfiltered water. Students construct a water filtration device.
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Other Metals
Students identify the properties of transition metals. In this chemistry instructional activity, students research facts and uses of one aluminum product they choose. They create an advertisement highlighting aluminum's useful properties.
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Alkali Metals
Students explore the unique properties of alkali metals. In this chemistry lesson, students create a mural of fireworks display after researching its different element components. They write a brief description about an alkali metal used...
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Halogens
Students identify the elements that belong to the halogen family on the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson, students describe the common characteristics of elements in this group. They research about hydrochloric acid's effect on...
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Measure It Up!
Students investigate the states that water may take. In this physical science lesson, students read the book, Water: Up, Down, and All Around and recall the states of water from the book. Students examine how water takes the shape of its...
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Fun with Surface Tension!
Students explore physical science by participating in a water properties experiment. In this surface tension lesson, students utilize pennies, water, a dropper and soapy water to test the different surface tensions with numerous objects....
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Oxidation of Iron - An Example of a Combination Reaction
Here are photos and general instructions for demonstrating two oxidation reactions with your physical science beginners. They use salt and hydrogen peroxide to cause iron filings to rust, and they combine hydrogen peroxide with a piece...
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Principles of Physics: A Real Scream!
Students apply their knowledge of the physics principles of force, energy and motion to researching the physics behind amusement park rides.