University of Colorado
Great Red Spot Pinwheel
The great red spot on Jupiter is 12,400 miles long and 7,500 miles wide. In this sixth part of a 22-part series, individuals model the rotation of the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. To round out the activity, they discuss their findings as a...
Colorado State University
Why Do Clouds Form in the Afternoon?
The stability of the atmosphere changes on a daily basis. A kinesthetic lesson models how the stability of the air changes as it's warmed by the sun. Learners connect their models to the changing air currents and movement of warm and...
PHET
Features of the Sun
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
Berkeley Engineering and Mentors
Marshmallow Catapaults
After a brief lecture on levers, torque, projectiles, and the five-step engineering design cycle, young physical science learners or engineers build catapults out of craft sticks. This is an open-ended exploration of what works and what...
Curated OER
Survival in Antarctica
Explore the harsh climate of Antarctica and its wildlife. Participate in experiments to determine how humans survive in the continent's climate, and address the difficulties faced by scientists.
Curated OER
Scientific Notation
Review conversion of decimal numbers into SN form with these examples of common astronomical applications and quantities. Young learners rewrite those numbers with scientific notation and with the correct units. The answers are available...
Curated OER
Pond Ecology
A lab activity is a great way to incite thoughtful questioning and scientific processes. Pupils will collect organisms with a Petri dish, make observations, sketch the organism, ask questions, then attempt to identify the specimen...
Curated OER
Aquatic Science
What a terrific way to explore the pond habitat! Learners discuss the animal and plant life found in the Long Island area. They also discuss vocabulary terms, identify pollution concerns, and resource conservation.
Teach Engineering
Fun With Nanotechnology
Introduce your class to nanotechnology applications with three demonstrations that showcase scientific principles related to ferrofluids, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles. Groups will work more closely with these applications in the...
Curated OER
Amounts of Dissolved Oxygen in Various Bodies of Water
Students test water to determine the dissolved oxygen content while displaying the proper use of testing instruments while visiting water testing sites. They determine if the amount of dissolved oxygen is appropriate for the tested...
Curated OER
Endocrine Review Sheet
Starting with a diagram of the kidneys and urinary tract of the human, this sheet has questions about excretion, blood concentrations of hormones, gland feedback mechanisms and the effects of some hormones.
Curated OER
Digestion & Nutrition: a Case Study
Middle schoolers explore digestion/nutrition and utilize scientific investigation skills. They complete meal logs for several days and graph their results. After analyzing their data, they write formal lab reports.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Quantum Physics
Students discuss the mass-energy relationship based on Einstein's work. They calculate the energy released in various scenerios and sketch diagrams for the Lyman, Balmer and Pfund Series. In groups, they discuss the role of photons and...
Curated OER
Sun Prints
Young scholars use coins to help them explore the sun as a source of renewable energy. They go outside in the sunshine and make a design by placing coins on their piece of black construction paper.
Curated OER
Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe
Eighth graders describe the energy transformations as cars travel over a roller coaster. They explain the principle of conservation of energy as it relates to a roller coaster ride. The integration of technology is done using educational...
Curated OER
Specific Heat Capacity of a Metal
Eleventh graders investigate the relationship between heat and energy transfer. They review terms including heat, work, calorimetry and the procedures for an experiment. After assembling the materials for the experiment, they observe...
Curated OER
The Consequences of Extinction
Young scholars participate in a class discussion on site of an older style bridge to help connect the significance of each organism in an ecosystem by using an analogy of bolts slowly being removed from a working bridge.
Curated OER
Studying Shadows
Students measure shadows and explore the altitude of the sun. In this sun instructional activity students will graph the length of shadows and solar altitude against time.
Curated OER
Measuring the Speed of Light
Learners explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. For this speed of light lesson, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. Learners identify...
Curated OER
Designing a Solar Concentrator
Learners design and build a solar concentrator. In this physics lesson, students evaluate their design and convince everyone why theirs is the best. They create a presentation and share it with the class.
Curated OER
Activity One -- Fundamentally Speaking
In this science worksheet, students examine how the universe is bound with the atomic particles and focus upon the findings of two historical scientists.
Curated OER
An Alien Periodic Table
Learners construct a periodic table based on the physical and chemical properties of elements. In this chemistry lesson, students share their work with the class and explain why they classified the elements that way.
Curated OER
"Performance Qualities" Dance Lesson Plan
Eighth graders move across a space practicing a dance as they work on focus and energy.