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Activity
Exploratorium

Corner Reflector

For Teachers 5th - 7th
If you set up a triad of mirrors into a corner figuration, they act as a kaleidoscope, bouncing light waves back and forth indefinitely, changing the light that your eyes perceive. Although the materials required are very specific and...
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Activity
Exploratorium

Hot Spot

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Not only does a concave mirror focus light waves, it can also concentrate infrared radiation into a hot spot. If you have a small electric heater and such a mirror, demonstrate this for your physical science class.
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PPT
Urbana School District

Magnetism

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
The compass was first used in 206 B.C., but we didn't discover magnetic poles until 1263 A.D. Presentation begins with the history of magnetism before continuing on to magnetic fields, magnetic forces, electromagnets, currents,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Absorption of Solar Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Two sequential parts to this lesson introduce your class to the electromagnetic spectrum, the ability to absorb radiant energy, and the pigments in leaves that are responsible for collecting sunlight to be used in the photosynthetic...
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Lesson Plan
Oceanic Research Group

Heat Transfer and Cooling

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sound

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners identify sources of sound, explain why people can't see sound waves and change the tone and volume of sound waves.
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PPT
Mr. E. Science

Sound

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Since light travels faster than sound, some people may appear bright until you hear them speak. The presentation covers what sound is, how fast it travels in various mediums, properties of sound, hearing, and the parts of the human ear.  
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Activity
Exploratorium

Bubble Tray

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Create jumbo bubbles and use them to teach about surface tension or interference, perfect for a physical science lesson on light or molecular attraction.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Tsunamis: Seeking Understanding in the Wake of Tragedy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use Internet research, articles, discussion and models to explore the dynamics of a tsunami. They focus on the 2004 Asian Tsunami and create posters illustrating their understanding of this phenomenon.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

How the Ear Receives Sound

For Students 4th - 8th
For this biology worksheet, students identify how the ear receives sound by using the information given to cut and paste each section to complete a flow chart that illustrates this. They lightly color each section of the flow chart to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Power

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the energy resources of the ocean. In this energy lesson, students participate in 4 activities focused on energy resources from the ocean.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Bleaching

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae, identify stresses to corals, and explain coral bleaching.  In this sea life lesson students predict the effects of increased temperatures on coral reefs. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pitch

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students experience sounds with different pitches. In this pitch lesson, students use open pipes as they are introduced to pitch, then make Straw Pan Pipes.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Using the Spectrometer

For Students 11th - 12th
In this physics worksheet, students observe white light through a spectroscope and describe what they see. Then they observe fluorescent light with the spectroscope and describe what they see. Students also describe why it is important...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sound Observations

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore sound waves by conducting an experiment in class. In this sound frequency lesson, students utilize a tuning fork in class and identify which objects in class create different sound pitches on the fork. Students conduct...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Sound Travel As Waves?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders participate in a number of activities designed to increase their understanding of how sound is generated and how it travels.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waves Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students demonstrate an understanding of tsunamis and possible causes.  In this investigative lesson students view a video and explore earthquakes and movement of tectonic plates. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physical Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use damp sand, a baking pan, and water to simulate erosion. In this erosion lesson plan, 4th graders participate in a simulation to show what moving water does to land.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Riding the Gravity Wave

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students write a sketch of an artist or athlete that has pushed the limits on gravity. They explore concepts of rhythm, balance and friction. They examine how engineers design sports equipment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Circuits

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers model the flow of electrons in a circuit, draw diagrams of an electric circuit and build an electric circuit. Students explain how to tell when the path of an electric circuit is complete, and test the conductivity of a...
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Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Jell-O® Waveguide and Power Loss

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function of...
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Why Is the Sky Purple?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The color of the sky depends on the time of day. Young scholars experiment with scattering different wavelengths of light to recreate the color of the sky. They observe both the longer blue wavelengths and the shorter red and orange...
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Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

The Black Scientific Renaissance of the 1970s-90s: African American Scientists at Bell Laboratories

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
A two-part lesson asks young scientists to research the contributions of African American scientists at Bell Laboratories. After presenting their findings, class members watch two demonstrations that introduce them to total internal...
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

Why Does it Get Colder on a Clear Night than a Cloudy Night?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Clouds are nature's insulator! A lab investigation asks learners to use an infrared thermometer to measure differences in infrared temperatures. They find that pointing the thermometer at a cloud has a much different result than pointing...

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