Cornell University
Nano What?
The size of a nanoparticle is difficult for pupils to grasp. A hands-on experiment is designed to give your classes perspective. Learners analyze different sports drinks for the content of electrolytes as an introduction to nanoscale....
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Creating and Testing Silver-Nanoparticle Socks
Antibacterial socks are a product of nanotechnology. An inquiry-based lesson asks collaborative groups to create their own antibacterial socks and then test them against other products on the market. The sock with the least amount...
Curated OER
The Unmixables: Investigating Immiscible Liquids
Learners build an understanding of the properties of liquids and research the immiscible properties of different milks through group experiments. For this immiscible liquids experiment, students investigate what happens when certain...
Curated OER
Trapping CO2
Students investigate climate change and how the properties of carbon dioxide and methane play a part. In this climate lesson students use a chemical reaction to trap CO2 and methane.
Curated OER
Ocean Currents
Pupils label the names, relative temperature, distribution, and direction of flow of major ocean currents on a world map. They also explore and model the natural forces that affect the movement of ocean currents through demonstrations in...
Curated OER
Icebergs Ahead!
Learners examine icebergs and how they are suspended in water, why ice floats, the melting process of an iceberg, and the floating behavior of ice compared to that of a cork through a lab activity.
Curated OER
Evaporation
Young scholars study the evaporation stage of the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson plan, students participate in an experiment to study the process of evaporation that uses jars and water. Young scholars complete an...
Curated OER
pH Pre-Lab: Acids and Bases
In this chemistry lab, students determine whether or not their saliva is acidic, basic, or neutral. After completing their test, they answer 6 analysis questions.
Curated OER
Not A Drop To Drink
Fifth graders discuss ways that humans pollute our natural water supply. They observe a video about water pollution. Students identify eight different ways water is contaminated. They investigate an oil spill by conducting a hands-on...
Curated OER
Project Geode
Young scholars predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
Curated OER
Measurement of the Depth of the Ocean
Students comprehend the physical properties of pressure and Boyle's Law by designing a depth gauge. They construct a capillary depth gauge and calculate the calibrated depth marks of the capillary tube. They determine the margin of error...
Curated OER
Is Your Water Clean?
Students compare water quality of different sources. They test water samples for odor, phosphates, pH, bacteria, and dissolved solids. they fill out a data table and answer questions about their findings.
Curated OER
A Matter of Fact
Third graders define matter as anything that takes up space and has mass, recognize, through experimentation and observation, that matter exists in three forms, including solid, liquid, and gas, and discuss characteristics of each form...
Curated OER
Density Lab Activities
Students participate in several density lab activities in order to clarify the misconceptions that solids sink and liquids float. Students work with triple beam balances to find mass of objects to calculate density.
Curated OER
Changes of State
Students examine molecules and the changes in energy of a system. In this energy systems lesson students complete a lab activity and describe changes of state.
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Measuring Natural Objects
Students predict the measurement of objects. In this measurement lesson, students estimate the measurements of objects in a lab. Students measure irregular objects and generate scientific observations.
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The Exceptional Nature of Cellulose
Students observe the affects of a substance's composition and structure have on its solubility. In this cellulose lesson plan students compare the amount of energy required to dissolve mono-saccharides with that required to...
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The Basics of Biochemistry
Science teachers can introduce basic chemical concepts to biology students.
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Tsunami
Students explore tsunami through various hands-on activities. For this earth science lesson, students explain how they are formed. They create tsunami and earthquake models in the lab to observe how they are generated.
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Playful Polymers
Eighth graders investigate polymers and their structures. For this polymers lesson, 8th graders perform 6 activities to learn about polymers and their molecular structure. They categorize a bag of items as polymers and non-polymers based...
Curated OER
Warming by Freezing
Ninth graders discover the reasoning behind spraying water on fruit and seedlings in preparation for hard freezes. In this conceptual physics lesson, 9th graders conduct an experiment to measure the heat released when water goes from a...
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Mystery Powders
Fifth graders evaluate the physical properties of 5 powders. Each powder is subject to different conditions. They describe each observation as with a chemical change or a physical change.
Curated OER
What Influences Reaction Rate?
Students study reaction rates, what determines how fast a reaction happens and how the chemical changes occur. In this reactions lesson students complete a lab where they use Alka-Seltzer to observe reaction rate and create a graph...
Curated OER
Color and Light Spectrum Demonstrations
Students explore the light spectrum. The teacher uses holographic diffraction grafting film on an overhead to demonstrate the true nature of color. After observing a vivid rainbow, students recognize that white light is composed of all...