Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Flame and the Atom:

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the structure of atoms. Students read information about the Rutherford model, the Bohr model, and the Quantum Mechanical model examining each for its scientific validity. They watch a PowerPoint presentation of alpha...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Day the Atom Died (Grade K-1)

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate what is wrong with the Rutherford atomic model. For this chemistry lesson, students answer questions about the atomic model after watching a video. They draw conclusions from the video and discuss how the atomic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils are introduced to the structure of an atom and Dalton's atomic theory through a short video and mini-lecture. They also take a look at the weight of mass and become familiar with the idea of quantum theory
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grating Spectrometer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the Balmer series. In this physics lesson, students observe hydrogen lamp spectra using spectrometers. They calculate wavelength and compare them with their theoretical calculations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physicists or Philosophers?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Trace the sequential process of the developing theories of atomic structure in the early 20th century, show, in historical development, how scientists "know" things, how experiments are set up and how interpretations are drawn from them,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historical Development of a Scientific Idea

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine how scientist's contribute to atomic theory.  In this development of a scientific idea instructional activity students work in groups and research the development of the atomic model. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Angular Solution of Hydrogen Atom

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students participate in an angular solution of hydrogen activity. Using this activity, students also illustrate eigenvalue problems applied in mathematics. They explore Schrodinger's equation and particle wave duality.
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating II

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The scientific issue of carbon-14 dating and exponential decay gets a statistics-based treatment in this problem. The class starts with a basic investigation of carbon content, but then branches out to questions of accuracy and...
Lesson Plan
SRI International

Science of Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Water is crucial to survival. Scholars gain an appreciation for water by reading about it, learning about its atomic properties, and investigating its properties through six stations in a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the values of electron binding energies. In this physics lesson, students solve for different wavelength characteristics of X-rays. They present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Quantum Atomic Structure

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This multi-day lesson plan helps young scholars to understand how the models of the atom have changed and how quantum mechanics affects the electrons as they orbit the nucleus.