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...
Nuffield Foundation
Extracting DNA from Living Things
Help! Someone's trying to take my DNA! An interesting lab experiment has scholars use basic materials to extract DNA. By applying ethanol, cold water, and a protease enzyme, like pineapple juice, they pull strands of DNA from peas,...
Curated OER
Blast Off
In this physical science exploration, small groups place a piece of antacid tablet into a film canister and step back to time how long it takes for the top to pop. They repeat the activity, altering either the amount or temperature of...
Curated OER
Who Done It?
Pick and choose which activities to include in this crime scene investigation. Junior detectives can examine fingerprints, DNA, blood samples, or bone structure. The plan suggests you have teams solve a mystery, but it does not...
Curated OER
The Influence of Carbon Dioxide on the Chemistry of Soda
Learners investigate the carbon dioxide content of different sodas. In this chemistry lesson, students explain why PET containers are preferable than HDPE for soda bottles. They collect data and graph them.
Curated OER
Nutrient Analysis Lab
In this nutrient analysis lab worksheet, students perform several experiments in a lab setting. Students test products for carbohydrates (monosaccharides and polysaccharides), proteins, lipids, and starches.
Curated OER
Coin Lab
In this experimental design worksheet, students experiment with three coins, a dropper and water. They determine how many drops of water they can put on each coin. They answer questions about their experiment and they design an...
Curated OER
Rate of Solution Lab
In this rate of solution worksheet, high schoolers determine how quickly a solute dissolves in a solvent by testing one independent variable such as temperature, particle size or the amount of stirring. Students design their experiments...
Curated OER
How Much Energy is Stored in Wood?
In this energy instructional activity, students create calorimeters out of soda cans and use them to calculate the amount of energy stored in different types of wood.
Curated OER
Ecological Succession in Pond Water Cultures
Students collect samples of pond water, dried grass, and soil in a jar. They predict the order of ecological succession in their pond water cultures. They compare their expected results with their observed results.
Curated OER
Determine the molarity of an unknown HCl solution
Students complete a lab to help develop a comprehension of stiochiometry. They review equation writing, equation balancing, and stiochiometry. Studnets are given the following information: Sloppy students from the previous class have...
Curated OER
Experiments in Nanotechnology: Ferrofluids
Students explore the world of nanotechnology by synthesizing ferrofluids in a series of chemical reactions. In small groups, they follow the procedure to create the ferrofluids using precise measuring techniques. They test the resulting...
Curated OER
Plant Life in Action
Sixth graders examine various habitats and record the living creatures they found. In this biodiversity lesson plan, 6th graders complete a worksheet recording their observations. Students draw conclusions about the climate and its...
Curated OER
Types of Chemical Reactions Lab
For this chemical reactions worksheet, students experiment with several different reactions and identify each as a single replacement, double replacement, synthesis, decomposition or combustion reaction. Students observe the changes in...
Curated OER
The Motion of a Virus Through a Population
Students test the factors that influence the rate at which a virus spreads through a population. They complete a lab activity then discuss data collected and review and answer a set of questions.
Curated OER
Measuring Calories in Food
Students measure the amount of calories in food. In this food energy instructional activity, students discuss what a calorie is, how our bodies use a calorie, and how many we need. Then, students use a calorimeter to calculate the amount...
Curated OER
Chemical and Physical Changes Lab
In this chemical and physical change instructional activity, students conduct a variety of experiments with unknown solutions and make observations. Students determine if the properties of the solutions have changed and if there is...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (5A) Lab
Fifth graders explore electromagnetic waves and light. In this light lesson, 5th graders draw the parts of a wave of the electromagnetic spectrum. They compare a flashlight to a laser to see how the light looks when shined through...
Curated OER
Mystery Powder Lab
In this mystery powder worksheet, students determine the identify of 6 unknown samples by testing them with cabbage juice for pH, vinegar, iodine for starch and heat. Students determine the identity of the mystery powders using their...
Curated OER
Ionic vs. Covalent Compounds Lab
In this ionic and covalent compound worksheet, high schoolers investigate the properties of three unknown substances in order to determine if they are ionic or covalent compounds. They write conclusions about their results.
Curated OER
Bacteria's Role in Food
Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen in an Aquatic Ecosystem
Students explain why dissolved oxygen is important in aquatic ecosystems. They evaluate the optimal dissolved oxygen levels for living organisms.
Curated OER
Genetics the Easy Way
Students use recyclable trash to construct a Recycle Critter family. They calculate the probability of the phenotype of the offspring that two heterozygous parents produced.
Curated OER
Understanding the Mole
Learners develop an understanding of the mole and molar masses of elements. For this mole lesson plan, students use beans to find their relative masses and draw parallels to the atomic masses of elements. Learners work in teams and each...