National Institute of Open Schooling
Adsorption and Catalysis
Adsorption, not absorption, is when atoms stick to the surface of an object, like water sticking to a grain of sand. An informative lesson delves into adsorption, teaching physical and chemisorption and the factors that affect them....
Curated OER
Soil Testing
Earth science learners experiment with the water-holding properties of sand, pebbles, and clay. They apply their findings to the building of a well. This activity is engaging and tactile, and it demonstrates the importance of considering...
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Thirstin's Groundwater Movement Activity
Students examine how ground water flows through different materials. In groups, they identify the different types of rocks in various aquifers. To end the lesson, they pretend to be water as others pretend to be rocks and try to make...
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The Other Water Cycle
Students examine human impacts on the water cycle. They compare/contrast the permeability of various materials for the purpose of engineering landscape drainage systems, and answer discussion questions.
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Water Filtration
Middle schoolers demonstrate the four of five procedures that municipal water plants use to purify water for drinking. A water filtration system is designed by a student and their partner. A data chart is made to record all observations...
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Wet Water, Dry Land
Young scholars observe and examine relationship between landforms and bodies of water, recognizing differences between them. Students then define island, peninsula, isthmus, archipelago, lake, bay, straight, system of lakes, and identify...
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Rivers and Streams
In this rivers and streams worksheet, students explore how rivers and streams react with the environment. Students also study where the major rivers flow in their local areas. Activities are provided that help students visualize the...
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Dolphins
Students explore sea life. In this cross curriculum fine arts, science, and P.E. "dolphins" lesson, students sing songs and play games about dolphins, perform water experiments, create mosaics, and use their five senses to explore sand...
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The Chemistry of Water
Students investigate the properties of water. In this chemistry of water lesson plan, students observe a demonstration of the properties of water using sand, sugar, oil, vinegar and salad dressing. Students experiment with water, pepper,...
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Water Works
Students investigate water use and what happens at a water treatment plant. They define and discuss key vocabulary terms, view a diagram of a water treatment plant, and conduct an experiment that simulates the water filtration process.
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Water Treatment Plant
Second graders create their own water treatment system. In this water treatment activity, 2nd graders create the water treatment system and record how it works. Students list materials they used and write about what they saw. Students...
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Freddy the Fish
Students complete an experiment. For this water pollution lesson, students brainstorm information about river habitats and water pollution. Students then read the story Freddy the Fish and complete an experiment where they use a...
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Water Wonders
Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology lesson, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom aquarium in which...
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Cleaning Water: How Filters Work
Students construct their own water filter to obtain clean water. In this filtration lesson, students produce tainted water in order to properly filter it with filtration devices made in class.
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Soil Porosity, Moisture Content, pH, and Density
This lab activity does not have to be done with AP environmental scientists. It can also be done with middle to high school earth scientists. The procedures aren't complex. Learners determine the density of dry and wet sand in order to...
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Sinkholes in a Cup
Students create sinkholes and learn about the formation of sinkholes by using water, a foam cup, sugar, sand, and a sponge. In this sinkholes lesson plan, students also answer short answer questions.
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#16 Separation Science Lab
Young scholars in this inquiry-based experiment, put in the role of a method development chemist. The scenario they are given is that a train wreck has occurred resulting in a chemical spill. Students are told that the spill mixture...
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The Rain Maker
Second graders work in small groups with a cup each of several materials. Students layer the gravel, sand, and water into a resealable bag. They draw a picture of this bag in their water journal. Students place their sealed bags in a...
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Activity Plan Mixed Ages: Pineapple Investigations
Students use all of their senses to explore a fresh, delicious pineapple. In this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in activities that encourage sensory exploration, problem solving, creative-thinking, language skills, and the...
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Land and People: Cape Cod Activity 1
Students make a model aquifer to study the uniqueness of Cape Cod's ground-water system. Using the model., they determine how easily contamination spreads in the aquifer system by completing and recording three activities. Using the...
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Groundwater Movement
Students study groundwater movement beneath the surface of the Earth. In this agriculture instructional activity, students experiment with how water moves through rock materials such as sand, gravel, and clay.
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Sea Level and the Terrapin
Students study the habitat of the terrapin. In this terrapin instructional activity, students create a diorama of the habitat of the terrapin. Students also simulate how it would look if people moved into the area and how predators can...
Science 4 Inquiry
Let's Get Moving
Rivers top the list of causes of erosion over time. Scholars experiment with wind, water, and ice reshaping sand. They connect the simulations facts about erosion and deposition to understand unique landforms such as the Grand Canyon and...
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Make Your Own Quick Sand
Students create a quick sand model using cornflour and water. In this earth science instructional activity, students explain why stirring the mixture quickly makes it thick but the opposite happens when you stir it slowly.