Curated OER
Do Plants Need Sunlight?
Students investigate whether plants need sunlight to survive. In this plant activity, students experiment with plants to learn about chlorophyll that plants get from light sources.
Curated OER
Experiments with Photovoltaic Cells
High schoolers explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. In this series of physics instructional activity, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their...
Curated OER
Oobleck
Second graders observe the properties of Oobleck. In this science and observation lesson, 2nd graders examine Oobleck and make a list of 10 properties that they notice. They explain their observations.
Curated OER
Intensity of Light
Students discover the relationship between the brightness of a light and the distance from the light. They identify two different ways of looking at the brightness of a light, how luminous light is and how illuminated an object is....
Curated OER
Understanding Waves
Students perform 3 hands-on activities to help them explain the terms "crest" and "trough" as related to sound, water, and light waves. All three waves types have troughs and crests. The activities use toys to demonstrate the properties...
Curated OER
All Those Seeing Color, Say Eye!
Learners research and discuss the roles of the eye and brain in the perception of color. They watch a slideshow and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Lighten Up!
Third graders observe light as a form of energy, that it can be reflected/bounced, refracted/bent and absorbed. They explore how different types of light affect our lives as a whole. Songs are researched that involve light (ex. "You...
Curated OER
Candy Reaction
In this triboluminescence worksheet, students use wint-o-green Lifesavers to observe a chemical reaction that gives off light. They break a lifesaver up with a hammer and make observations and they chew a lifesaver and make observations....
Curated OER
The Deep
In this deep ocean worksheet, students answer twenty questions after watching a video about the species that live in the deep ocean. Topics include jelly fish, hatchet fish, anglers, tubeworms, sea urchins, and plants that grow in deep...
Curated OER
Seed Germination
Students germinate a Mung Bean seed. For this seed lesson students conduct an experiment germinating a Mung Bean. They apply three different treatments to the seeds: dry, moist, and underwater incubation.
Curated OER
Air Pollution
In this air pollution worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by reviewing the different types and sources of air pollution. This worksheet has 13 terms to place into the puzzle.
Curated OER
Do Plants Eat?
Students explain that photosynthesis is a process that plants use to convert light energy into glucose. They summarize photosynthesis as a chemical process in which the plant uses carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen.
Curated OER
My World is Upside Down
High schoolers observe a demonstration on light. They construct a pinhole viewer, and explore and discuss the concept that light travels in a straight line.
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Sixth graders observe light being separated into a color spectrum. In this electromagnetic lesson students use a diffraction grating to separate light and compare light sources.
Curated OER
Earth Science Astronomy Unit: Seasons on Earth
Eighth graders describe how the Earth's position causes seasonal changes. In this astronomy lesson plan, 8th graders explain how solar radiation varies depending on the season. They create a collage or poster on each of the Earth's four...
Curated OER
Nuclear Energy
Atomic theory as a philosophical study was explored even by the Ancient Greeks. The knowledge of atoms was developed in the 17th century. This PowerPoint explains how by the 1940's, splitting of the atom was discovered and since...
Cornell University
Resolution—Not Just for the New Year
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
Curated OER
Sound Busters
Fourth graders engage in a study of sound pollution at their school. After a class discussion on what noise pollution is, learners are asked if they think there are areas of their school or community where noise pollution is a problem....
Curated OER
Who Turned the Lights Out?
Students discover the life cycle of butterfly by observing its growth from egg to caterpillar and the formation of its chrysalis. Students conduct an experiment in which they design housing for the chrysalises which are either in full...
Curated OER
Mission 6: Renewable Energy
In these renewable energy worksheets, students learn about renewable energy and energy sources. Students complete a 23 page packet for the activity.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Unit 2 - Section 2 - Fuels for Everything
In this alternative energy instructional activity, 6th graders read and study the varying types of fuel. Students read examples and ways that alternative fuel can be used.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #1 Solar Cell Inquiry
Students use a selection of solar panels, lamps, motors, and an AA battery to get as many motors or lights to operate as they can in an allotted time period. For each successful arrangement, they draw a diagram of their setup, label the...
Curated OER
Who's Got Your Power
Students examine and map local sources of energy. They conduct Internet research on their local utility company, identify where their utility company obtains energy, graph the data, and label a map of power plant locations in their state.
Curated OER
Solar Lesson
First graders complete sunlight and solar effects activities to learn about light and its power. In this solar activity instructional activity, 1st graders complete a sunscreen test activity, a light test, a black light test, a cloudy...