Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I'm Warm Now

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders graph how much water is wasted while waiting for it to get warm in the spigot in the sink. For this graphing lesson plan, student first predict how much water is wasted. That night they test it out at home and the next day...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Floating Golf Ball

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss density.  In this floating golf ball lesson students complete a lab activity on density while working in groups. 
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Density - To Float or Not to Float? That is the Question!

For Teachers 8th
Students investigate how to find the density of fluids and solids using math. Students also learn how to find the density of regular and irregular shaped objects.
Activity
1
1
Teach Engineering

Determining Densities

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Don't be dense—use a robust resource. The second installment of a five-part Floaters and Sinkers unit has learners determine the densities of several objects. As part of the activity, they learn the displacement method for finding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Make A Penny Float?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils explore the concept of density by trying to make a penny and other materials float.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Floating

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss with the teacher if everything will float in water. They observe a marble and determine whether it will float making predictions as a class. After observing the results, they discover that liquids exert an upward...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of Density in Sinking or Floating: Relational Causality

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students watch the teacher do a demonstration of density with diet and regular soda. Note: try this first, as different types of artificial sweetener have different densities. Students discuss density and volume. They discuss "Relational...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buoyancy: Who Sank the Boat?

For Teachers K
Students examine whether objects will sink or float.  In this buoyancy lesson students bring in objects and experiment to see if they sink or float.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Debris

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners perform experiments to examine if debris float, or blow in the wind. The effects of these characteristics on the marine debris are then discussed. They determine how a material can influence what becomes marine debris.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gift for the Indians: Model of the Mayflower in the Ocean

For Teachers K
Students build a miniature replica of the Mayflower. They make the boat float in a cup of water while studying the concept of gift giving on Feast Day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Density

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discover the definition of density through a demonstration using ethanol and ice cubes and a class discussion using a SMART Board to illustrate formulas and calculations. Students finish the lesson by practicing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Debris

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Now is the time to educate tomorrow's citizens to care for the planet, and here is a lesson to help facilitate the process. Collect some marine debris and bring it into class. Have your class separate it into types and then test each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Condiment Diver: The World's Simplest Cartesian Diver

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine buoyancy.  In this density lesson students form a hypothesis, collect data and draw a conclusion using the data. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pumpkin Science

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students investigate how plants grow by analyzing pumpkins. In this agricultural lesson, students read The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll, and draw pictures of a pumpkin in each of its growing stages. Students measure and dissect...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buoyant Boats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students design and construct a boat out of aluminum foil and a few other simple materials. The boats then be tested by floating them in water, then adding mass until they sink. They explore the various shapes of boat construction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density and Mass

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students experiment to find which liquids are more dense.  In this density and mass lesson plan, students predict and then test objects to observe and measure their density. students observe which items sink and float. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design a Plankton

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore animal and plant adaptation.  In this ecosystems science lesson, students view websites to gain information about plankton and its  interdependence within ecosystems. Students identify ways in which plankton...
Lesson Plan
Reach Out!

Paper Clip Sailing

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore water, molecules, and surface tension. In this floatation instructional activity, students discover why some objects are able to float on water as they follow the procedures included in this activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bang! You're Alive

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. In this history of life lesson, students explain two ways the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the Big Bang are of direct benefits to humans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Barriers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine geographical change. In this mountain barriers lesson, students conduct an experiment to discover how mountains affect surrounding land.  Learners draw conclusions on how change in land affects plant and animal life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day Six: Floater What Ifs

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Young scholars observe earth science by examining results from an experiment. In this buoyancy lesson, students practice floating different items in two different liquids and identify why certain objects will float and others sink. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ships 3: Grand Designs And Great Failures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in this, the third in a three-part series on ships. The overall lesson series is designed to allow students to extend their understanding of floating, sinking, density, and buoyancy and apply it to the design and testing...
Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Thirstin's Wacky Water Adventure

For Students K - 3rd Standards
Make a splash with young scientists as you teach them all about water using this activity packet. Thirstin, a cartoon glass of water, walks children through the water treatment process, teaches them about different sources of water, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discussing How Plants Grow

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Study how plants grow with your English language learners with a cross-curricular lesson revolving around pumpkins. These activities provide opportunities to practice new scientific vocabulary while practicing skills such as estimating...