Virginia Department of Education
Molar Volume of a Gas
What is a chemist's favorite plant? Stoichiome Tree! Scholars produce hydrogen gas by reacting magnesium with hydrochloric acid. Then they calculate the molar volume of the gas produced before answering assessment questions.
Virginia Department of Education
Radioactive Decay and Half-Life
Explain the importance of radioactive half-life as your high school biologists demonstrate the concept by performing a series of steps designed to simulate radioactive decay. Pupils use pennies to perform an experiment and gather data....
Virginia Department of Education
Laboratory Safety and Skills
Avoiding lab safety rules will not give you super powers. The activity opens with a demonstration of not following safety rules. Then, young chemists practice their lab safety while finding the mass of each item in a mixture and trying...
Curated OER
Student Autobiography: An Approach Through Journal Writing
Students write about an ordinary, everyday happening such as riding in the family car, preparing for school in the morning, doing the wash, shooting a foul shot or sitting in English class. They look at how he/she spends time during the...
Curated OER
The Long and Short of It- Shadows
Students trace shadows. In this light and shadows activity, students conduct an experiment to determine what a shadow is and what is necessary to make a shadow. Students observe how shadows change as well as write and draw shadows in...
Curated OER
So You Want To Travel To Namib
Middle schoolers research and plan a trip to the Namibian desert. They watch and discuss a video, develop a list of the harsh conditions while viewing the film, identify the precautions needed for traveling in the Namib environment, and...
Curated OER
Grow, Grow, Grow
Students listen to literature selection, describe life cycle of silkworm, discuss what they know about growth in living things, observe silkworms for one week and record observations in science journals, and review stages of growth.
Curated OER
Clouds
Second graders explain what a cloud is, how it is formed and what the various types of clouds are. They do an experiment which shows them how to "make" a cloud, and write in their science journals about a "crazy weather day."
Curated OER
Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt
Students conduct research on dinosaurs and graph the information gathered using a spreadsheet program. In pairs they complete an Internet scavenger hunt, and record five facts about dinosaurs in their science journal.
Curated OER
Plaster Casts of Natural Objects
Fourth graders observe objects in science and create a contour picture of the the object. In this arts and science observation lesson plan, 4th graders develop a clay sculpture of their object. Students generate a list of...
Pingry School
Comparing Activities of Selected Metals
Don't overreact! A simple experiment demonstrates chemical reactions as scholars mix chemical solutions and metals in a large well plate. They note all changes to the metals, solutions, precipitate, colors, and more. A full data table...
Curated OER
Following The Sun
Students investigate botany by conducting a plant growth experience. In this sunlight lesson, students utilize two potted flowers, depriving one of direct sunlight, and recording their growth process in science journals. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Keying Rocks
Fifth graders observe several examples of types of rock and write about their similarities and differences in their science journals. They discuss their observations and discover that rocks are grouped according to the scientific...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Light Is
Students explore the properties of light. In this light lesson, students investigate visible light by viewing a website, examining an electromagnetic spectrum chart, and observing light demonstrations. Students write about their...
Curated OER
"Lions and Tigers and Bears-Oh MY!"
Students explore the characteristics of an animal. What do all animals need to live and can what we expect to accomplish by studying about animals. They keep a science journal daily.
Curated OER
Teaching Science Process Skills
Teaching science process skills is a vital part of helping students become good scientists.
Curated OER
Animal Diaries
Students read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing lesson plan, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Students apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students share their...
Curated OER
What Makes Up a Healthy Watershed
Students, after observing the elements of a local watershed, explore the need to protect watersheds as water resources for the future. They examine the factors involved with a watershed: geology, ecology, and the effect of man's...
Curated OER
Clouds
Students explore basic cloud types and the weather associated with each one. In this earth science instructional activity, students participate in numerous activities including going outside to observe the clouds they see,...
Curated OER
The Physical Behavior of Matter
Students distinguish between three phases of matter: solid, liquid and gas, on the molecular level. They compare and predict the relative compressibility of the three phases of matter through journal writings and drawings.
Curated OER
A Pill with a View
Students brainstorm a list of potential uses for micro-video technologies. After reading an article, they analyze the development of a new pill-sized camera. In groups, they create a children's book that shows them the various systems of...
Curated OER
Through the Looking Glass
An engaging and ambitious series of four lessons invites high schoolers to view art work, have group and class discussions, construct time lines, compile photos, and conduct research. Learners share their experiences, create...
Curated OER
"Write" Answers
Students examine the Q.& A. articles found each week in Science Times, focusing on how the answers are presented in a clear and logical way, as well as the relevance of understanding science's roles in our daily lives.
Curated OER
The Sounds of Science
Students assess the relationship between music and science by learning how various musical instruments work. They create a poster, presenting the research conducted in class that focuses on a specific musical instrument.