Curated OER
Variables
Students watch a video show how to identify the independent variable, dependent variable and controls in an experiment; and design experiments that use controls to isolate a single independent variable and measure the resulting dependent...
Mascil Project
Parachute Food Drop
Drop a perfect project into your lesson plans. Groups use different building materials to create models of parachutes for food drops. After testing out their prototypes, they make improvements to their designs.
Kenan Fellows
Climate Change Impacts
Turn up the heat! Young mathematicians develop models to represent different climates and collect temperature data. They analyze the data with regression and residual applications. Using that information, they make conclusions about...
Curated OER
Investigating the Effect of Minerals on Plant Growth
How do different minerals affect the growth of plants? Budding botanists find out in a multi-week experiment that has them using solutions with specific mineral deficiencies. While there is a lot of preparation for the investigation,...
Curated OER
Wetland vs. Stream Macroinvertebrates
A link to a comprehensive macroinvertebrate guide gives you the information needed to prepare for this field study activity. Sample macroinvertebrates are collected from areas representing different environmental conditions. Junior...
Cornell University
Beam Focusing Using Lenses
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
Science Matters
Earthquake Building/Shaking Contest
Japan is one of only a handful of countries that constructs buildings that are almost earthquake proof. The 13th instructional activity in the 20-part series challenges scholars to build structures to test against earthquakes. With...
Captain Planet Foundation
Adopt-A-Plant
Note the way that plants change during the season by adopting a plant on your school campus. After your class chooses their plant, they research the plant's needs, how it differs from other plants, find ways to support their plant's...
Curated OER
Power Metering Project
Young scholars collect and analyze variable data and understand the concept of electrical power. In this energy lesson plan students use a spreadsheet to manage their data and create box plots.
Curated OER
Forces and Graphing
Learners analyze graphs to determine relationships between variables and rates of change. They determine the basic concepts about static reaction forces. They determine the slope and equation of a line.
Curated OER
First Degree Equations
High schoolers establish a solid competence in solving all types of equations and a solid understanding of how variables and equations can be utilitzed to solve real life problems.
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.
Curated OER
Interpreting Data-Working with Controls and Variables
Young scholars review the meaning of control and variables, and state difference between dependent and independent variables. They complete a worksheet with the definitions and complete problems that show their understanding.
Curated OER
Classroom Science Fair Project
Students explore the skills and information needed to complete a science fair project. They follow guidelines to create an document their science fair project.
Curated OER
Life Science: Heavy Weight
High schoolers investigate adolescent obesity and its health impact. In this health and obesity instructional activity, students research the problem, develop a survey regarding eating habits, then analyze the nutritional information on...
Curated OER
Science: Motion Commotion
Young scholars examine Newton's three laws of motion to discover what causes it and how it changes. They conduct motion experiments by building catapults and constructing balloon rockets. Finally, they conduct peer studies correlating...
Teach Engineering
Airplane Tails and Wings: Are You in Control?
Keep everything under control. The lesson, the 16th segment in a 22-part unit, provides a more detailed look at the parts of a plane, specifically the control surfaces. Pupils learn about the construction of the wings and the tails and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Tilt of Earth's Axis and the Four Seasons
Geometry meets earth science as high schoolers investigate the cause and features of the four seasons. The effects of Earth's axis tilt features prominently, along with both the rotation of the earth about the axis and its orbit...
Curated OER
Testing the Accuracy of a Rain Gauge
Students identify and test variables that may affect the accuracy of a rain gauge. They share findings of their research with the class in a 'mini-meteorology-convention'. They design an experiment with a control setup to test their...
Curated OER
The Scientific Method
Students study the steps involved in the scientific method. They apply the scientific method to their science fair projects.
Curated OER
Marine Animals on the Move
Young scholars work with partners to track tagged animals using real-time data from satellites. Students gather and analyze data, compile information and conclusions and then prepare a final presentation of their research.
Curated OER
Using Photovoltaic Cells and Systems
This interesting document suggests nine different activities for shedding light on photovoltaic cells. A bit of background information is furnished for you, as well as many, many resource links. Listed for each activity are a learning...
Curated OER
Bubbles
Students experiment bubbles. In this scientific method lesson, students identify variables used in proper experiment design. Students conduct experiments with different brands of dish-washing detergent to determine which brand makes the...
Curated OER
Testing a New Drug 1
Students act as chief research scientists with the responsibility of testing a new drug. Students design a controlled experiment to test a hypothetical experimental drug. Students write a clear, concise, and detailed plan to present to a...