Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pressure

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners participate in a series of demonstrations about Bernoulli's principle. They explain how air pressure varies with air speed. They write a detailed lab report about the activity. This is a great way to explore this concept.
Lesson Plan
Science Friday

Microorganisms on the Move

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
You can't b. cereus until you see this lesson! Young microbiologists learn to prepare deep well slides, observe two types of microorganisms, and compare and contrast their physical characteristics in this interactive and lively activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disguise for the Eyes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scientists discover how many, many animals use color as a way of helping them to survive in the wild. They understand how animals use color in their everyday lives. Pupils engage in hands-on activities, watch videos, access...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Explore ethanol and how it is produced. Young scientists investigate photosynthesis and fermentation to the concept of conservation of energy and mass. They discuss the environmental and economical benefits of ethanol as a fuel additive.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements Commercials

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Student teams use a digital camcorder and iMovie to create a commercial about an element. They also use the Internet and their textbook to gather the following information about their element: the name, the symbol, the atomic number, the...
Lesson Plan
Wild BC

The Greenhouse Effect: Warming the Earth Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
First in a two-part lesson on the greenhouse effect, this lesson involves a classroom demonstration of the phenomenon, and a lab group experiment with color and absorption. Although there are easier ways to demonstrate the greenhouse...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Making Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Some like it hot! Scholars observe both exothermic and endothermic reactions as part of the carbon dioxide oxygen cycle. First, scientists demonstrate (or watch) a chemical reaction to create pure oxygen using fire for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sweet Twinkies, Density and Sugar Chomping Yeast: A Look at Physical and Chemical Reactions in the Kitchen

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners investigate matter. In this physical science lesson plan, students will learn about matter, physical states, and reactions. There are a series of four lab activities that will be conducted.
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Beam Focusing Using Lenses

For Students 11th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Light Waves: Grades 6-8

For Students 6th - 8th
Explore the behavior of light with different materials. Collaborative groups determine whether certain materials absorb, reflect, diffract, or transmit light waves. They then measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Shadow Puppets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the art of shadow puppetry. For this performing arts lesson, students study the functions of lighting in the puppet theater as they examine the transmission, absorption, and reflection of light. As a culminating...
Lesson Plan
Santa Monica College

Single and Double Displacement Reactions

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate! Young chemists learn about single and double displacement reactions including precipitation reactions, neutralization reactions, and gas forming reactions. They perform...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What About Cantaloupes?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the physical properties of cantaloupe using their senses. In this life science activity, 2nd graders estimate the weight of their sample. They get it's actual weight and compare it with their estimate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science-Unit on Matter-Gases

For Teachers 1st
First graders understand that gases take up space even though you can't see or smell it. This is done through many experiments like trapping air in different sized bags, using balloons and plastic bottles, and blowing bubbles. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Critter? Growth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify and use the elements of the scientific inquiry to solve problems. They explain concepts about the structure and properties of matter. Pupils write an explanation of polymers and how the characteristic of polymers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

States of Matter: Liquid

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students work in a mini lab where they measure the temperature every 30 seconds for several minutes as water is heated. They are asked what makes liquid different from a solid. Students view a PowerPoint on the model of liquids,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical and Chemical Properties

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the difference between physical and chemical properties. They also discuss changes in matter, known as physical and chemical changes. They observe and discuss several demonstrations of both physical and chemical changes
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ready, Set, Let's Dough! It's A Matter Of System

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover that everyday substances are composed of parts that make a unique whole. Thsy examine a complex system when they create their own play dough by taking several parts and creating a whole.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Matter of Fact

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students design their own Science experiment. For this science experiment lesson students create a hypothesis related to matter and test it. They displayed their data in a graph.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wonderful World of Polymers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the concept of polymers. They discover unique properties and how polymers are natural. The lesson contains sufficient background information for the teacher. Students examine different types of materials and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ice cream in a Bag

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students make ice cream from scratch. They discuss the Food Guide Pyramid and what constitutes healthy and unhealthy food choices. Students experiment states of matter - solids, liquids, and gases. They predict each stage of the ice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Laws of Motions

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the Laws of Motion. They define friction and explain the concept of inertia. Students explain what happens when a force is exerted on an object that is in equilibrium. They state the second and third laws of motion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

11 - The Heat Is On

For Teachers K
Students observe physical change of melting by observing substance in original state, melting substance, allowing substance to return to original temperature, determining if substance retained its original properties, and recording results.