Teach Engineering
What Floats Your Boat?
Clay's as good a material as any to build a boat, right? An introductory lesson plan sets the stage for two activities associated with buoyancy. The first involves building boats out of clay, while the second uses these boats to measure...
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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.
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Density: Float or Sink
Young scholars discover density. For this density lesson, students discover the properties of objects that allow them to float or sink in water.
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Water Quality
Students investigate the properties of oil and water by making marbleized paper. They examine fish species by making Japanese fish prints and 3-D cardboard fish. They create posters that present messages about conserving our waterways.
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Underwater Picture of the Hudson River Estuary
Students identify important aspects of water quality such as slainity and turbidity. They test two of the water quality parameters and determine the quality of the water. In addition, they construct two sets of graphs based on data...
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Water: The Liquid of Life
Sixth graders complete a lesson on the properties, types and amounts of water on Earth. In groups, they travel between stations to identify water resources in Illinois and pollution sources. They complete the lesson with a field trip...
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Using Bubbles to Learn about Light Interference
Students explain the wave properties of light.
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The Basics of Biochemistry
Science teachers can introduce basic chemical concepts to biology students.
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Ocean Murals
Students identify characteristics of water. They describe the process by which light decreases and pressure increases as water depth increases. They demonstrate the principle of water pressure in a small group experiment.
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Learning About Matter And Energy
Students learn about matter and energy. For this science lesson plan, students gain an understanding of the properties of matter and energy as they discover that some things float, some things dissolve in water and discuss that energy...
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The Unmixables: Investigating Immiscible Liquids
Learners build an understanding of the properties of liquids and research the immiscible properties of different milks through group experiments. For this immiscible liquids experiment, students investigate what happens when certain...
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Wet Pennies
Learners conduct a simple test to determine how many drops of water, rubbing alcohol and vegetable oil can be placed on a penny before spilling over. They consider how varying surface tensions allow for different amounts of each liquid...
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Making Ice Cream
First graders create ice cream in class. In this matter lesson plan, 1st graders discover solids, liquids and gases and the properties of each. Students produce a batch of ice cream in class using household items.
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Chapter 3 Worksheet Matter
For this matter worksheet, students answer ten questions about matter including the phase of matter, mixtures and how they are different from compounds, the physical and chemical properties of matter and the difference between...
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Rocks and Soil
Middle schoolers explore the physical properties of rocks. They explore the three different types of rocks and are able to compare and contrast their different properties. Students simulate the creation of sedimentary rock, they also...
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Hot Cans and Cold Cans
Learners investigate the physics of heating and cooling through conduction, convection, and radiation. Working in groups, they determine the best way to cool a can of water and warm a can of water. Temperature is taken at five minute...
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Making a Pinhole Camera
Young scholars construct a pinhole camera in order to explain the basic property of the inversion of light. A well-designed and effective instructional activity.
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What is the Best Insulator: Air, Styrofoam, Foil, or Cotton?
Students investigate the properties of insulators by attempting to keep a cup of water from freezing, and once it is frozen, to keep it from melting. They conduct the experiment, record and analyze the results, and answer discussion...
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Polymers Lab: Bouncy Ball and Slime
Eighth graders investigate chemical reactions to produce polymers. In this polymers lesson plan, 8th graders experiment with sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol to make a polymer. They also experiment with borax and glue to make a polymer....
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Ice Floats
Students explore the changing density of water. In this physics lesson plan, students investigate how an object's density determines whether it will float or sink in water. They explain why this unique property of is important to living...
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What's In Your Stream?
Students conduct hands-on fieldwork in order to investigate water quality of a nearby stream. They discuss watersheds and how it affects water quality as well as identify any causes of changes or pollution in the area water before...
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LEAGUE: Into the Desert: Lesson 1
Students discover the human and physical characteristics of desert regions. For this regions lesson, students describe deserts around the world, discuss animals, vegetation, water conservation, and how humans can care for the land.
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Sound
Fifth graders explore and examine the basic properties of sound. In pairs, they speak through a balloon and listen to the sound vibrations, and listen to a ticking clock or watch through a variety of materials and identify the...
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Trapping CO2
Students investigate climate change and how the properties of carbon dioxide and methane play a part. In this climate lesson students use a chemical reaction to trap CO2 and methane.