Curated OER
Model Mania
Eighth graders study the conservation of matter. In this chemical reaction lesson plan students examine what happens during a chemical reaction and complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Using Chromatography to Identify Unknowns
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of chromatography. They practice using new vocabular and observing experiments. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Trends of Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska
Students compare NASA satellite data observations with student surface measurements of snow cover and temperature. They practice data collection, data correlations, and making scientific predictions.
Curated OER
Using the Very, Very Simple Climate Model in the Classroom
Students study the relationship between the average global temperature and carbon dioxide emissions. In this weather lesson students develop a test scenario using a model then read and interpret graphs of data.
Curated OER
Pitch
Students experience sounds with different pitches. In this pitch lesson, students use open pipes as they are introduced to pitch, then make Straw Pan Pipes.
Curated OER
Animal Adaptations: Focus on Bird Beaks
Sixth graders explore bird beaks as animal adaptation. In this bird adaptation lesson, 6th graders conduct an experiment to determine the connection between the shape of a bird's beak and the food it eats.
Curated OER
What Are Some Different Ways You Can Group Buttons
Second graders classify and group buttons. They discuss how their buttons are alike and different, and identify the characteristics of their handful of buttons. Students then classify their buttons into three groups, and create a...
Curated OER
Living and Nonliving
Students use their senses to record and collect data. In How Do I Classify Things in My World?, students practice classifying objects as living or nonliving. In Is it Real Or Pretend?, students group objects as real or pretend. In What...
Curated OER
Biological Relationships - Coral Reef Memory Game and Chain Game
Middle schoolers familiarize themselves with the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem, and to use this knowledge to evaluate how the removal or decimation of one species can have far reaching effects.
NASA
Tools to Study Tornadoes and Galaxies
Take your class on an intergalactic journey as they explore the galaxy and various meteorological events taking place in our atmosphere each day. Learners investigate electromagnetic waves and the Doppler Effect before gathering radar...
Curated OER
Using Science Skills to Investigate Japanese Quail
Sixth graders explore Japanese Quail. They generate and record scientific questions about the quail. Students gather information from various sources and record their data. They compose an inquiry report and include it in a portfolio.
Curated OER
Tee Off!
Students explore about one of the many products created by gain-based process. They investigate the ways agriculture can protect and preserve the environment. Pupils use their scientific processing skills to conduct a full inquiry based...
University of Colorado
Is There Life on Earth?
To find life on another planet, scientists look for gases (atmosphere), water, and temperatures that are not extreme. For this activity, groups of pupils become "Titan-ians," scientists who want to explore Earth for possible life forms....
University of Colorado
Are All Asteroids' Surfaces the Same Age?
There are more than 600,000 asteroids in our solar system. Pupils analyze images of two asteroids in order to determine if they are the same age. They count craters for each asteroid and compare numbers.
Curated OER
Surface Water Supplies And The Texas Settlements
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the allocation and finding of water resources. The location of different settlement areas is considered as one looks how the water is distributed. They map some of the early Spanish and...
NASA
The Evidence is “Clear”!
Do you think you know better? Become a scientist and prove it. Scholars review the evidence for two different theories of the origins of the universe. They notice the empirical observations as well as the inferences to determine which is...
NASA
Supernova Chemistry
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
Curated OER
Archeological Thinking
Sixth graders review the differences between a historian and archaeolgists. At a recent archaeological dig site, they examine the artifacts and determine their usage. In groups, they are given a bag full of artifacts and write down what...
NASA
Discovering Some of Your “Yardsticks” Are Actually “Meter-sticks”
The Milky Way gets great reviews on Trip Advisor — 100 million stars. The activity allows scholars to rethink their assumptions and prior knowledge. Pupils observe a set of two lights at equal distance and brightness, but they believe...
PBS
The History and Use of Sampling Methods
Young mathematicians define population, draw convenience sample from the population, draw quota sample from the population, and draw random probability sample from the population. They explain why a random probability sample usually...
University of Minnesota
What's the Deal? Addiction Card Game
Addiction is a big deal! Playing a game of cards helps learners understand the concept of addiction. Through their analysis, they examine the potential for addiction and how it varies for each individual.
Curated OER
Coal Formation
Learners perform an in-depth study of coal - one of most important fossil fuels. Over a three-week period of time, they become familiar with how coal is formed underground, and will create a "fossil" right there in the classroom in order...
University of Colorado
The Moons of Jupiter
Middle schoolers analyze given data on density and diameter of objects in space by graphing the data and then discussing their findings. This ninth installment of a 22-part series emphasizes the Galilean moons as compared to other...
University of Colorado
The Jovian Basketball Hoop
A radio receives radio signals, converts them to an electrical signal, then converts this signal to a sound signal, and amplifies the sound so people can hear it. Class members use this information to create a short-wave radio antenna...