Curated OER
Inquiry and the Nature of Science
Students identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations, design and conduct a scientific investigation. They also use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
Curated OER
Inquiry into Infectious Disease: It's a Germy World After All
Students choose a question from a given list and develop an investigation about it. In this biology lesson, students analyze bacterial growth by carrying out a guided experiment. They present their findings in class.
Curated OER
Plants In Space
In this biology instructional activity, students grow corn plants in growth pouches as the control group in an experiment on plant growth in microgravity. Then they analyze any differences that occur between Earth-grown and space-grown...
Curated OER
Heat Energy
Students study how matter changes from solids to liquids or liquids to solids. In this physical science instructional activity, students discuss heat energy and experiment with heat by changing a candle into a liquid using a hot plate.
Curated OER
The Phantom of the Computer Lab
Students calculate the power consumption of computers in school. In this physics lesson plan, students design an experiment to determine whether the school should unplug computers at the end of the day. They collect data and report...
Curated OER
Climate Change & Coral Activities
Learners study how the ocean stabilizes our planet's climates and how global warming is becoming a threat to this fine balance. In this climate change lesson, students identify that fossil fuel emissions are responsible for...
Curated OER
Diaper Inquiry
Fifth graders carefully examine and investigate the products contained in a diaper. They particularly analyze the crystal sodium polyacrylate, a product developed for use in astronaut diapers. They follow the scientific method, forming...
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...
Curated OER
Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind
High schoolers are introduced to the principles involved with technological design. In groups, they use the Internet to research an important historical innovation and how it changed the world. They discover the barriers that were...
Curated OER
Critter? Growth
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...
Curated OER
Symmetry in Paper Airplanes
Students explore symmetry. In this geometry and scientific inquiry lesson, students design paper airplanes with middle line symmetry, as well as right, obtuse, and acute angles. Students measure the plane's angles using a...
Curated OER
Science Activity for Grades 4 - 8
Students use the scientific method and see the relationship between explanation and evidence as they investigate the effects of violence on young viewers.
Curated OER
A Pollution Solution- Taking Care of the Environment
Students examine the biodegradability of different brands of toilet paper in a hands-on activity. Through this activity they also discover the steps of the Scientific Method and use new terms such as hypothesis, procedure, observation,...
Curated OER
Snow Goggles
Middle schoolers assemble snow goggle models and discuss how snow goggles change the amount of light shining in their eyes.
Curated OER
Composting
Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...
Curated OER
Science is a Wonderland
Students use the scientific method to study Animalia and Plantae Kingdoms. In this science inquiry lesson, students watch a PowerPoint about science process skills. Students complete the National Geographic bottled Eggs-periment or the...
Curated OER
Catapults
Students are introduced to the concept of a catapult and how it is used with the help of a media presentation. They use catapults in a large, open area and record the distances objects travel. Students use the scientific method while...
Curated OER
Floating Soap
Pupils use the Scientific Method steps to complete an experiment on various brands of soap to determine their floating capabilities. In this scientific method lesson, students write a hypothesis about the ability of various soap bars to...
Curated OER
Yeast Cells and their Environment
Students study the scientific method and explore how to design an experiment. In this investigative lesson students explore and hypothesis an experiment then carry it out to find the results.
Curated OER
Rusted Roots
Middle schoolers create a flowchart on the root cause method. In this inquiry lesson, students compare RCA and the DMAIC model with the scientific method of problem solving. They investigate a problem in school and present their findings...
Curated OER
The Tale of the Feral - Care and Multiplication of Feral Cats
Students differentiate between a feral cat and a domesticated cat. In this cat lesson plan, students use the scientific method, calculate averages, solve story problems, and learn how a caretaker can help a feral colony live safely.
Curated OER
A "Real" Picuture of a Scientist
Learners share their own stereotypes when they talk about scientists. In groups, they draw a picture of a scientist where they are working and the tools they most commonly used. Using the internet, they discover how archeolgists use the...
Curated OER
The Mystery Box
Students work in groups with a wooden box that is sealed shut. They make predictions about what is inside the box. Before being allowed to open the box, the groups make hypotheses, conduct experiements, record results, draw conclusions,...
Curated OER
Wheels on the Bot Go Round and Round, Part II
Students hypothesize about the relationship between tire size of CEENBoT and ability to move a load. In this physics instructional activity, students design an experiment to test their hypothesis. They record results and formulate...