Curated OER
Plants 'n' Bugs
Second graders experiment to find if pollinators have color preferences. In this plant and bug lesson, 2nd graders gather information about how flowers pollinate. Students participate in a pollination experiment using the...
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Strange New Planet
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. In this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...
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Ancient Farmers of the Amazon
High schoolers read a sample research proposal and create their own. They discover the type of information needed for others to reject or accept the proposal. They practice applying the scientific process to different situations.
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Cell Structure and Function
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
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Water Pressure Experiments
Young scholars perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
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Myth-try Cards Activity
Students read creation myths to learn various cultural explanations for natural phenomena. They select sharks and write myths to explain physical structures, behaviors or roles in ecosystems. They research the animals to provide...
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World Population Activity II: Excel
Students import UNEP World population data/projections from either the World Population Prospects: The 2002 Revision Population Database - UN Population Division or a text file. They graph this data by itself, and then along with...
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Recycling!
The students recall events from Dr. Seuss' story The Lorax and make connections to environmental issues affecting their lives. They are expected to reflect on the facts of the story and respond verbally stating the inferences they made...
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Frost Depth
Learners explore the concept of frost depth. In this frost depth lesson, young scholars conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to use a frost tube to measure, record, and graph frost depth data.
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Insect Monitoring
Middle schoolers participate in an interactive lesson using the scientific method to study biodiversity. For this insect monitoring lesson, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Middle...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Science Pen Pals
Students explore the scientific career of Benjamin Franklin. In this science instructional activity, students discuss Franklin's correspondence with other scientists and write letters describing Benjamin Franklin's experiments.
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What is the Nature of Science?
Students examine videos of field researach to discover the components of the scientific process. Using forms, they conduct community surveys about the nature of science. They research the extinction of dinosaurs and compare...
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Research Ethics
Young scholars develop an ability to distinguish between simple error, misconduct and fraud. Students are lead to consider a widening circle of the consequences of misconduct and fraud. They expand their knowledge on the...
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Developing Models
Students study the concept of a scientific model and demonstrate climate change models. In this scientific instructional activity students design a model using direct and indirect evidence and use it to make hypotheses.
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Air Is there
Students experiment to observe air and its mass. For this air lesson, students use the scientific method to complete experiments that demonstrate the properties of air. Students view a video as follow-up.
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Sowing Seeds: the Beginning of the Fast Plant Life Cycle
Students plant seeds, observe and tend plants. They identify major plant parts, how to germinate and troubleshoot problems with plants; and, that plants need water, light, and soil nutrients to thrive. They create a Plant Growth Data Log.
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The Bending and Bouncing of Light
Students investigate refraction and reflection of light. In this light activity, students perform 3 activities to observe light interacting with matter by using a flashlight. They explore refraction using a glass of water and reflection...
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Food Safety Lab
Students use the scientific method to investigate the role of temperature in microbial growth. In this food preservation instructional activity, students set up an experiment with fruit in room temperature and in a refrigerator. They...
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Urban Life: What Lives in Our Schoolyard?
Students research living organisms by exploring their school grounds. In this microscopic observation lesson, students gather materials, insects, and objects from their playground and schoolyard and bring them into class. Students...
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What's the Matter? (Experiments)
Students observe a scientific discrepant event, and are then challenged to create experiments to solve the dilemma.
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Galileo: His Times & Beliefs
Students study Galileo and his scientific discoveries. They complete a series of experiments/model constructions, using 17th century equipment and procedures, to "recreate," demonstrate and explore the various discoveries of Galileo.
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Inquiry in Science Using an Animal Behavior Model
Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...
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Colors
Students learn about the Impressionist painters' use of color and how it connected to early nineteenth century scientific theories about color. For this colors lesson plan, students explore combinations of primary and secondary colors,...
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Life Science- Learning About Tadpoles
Learners investigate a frog's life cycle. In this tadpole lesson, students observe tadpoles in an aquarium and record results. Learners fill in a KWL chart as an assessment.