University of Tennessee
Potential Energy
Did you know a tennis ball has potential? Collaborative groups analyze the potential energy of a tennis ball based on its height. They measure its starting height and the height after its first bounce. Using a graphical analysis, they...
Curated OER
Ground Level Ozone
Students analyze real-time data and predict the level of ground ozone in their home city. They measure the level of ground ozone, submit their data to an online collaborative project, and create a web page presenting the dangers of...
Curated OER
Characteristics of Energy
Students explore Earth science by completing energy worksheets in class. In this energy forms lesson, students identify and define a list of energy vocabulary terms and a K-W-L chart. Students view a matter video clip in class and...
Curated OER
An Electro-Olympic Event: Lemon vs. Lime
Young scholars design a battery, identify and label the anode, cathode, electron flow, ion flow, oxidation & reduction reactions, chemicals used including the location of each;and distinguish between anode materials with regard to...
Curated OER
Splitting the Penstock
Students investigate the best way to calculate the measurements of an area. In this geometry activity, students relate a large circle to a cylinder and its measurements. They use PVC pipes to gain hands on experience as they calculate...
Curated OER
Calendar Time
Use circle time to work on counting. Kindergarteners practice the months of the year, say the full date, chart the day's temperature, count to 100, and sing the alphabet song. This kind of daily routine cultivates deep roots for...
Curated OER
Look at Those Leaves!
Students observe and sort tree leaves. In this plant biology lesson, students observe various types of leaves and identify the characteristics of each leaf. Students measure and sort leaves according to size and color.
Curated OER
Introducing Temperature Measurement
Students read a thermometer, associate weather conditions and seasons with temperature changes and keep a record of daily temperature.
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Moon's Craters
Fifth graders investigate the formation and size of impact craters. In small groups, they conduct an experiment that involves dropping marbles into flour and measuring the impact from various heights and discussing their hypothesis and...
Curated OER
Roll Away Trees
First graders participate in a simulation involving newspaper, food coloring, water, and more to observe the debarking process of producing wood. In this wood lesson plan, 1st graders also measure, and learn about reducing, reusing, and...
Curated OER
Calorie Connection
Students calculate the calories in a Brazil nut and the calories needed for daily intake. In this calories lesson plan, students use calorimetry to measure the change in water temperature heated by the burning of a Brazil nut. They also...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Keep It Movin'!
Learners conduct an experiment to study friction. They complete a KWL chart on friction and conduct an activity about the amount of friction on a moving object. To conclude, pupils create a table or graph of the data collected and they...
Curated OER
The Solution to Pollution is Dilution
Students consider what happens to herbicides or insecticides that are used in agricultural practices, especially herbicides that are used to control noxious weeds. They become acquaint with a chemical assessment method known as...
Curated OER
To The Clock of Eras
Third graders investigate the events of geological time using a chart called a "Clock of Eras". In this geological events lesson plan, 3rd graders compare a standard clock to a geological clock. In addition, students consider periods...
Curated OER
Creeping and Crawling Observing Mealworms and Earthworms
Students observe the inherited traits in earthworms and mealworms. In this organisms instructional activity, students view a live mealworm and earthworm on a tray and identify the body parts. Students measure the worms and observe the...
Curated OER
Understanding How Potatoes Grow
Second graders make a KWL chart and brainstorm what they need for the project of growing potatoes. They choose one potato and plant it in water or peat moss cups and choose a location in which meets the needs of the plants and make their...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Watch That Plant Grow
Middle schoolers examine the growth of marigolds in a greenhouse environment. They chart data in spreadsheets showing plant growth over time and under a number of conditions. They record measures of plant height and greenhouse temperature.
Curated OER
Volcanic Activity in the U.S.
Students locate and map ten volcanoes in United States, create chart comparing volcanoes by last eruption, type of volcano, location, and interesting fact, and create Powerpoint slide show describing basic
information about volcanoes and...
Curated OER
Hot Air Balloon Design Lesson Plan
Sixth graders discuss what they know and what they want to know about hot air balloon using a KWL chart. They then use a wide array of materials to design a hot air balloon that will lift successfully in cooperative groups referring to...
Cornell University
Resolution—Not Just for the New Year
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
Teach Engineering
Concentrating on the Sun with PVs
Concentrate to determine the best reflector design. Pairs use the engineering design process to build a reflector to increase the current output of a photovotaic panel. Teams arrive at a final design and present it to the class along...
Curated OER
Getting to Know Soil
Students make predictions and analyze soil. In this soil properties instructional activity, students make predictions about soil properties for various soil samples. Students examine the types of soils and record their observations....
Curated OER
Weather Chart
Students select at least 6 cities from around the world to keep track of their high and low temperatures over a period of time.
Curated OER
Leaping Lemurs! How far can you jump?
Students watch a segment of the PBS video which show the lemurs' ability to jump. In pairs, students collect measurement data involving each other's length of a standard step, a standing broad jump, and a long jump. They record their...