Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lego Atoms and Molecules: Chemical Reactions
Show young chemists what a chemical reaction looks like with two parts of a hands-on experiment. First, learners conduct a wet lab where they observe the reactants (baking soda and calcium chloride, with phenolsulfonphthalein)...
Curated OER
It's OK to Reach Your Boiling Point!
Students view a video which introduces them to density and the states of matter. They experiment, collect data, and graph the boiling/freezing points of several edible items...and then make brownies!
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids and Gases - Part 2
Students experiment with balloons, soda water and raisins to find out about the states of matter. In this solids, liquids and gases lesson plan, students complete a group activity with balloons to recognize the state of matter in...
Curated OER
States of Matter
Students categorize items into one of the three states of matter. They participate in a demonstration in which they represent particles of matter. Finally, they complete an experiment in which they "race" top see who can make acetone...
Curated OER
STATES OF WATER
Students identify the various states of water. They use hypothesizing and hands-on experimenting on changing the states of water, the properties of water, and the role of heating and cooling in the changes of state.
STEM for Teachers
Temperature and Bounce
Take part in a fun experiment and hold an impromptu bouncing contest with your class. Young scientists heat and cool balls before bouncing them to determine whether temperature changes affect how they bounce. The set of...
Virginia Department of Education
States and Forms of Energy
Energy is just energy, right? Explain various forms of energy to your young scientists by using an interactive experiment that contains common objects to demonstrate complex concepts. Pupils conduct experiments for radiant, thermal,...
Curated OER
Physical Changes to Matter
Pupils explore matter by conducting an in-class experiment. They experiment with water's various forms by melting and freezing water, identifying its new shape. These observations are recorded to supplement later discussion. They also...
American Chemical Society
Matter on the Move
Start this mini unit on matter out by demonstrating how food coloring behaves when placed in cold and in hot water. Then have the class experiment with warm water and soap film. Pupils will learn that an increase in thermal energy also...
Baylor College
What Is the Water Cycle?
Small groups place sand and ice in a covered box, place the box in the sunlight, then observe as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation occur. These models serve as miniature water cycles and demonstrations of the three phases of...
American Chemical Society
Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup
As a stand-alone or as part of the intended unit, this is a valid investigation of what causes condensation to occur. By limiting the amount of air around a cold cup of water and comparing it to one out in the open, they find that...
Curated OER
Solids, Liquids and Gases
Students are introduced to the various states of matter. After watching a video, they discover how to compare the three states using its shape and volume. In groups, they participate in an experiment with solids, liquids and gases and...
Curated OER
State Change
Eighth graders explore the physical change of matter. As a class, they discuss their favorite super hero and determine if the hero undergoes a physical or chemical change. Students examine the change of state and phase change. In groups,...
Curated OER
Boot Reer Root Beer
Fifth graders investigate chemical reactions. In this physical science activity, 5th graders make dry ice root beer and identify the type of change that occurs to the root beer mixture.
Curated OER
Soapy Solids
Young scholars observe and explain how a change in temperature causes a physical change in a substance. In this physical science lesson plan, students use a soap making kit to observe the effects of adding heat to the bar soap...
Curated OER
Characteristics of Matter
Learners study matter. In this science lesson plan, students examine the relationships among gravity, weight, and mass, the metric measurement of distance and volume, and density and its application to physical properties.
Curated OER
Oobleck!
Students use Oobleck to investigate the properties of colloids. In this Oobleck and colloid lesson, students listen to the beginning of Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. They experiment with Oobleck (corn starch, water, and...
Curated OER
Kinds of Weather and What to Wear
Learners explore how temperature and wind contribute to types of weather. In this weather lesson, students observe an experiment in which ice, steam, and an electric fan are manipulated to produce results that simulate how fog and snow...
Curated OER
Our Picnic, The Study of Matter
First graders discover the properties of matter through hands-on experiences, 1st graders discover how to protect their Freeze Pop from melting.
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
Curated OER
Classifying Matter Game
Pupils identify the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, students differentiate the physical properties of the three states. They apply what they learned by playing a team game at the end of the lesson.
Curated OER
What's Matter?
Students explore many of the basic properties of matter including atoms, ions, elements, molecules, and density. The class explores an interactive flash-animated Web site to answer questions and clarify misconceptions they might have had...
Curated OER
Matter
Second graders discuss the properties of the three states of matter, and then sort objects into the proper categories, solid, liquid, or gas.
Curated OER
Funny Putty, Serious Stuff
Young scholars make putty and explore its properties. For this colloids lesson, students identify the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Then, they create a collide and examine its unique properties.