Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

A Crystal Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young chemists grow ionic crystals, metallic crystals, and supersaturated crystals in three different lab experiments. Observing these under a microscope allows pupils to compare the various structures. 
Lesson Plan
National Energy Education Development Project

Great Energy Debate

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
If someone yelled for eight years and eight months, they could produce enough energy to heat one cup of coffee. A lesson on energy encourages scholars to research 10 different energy sources in groups before playing a game. Twenty...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Formation Fun

For Teachers 4th
Students compare the three types of fossils: preserved organisms, mineral replacement fossils, and impression fossils. They create a model of amber, sponge fossil, and make traces of fossil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blowing and Flowing

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and evaluate the rate of erosion from water and wind on three type of landscape: bare land, land with sparse vegetation, and land covered by dense vegetation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the different types of magnets (bar, horseshoe, disc, ball, etc.) and experiment with the magnets and iron filings to discover the magnetic fields of each type of magnet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigation 3 - Weathering

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study 4 types of weather processes: wind, running water, plant growth, and freezing water. They explain how the processes of weathering and erosion change and move materials that become soil. They draw diagrams...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Motion Commotion

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine Newton's three laws of motion to discover what causes it and how it changes. They conduct motion experiments by building catapults and constructing balloon rockets. Finally, they conduct peer studies correlating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up For Renewal

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Want to know more about China's energy resources? Scholars will explore renewable resources implemented in China's energy plan. The will discover various types of renewable energy sources and discover how China is taping into these types...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wanted: A Breath of Fresh Air

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine the causes and effects of air pollution, as well as ways in which various industries and government organizations are aiming to control it. They research the topic on the Internet and create posters based on their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Importance of Fresh Vegetables and Fruits in Our Diets

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Students explore the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diets. For this science lesson, students discuss various types of fruits and vegetables. Students play the good health=good diet game. Students discuss types of fruits and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Web of Life - Role-Playing

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars role-play how organisms adapt to their environment. They play 20 questions with plant and animal habitats. They create a web of life to demonstrate how each plant and animal relies on the other for survival.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Relative Ages of Rocks

For Students 7th - 12th
In this ages of rock learning exercise, students will review the processes and techniques of determine the age of rocks. Then students will use a rock layer diagram to determine what rock materials are older or younger. This learning...
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 2: Gorongosa National Park

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How has Gorongosa National Park changed over time? Discover the park's rich history, dating back to primitive human times, through an interactive timeline and scientific reading. The second installment in an eight-part series explores...
Activity
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Teach Engineering

Get the Word Out at McDonald's!

For Teachers 7th - 9th
To get the word out that the Great Pacific garbage patch (GPGP) contains millions of pounds of non-biodegrading plastics, individuals research the GPGP and write an article for a newsletter. Researchers present their facts in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe and record different types of clouds. They use a cloud chart to discuss the three cloud types to see if students can identify the clouds they drew.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving the Earth

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders simulate the three primary types of fault movement lateral fault, reverse fault, and normal fault by positioning their hands and applying pressure to them to observe the similar action taking place in the Earth's crust.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Hard Sell on Stem Cells?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine their prior knowledge of cell regeneration and therapeutic use of stem cells. After reading an article, they discover new techniques for deriving embryonic stem cells. In groups, they research on the different types of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Make a Rock

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders watch demonstrations and conduct experiments that show the three different types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the causes of earthquakes and the various types of fault lines through a variety of hands-on demonstrations using prepared cakes. They record their observations in their science journals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students participate in a culminating activity for a unit on Energy and Simple Machines. They are challenged to incorporate simple machines in to a complex mechanical system. While designing and testing their machine they will also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat and Color

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct a simple experiment to explore the ways that color can affect heat transfer. They review the three ways that heat can transfer: conduction, convection and radiation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders are introduced to the six types of simple machines and discover how they make tasks easier. In groups, they rotate between stations to experiment with the different types of simple machines. To end the instructional...
Fill-in-the-blank

Nikola Tesla documentary student worksheet

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Shared ResourcePBS documentary: Tesla - Master of Lightning; this worksheet will keep the students engaged while watching this excellent documentary about Tesla. The documentary can be found on Netflix or YouTube. It will take two class periods to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

#1 Air Module Scenario

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are a small environmental consulting firm. This type of company is hired by companies and government agencies to do research into environmental issues and impacts. Students first task is that concerned parents related to their...