Cornell University
Atomic Bonding
Explore the connection of surface area to bonding within atoms. Learners complete lab investigations to model changing surface area with different sizes and concentrations of atoms. A flour fireball demonstration follows the labs to...
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Density
In this density activity, students read a selection on density and answer 10 questions using the information from the selection.
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Classifying Matter Game
Students 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.
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Sink or Swim
Students define density and explain how to determine the density of an object. Students participate in a demonstration that shows the differences in the densities of different liquids and how they affect the liquid's physical properties.
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Construct with Solids
Students discover which properties of solids lend themselves to building a tower through hands on trial and error and observation of others as they are building. They write down the steps it took them to build the tower and label an...
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A Simple Viscosity Test
Fourth graders experiment with the viscosity of different liquids. They use a stopwatch to time the a steel ball as it drops through different liquids.
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Daily Survival Requirements of Water
Students will use inquiry science to complete an investigation. They create hypotheses predicting the changes water undergoes in becoming ice and determine how much ice needs to be melted to create one 8 oz. glass of water.
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States of Matter
First graders break into groups of five students and are given 15 different objects and 3 posters. They group the objects into 3 different families with all the objects in each category placed on one of the posters. They choose whatever...
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Vision Props of Signed Numbers
Young scholars explore the concept of titration. For this titration lesson, students observe acid and alkaline reacting. Young scholars discuss pH factor, measuring acidity, neutrality, and alkalinity of liquids. Students put the pH of...
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Investigating Earth's Materials
First graders compare and contrast water from different sources. After collecting water from various sources, 1st graders create a list of observable properties of the water. Students then pour the water into a filter and observe the...
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i-Density Crisis
Eighth graders determine the density using mass and volume. In this science lesson, 8th graders explain why some materials float or sink. They estimate the density of objects based on whether it floats or sinks in a liquid of known...
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Museum Adventure WebQuest
Students discover the background and properties of minerals. They examine fluorite and record data after testing it. They use the internet to help them discover information about minerals.
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Take a Dip: Sticky Water
Students complete lab activities to investigate the "sticky" properties of water, such as surface tension and capillary action, due to the polarity of the molecules.
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Funny Putty
Students study that colloids are mixtures which display the properties of more than one of these states.
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Mission Planning: Earth/Mars Comparisons
Students compare and contrast conditions on Mars to those on our own planet, specifically, their local or regional environments. The physical characteristics, the atmosphere, and other astronomical data is considered.
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Sound All Around Us
Students make predictions about how sound is formed. They view and discuss a video that explores sound formation and attempt to identify the origin of different sounds.
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A Matter of Fact
Students design their own Science experiment. For this science experiment lesson students create a hypothesis related to matter and test it. They displayed their data in a graph.
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Solids in Bottles
Students use funnels to put the five solid materials into clear bottles with caps. They observe how the particulate materials look, sound, and move when they shake and roll the bottle. Finally, students write "sound and touch" poetry.
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What Changes Occur When Water Freezes?
Learners investigate the changes that occur at the molecular level when a liquid becomes a solid. They freeze water in baby jars and observe the changes that occur in the process.
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Matter
Pupils complete a unit of activities to learn about states of matter and how to measure matter. In this matter lesson, students complete 8 lessons to learn about matter, its states, and how to measure matter.
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Ways We Use Water
Fourth graders write a persuasive paper after a demonstration about the properties of water and how they work. The lesson also uses a mind map to outline the paper.
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Physical Difference and Classification
Students use a microscope and observation skills to compare and contrast several physical properties and develop a classification system.
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The Same But Different
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made. Students discuss the different states of matter and their distinct physical...
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Landfills and the Potential for Groundwater Contamination
Students examine how a sanitary landfill is constructed, how it functions, and how waste and leachate affects the areas around the landfill. After a discussion about landfills and leachates, students construct a Sanitary Landfill Model...