Curated OER
Magnet Circus
Students explore the properties of magnets by designing a device that can move as far as possible using only magnets to move it, and design a machine that will stay in motion for the greatest period of time.
Curated OER
Free Up the Ketchup!
Learners, in teams, use given materials and their knowledge of Newton's First Law to create a device that will remove a sticky ping pong ball from a 16-oz. cup (which represents ketchup stuck in a bottle.)
Teach Engineering
What is GIS?
Is GIS the real manifestation of Harry Potter's Marauders Map? Introduce your class to the history of geographic information systems (GIS), the technology that allows for easy use of spatial information, with a resource that teaches...
US Institute of Peace
Perspectives on Peace
Is peace simply the absence of war, or is there more to the story? Young social scientists define peace in the second installment of a 15-part series. Groups work together to explore cultural concepts of peace and the peacemaking process...
US Institute of Peace
Perspectives on Peace
Much like a garden, once the seeds of peace are planted, they need to be tended! How can humankind make and keep peace? The second installment in a series of 15 peacebuilding activities focuses on different perceptions of peace. The...
Kenan Fellows
What Element Would You Be?
Primo Levi wrote a collection of short stories comparing his life from Italy to Auschwitz to elements in the periodic table. Pupils read an excerpt from his book and research the characteristics of various elements. Then, they make a...
Curated OER
World-Water Hero
Pupils explore why clean water is essential. For this environmental lesson, students identify the "powers" we need to improve the quality of water. Pupils share their descriptions of world-water superheroes.
Curated OER
Electrostatics
Students examine ways positive and negative charges are attracted and repelled by watching teacher demonstrations, and complete activity sheet related to classroom demonstration activities to prove proficiency of knowledge of...
Curated OER
Rover Landing Design Challenge
Students examine the concepts of forces and motion. They work together to design protective devices for their egg rovers as they are dropped from a specific height. They record their observations and discuss.
Curated OER
Soccer - Lesson 11 - Mini-games
Start putting all the skills learned so far in this soccer unit together. Play mini-games, which means, just two or three players on a team. This way the players can practice all their skills and not be standing around waiting for the...
Curated OER
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
Middle schoolers explain what plagiarism is, why it is a problem, and how to avoid it. They articulate why it is unacceptable in a research document, and they show how to avoid it by using proper citation tools. They demonstrate correct...
Curated OER
Puttin' It All Together
Students explain the concepts of kinetic and potential energy and how it can change forms. For this energy, motion, and frictional forces lesson students participate in a hands on activity that includes calculating energy.
Curated OER
Dance Showing Science Contexts of Movement: States of Matter
Fifth graders dance in different ways to show movement of states of matter. In this matter lesson plan, 5th graders make connected shapes with a partner, make flowing movements, travel rapidly, and more.
Curated OER
Place Value Bingo
Students identify the place value of numbers from 1-10,000. In this place value instructional activity, students play a bingo game with place value. Students answer questions about place value on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Electrical Safety
Students create a list of things that they do with electrical power. They then are shown a PowerPoint on "Basic Electrical Safety." Students evaluate electrical equipment, cords and situations for serviceability and safety problems. They...
Curated OER
Pulleys
Students determine how to tell the difference between a simple system and a complex pulley system. Using pulleys, students build simple pulley systems to demonstrate the mechanical advantages of pulleys.
Curated OER
3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)
Students examine the effects of packaging decisions and the engineering advancements in packaging materials and waste management. They observe biodegradation in a model landfill.
Curated OER
Weather Lessons: Explore the Possibilities
Looking to the sky isn't just for day dreamers.The weather is a fascinating way to explore science and history.
Curated OER
Games and Activities to Teach Molecular Genetics
Students demonstrate a working knowledge of cell interactions such as DNA replication, protein synthesis (transcription and translation), through active participation in a cooperative group.
Curated OER
The Rock Family
Learners research the characteristics of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using the Internet. They evaluate websites for use before they organize the research information into a table. They use software to complete a concept map.
Curated OER
What a Drag
Learners learn examples of friction and drag, and suggest ways to reduce the impact of these forces. The equation that governs common frictional forces is introduced, and during a hands-on activity, students experimentally measure a...
Curated OER
Basic Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
In this electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction activity, students answer 12 questions about electricity, about the magnetic fields in given diagrams, about the right-hand rule and about electric current and voltage in magnetic...
Curated OER
Forest Succession
Students research environmental change and why forests cannot stay the same for long. In this environmental growth instructional activity, students discuss the life cycle of a tree and examine tree cookies to discover the age of...
Curated OER
Applied Science -Physics (2B) Pre Lab
Second graders look at different types of energy. For this energy lesson, 2nd graders define energy and the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They see examples with falling books and a slinky.