Curated OER
The Scientists’ Way
Students summarize the steps of the scientific method. For this life science lesson, students explain the importance of varying only one variable at a time. They analyze possible flaws in their experiment.
Curated OER
Germinating Seeds on Gelatin
Students germinate seeds in unflavored gelatin to which liquid house plant food has been added. Students observe and record plant growth in this medium with a variety of variables in a number of experiments.
Curated OER
Lego Robotics: Measuring Speed
Learners build and program a LEGO robotic car as well as measure and graph its speed. They acquire familiarity with principles of construction, motion, design and problem solving. They compare a robot's speed over two different surfaces...
Curated OER
Filling the Glass (Water, Air, and Fractions)
Students predict which of two glasses is 1/2 full using visual estimation, height measurement, and liquid measurement methods. Mathematical equations to accurately solve the problem are determined and verified.
Curated OER
The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish. In this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment.
Curated OER
Race the Track! Jump the Gap
Students record data of using a track system with variables and how those variables affect a ball used in the track. In this track lesson plan, students design their own track in groups, test the ball's rates of speed, and record their...
Curated OER
Landslides!
Students discover soil and Earth movement by experimenting in class. In this Earth Science instructional activity, students utilize a stream table, soil, graduated cylinder and water to create a re-enactment of a landslide. ...
Curated OER
Cell Cycle Duration
Students examine the cell cycle and how its duration can vary. In this cells lesson students complete a worksheet and answer questions.
Curated OER
What Can We Lose? What Do We Lose as we Gain Force With A Lever?
Third graders view a demonstration of a teeter totter as a basis for assessing pre-knowledge of a lever. They create a KwL chart. Students work in small groups to conduct a variety of experiments. The first requires students to tie books...
Curated OER
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Sixth graders explore potential and kinetic energy. For this science lesson, 6th graders assume the role of a roller coaster engineer and design a roller coaster. Students use their knowledge of kinetic and potential energy to design a...
Curated OER
The Working of Scientists
Students define and explain the basic concepts of experimental design. In this scientific method lesson students complete a hands on activity, develop and present proposals to test their explanations.
Curated OER
Oat Seed Lab: A Model Scientific Experiment
Students investigate seed germination. In this lesson plan on scientific prediction, students conduct a scientific experiment using oat seeds.
Curated OER
Your Weight on Other Planets
Students explore their weight on other planets. In this science lesson, students view a presentation about the other planets and complete a worksheet in which they make predictions about their weight on the moon and other planets.
Curated OER
Which Tape is Stickiest?
Students conduct an experiment to determine which style of tape will stick the best. In this controlled experiment lesson, students predict which tape will stick best to a marble that rolls over it, then they conduct the experiment...
Curated OER
Stellar Magnitudes
Middle schoolers analyze the stellar magnitude scale. In this stellar magnitude lesson, students examine the stellar magnitude scale. Middle schoolers predict the Sun's magnitude from various planets.
Curated OER
Catapults
Students are introduced to the concept of a catapult and how it is used with the help of a media presentation. They use catapults in a large, open area and record the distances objects travel. Students use the scientific method while...
Curated OER
Predicting: Making a Hypothesis
Students analyze information from various sources to create a hypothesis about the origin of a family artifact. Students create a hypothesis about the origin of the item and write a paragraph explaining why they believe the hypothesis is...
Curated OER
Peat Pots
Students place a peat pot in water to observe and calculate the rate of capillarity in a model of a soil. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect, record, and represent data, use a data table to...
Curated OER
Help Wanted: A Lighting Engineer For Popular Rock Group
Students are assigned to groups, and determine each member's role in the group. They will design an experiment to determine a way to produce the three primary and five secondary colors. Students discuss color and mood. They listen to a...
Curated OER
Reliability Check of Power Grid
Students complete a simulation on power grid reliability check. In this physics lesson plan, students discuss the consequences of power grid failures. They complete a simulation worksheet.
Curated OER
Experimenting with Motion
Pupils study motion and how different variables can change the outcome. In this motion lesson students answer questions about their experiment and see what the different variables did.
Curated OER
Designing Experiments - Overview
Middle schoolers explore the concepts that enable them to design and conduct sound scientific experiments. They critique a faulty experiment and become familiar with some of the criteria of a good experiment. They conduct their own...
Captain Planet Foundation
Adopt-A-Plant
Note the way that plants change during the season by adopting a plant on your school campus. After your class chooses their plant, they research the plant's needs, how it differs from other plants, find ways to support their plant's...
American Chemical Society
Using Chemical Change to Identify an Unknown
If you discover an unknown powder, how do you determine if it is safe? Lesson uses four different tests to identify the properties of various powders that appear the same. Then scholars get an unknown powder and have to determine which...