Curated OER
Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
Students observe demonstrations of exothermic and endothermic reactions and determine the changes that take place in a chemical reaction. Students observe four demonstrations showing entropy, attraction of molecules due to polarity,...
Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They test...
Urbana School District
Sound
Beautiful music doesn't just write itself, but if you ever feel bad about procrastinating, remember that Mozart wrote the overture to Don Giovanni the morning it premiered. Introduce young scientists to the elements of sound including...
Sunlight Cal-Tech
Chromatography of Plant Pigments
Through a hands-on activity, an acetone-spinach solution is pre-made and learners use this solution to separate the pigments found in spinach using chromatography. The comprehensive resource includes an analysis and conclusion questions.
NOAA
The Methane Circus
Step right up! An engaging research-centered lesson, the third in a series of six, has young archaeologists study the amazing animals of the Cambrian explosion. Working in groups, they profile a breathtaking and odd creature and learn...
Curated OER
The Causes of Differences in Density
Young scholars explore the causes of differences in density. Students choose objects, measure the mass and volume, and calculate the density of each. They perform additional density experiments to model atoms and their correspondence...
Curated OER
What is Soap?
Students investigate soap, how it is made and its structure. In this soap lesson, students observe a demonstration of soap being made. Students observe the properties of soap and how soap performs in "real-life" situations like cutting...
Curated OER
Chemistry of Burning
Young scholars look into the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this chemistry lesson, students look at the hydrocarbon molecule through a model and see what happens when energy is released. They watch as the water vapor...
Curated OER
Diffusion Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane
Students investigate how water passes through cell membranes. In this biology instructional activity, students differentiate osmosis and diffusion. They illustrate the movement of water in both processes.
Curated OER
Balancing Chemical Equations
Ninth graders explain how atoms and molecules form different substances during chemical reactions and how these processes require losing, gaining or sharing electrons. They correctly write chemical formulas and show how a balanced...
Curated OER
Kernel Power" Ethanol Fuel from Corn
Learners study why corn is a biodegradable, renewable resource. In this ethanol lesson students build models and observe a chemical reaction.
Curated OER
The Nature Of Dissolving Processes
Students examine the rule of "like dissolves like." They define and describe solutions and solubility models on molecular liquids, ionic solids, and molecular solids.
Curated OER
Causal Patterns in Density Phenomena
Students investigate the relationship between volume and mass in different liquids such as vegetable oil, rubbing alcohol and water. They measure the mass of several different volumes of each liquid and then graph the results as well as...
Curated OER
Earth's Atmosphere and Temperature
Learners explore the layers of earth's atmosphere and conduct an experiment to identify carbon dioxide. They construct models using styrofoam to represent molecules in the atmosphere's layers. To discover how sunlight efffects...
Curated OER
Heat And Heat Transfer
Students role play molecules in a container as the container is heated to develop a definition of heat and temperature. They also observe demonstrations of conduction, convection, radiation, and phase transfer. Using these observations...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Is Dilution the Solution?
Systematically diluting a full-strength sample of food coloring is meant to help earth scientists understand concentration in parts per million. While they will enjoy the lab exercise, it might be a challenge to help them relate it to...
Curated OER
The Air Up There!
High schoolers create a model of a column of air and discover one of the reasons why low and high pressure systems exist and why low pressure is often associated with bad weather.
Curated OER
Porosity
Students investigate the concept of an aquifer and use a 2 liter bottle and other materials to conduct a simple lab experiment or demonstration. They calculate the volume of water that can be stored in the aquifer. The lab is used to...
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen
Students discuss the relationships between dissolved oxygen in a stream, stream temperature, organic waste loads, and stream conditions by studying and using a model of dissolved oxygen in the stream.
Bekshire Museum
Cloudy Skies: The Art of Classification
Such a great resource and perfect for learners in Kindergarten through third grade. The class will discuss cloud types and formation, and then they'll get outside and draw as they observe the clouds they see. They'll need to take note of...
NOAA
Methane Hydrates – What's the Big Deal?
Have you ever tried to light ice on fire? With methane hydrate, you can do exactly that. The ice forms with methane inside so it looks like ice, but is able to burn. The lesson uses group research and a hands-on activity to help scholars...
Curated OER
Chapter 12 Review, Section 1: Solutions
Here is a different approach to solutions: a worksheet that has chemistry learners use words to describe them! This is an outstanding exercise that will stretch learners to show what they know. They answer questions comparing solutions,...
Curated OER
Surface Area of a Leaf (Grades 7-9)
In this math and science worksheet, students read about the process of photosynthesis and plant growth. They determine how a plant's ability to create food is dependent on the surface area of its leaves using geometric calculations. They...
K-State Research and Extensions
Crystal Shapes
Of quartz I love geology! The chapter offers five activities at three different levels. It features hands-on activities that cover crystal shapes, cleavage and fracture, hardness scale, specific gravity, and mineral identification....