Learners observe a demonstration of the the three forms of matter - air, water, and solids - in plastic bags. After discussing the properties, they transfer them to a Venn diagram. Finally, students identify five items in the classroom...

Students study the elements of color in paint and light. For this color science lesson, students discuss colors in their world, white light, and rainbows. Students mix three primary paint colors to make various secondary colors. Students...

Students visit and explore a Hands On Science Center (HOSC). They participate in a variety of self-guided table exercises and observe as scientists demonstrate various scientific principles.

Students explain that photosynthesis is a process that plants use to convert light energy into glucose. They summarize photosynthesis as a chemical process in which the plant uses carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen.

Learners predict the shape of an unknown object by bouncing a ball on it. In this physics lesson, students relate this activity to how dolphins use echo-location to navigate. They analyze their lab result and discuss findings.

Students keep a detailed data collection log of the different types of monarch behavior. They track the weather conditions daily and link it to the migration of the monarchs. They summarize their data using either a graph or a computer...

Young scholars practice simple Japanese expressions. They explore the information available from artifacts. Groups of students attempt to figure out other groups culture by examining a series of artifacts in a paper bag.

Students read The Lorax and discuss how populations change the environment. Using given photos, students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the Portland of yesterday to present day Portland. They write a comparison paper and...

Fifth graders write as many statements as possible that could be the answers to a variety of questions. They can follow the topic of study or topics of personal choice.

Third graders experiment with heat through investigations. They rub objects together and compare the relative differences in the amount of heat given off. They write in their journals about the results they find.

Students compare and contrast the orbits of Earth and Mars, locate the planet Mars, and diagram its retrograde motion.

Students write a story telling the news to someone who has not been around for three years.

Students measure the height of items using an astrolabe.  In this latitude lesson plan students construct a sextant and determine height and latitude with it. 

Students study the historical figures and symbols of U.S. patriotism depicted on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter coins. They create a balance scale from common materials to measure the approximate weight of a quarter.

Students explore how different colors are seen through the cone cells in our eyes.  For this light lesson students complete a lab activity with light and record their observations.

Third graders examine simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, 3rd graders observe simple machines at work in a video, then experiment with creating their own simple machines to move objects.  

Students are introduced to safety rules for observing the Sun, how the distance of the Sun is measured using Kepler's Laws and identify the visible layers of the Sun. They discuss solar eclipses and view images of eclipses using the...

Young scholars shake a box containing Plaster of Paris "rocks", gravel, and sand, to measure the effects of erosion. They work individually during this exercise. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations,...

Students set up a stream table, observe erosion, and record data on where various sizes of sediments settle. They draw conclusions as to what kind of sedimentary rock form in what locations.

Students make careful observations and record their observations. They communicate their findings with their peers and analyze data collected about a site. They determine what it means to be a looter, and feel the direct effects of...

Second graders research the design of and purpose of magnets. They investigate a group of objects to discover which things are attracted to magnets. Observe the effect that lodestone has on iron fillings. Summarize observations.

In this weather instructional activity, learners conduct an experiment where they record the weather observations for a week. Then they determine the air pressure using an aneroid barometer and estimate the amount of sky covered by...

Students observe different ways that objects spin. For this physics lesson, students observe several objects spinning and use the new vocabulary words "rotate" and "revolve" to describe how the objects spin. The lesson culminates in a...

Students examine and modify a swinging apparatus. They describe the motion of an object by its position, direction of motion, and speed. Students measure motion using a graph.