Curated OER
What are Quarters Made of?
Students study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins,
especially the quarter. They l research why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to
change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with zinc. In addition, they...
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"The Collaborative Group Information Collection, Interpretation and Dissemination Technique"
Students answer the question "How are the concepts and processes I examine in Biology relevant to my other classes, to my life, and to my community?" This assignment has students actively involved in the intellectual work of location,...
Curated OER
What Does a Quarter Weigh?
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.
Curated OER
Heroes and Heroines in Science: Dispelling the Stereotype
Students describe and illustrate a stereotypical scientist. They work in cooperative groups to research and produce a portfolio of work honoring a randomly chosen nontraditional scientist. Students create a presentation about their...
Curated OER
Using Density to Identify Wood Types
Students identify different woods based on their density. In this density lesson plan, students use a triple beam balance to find the mass and a metric ruler for the volume. They look through various wood blocks and identify what type of...
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Protecting Habitats and Species
Learners recognize that scientists continuously gather and interpret data to understand and predict relationships among natural phenomena. They research various volcanoes and plot the volcano locations on a world map.
Curated OER
Lab Safety
In this lab safety worksheet, students use an illustration of students in a lab classroom to complete 10 short answer questions about what they see as safe and unsafe lab procedures.
Curated OER
Emulsions
Students identify the characteristics and composition of emulsions. In this chemistry lesson, students classify household products according to emulsion type. They explain how to make the best emulsion.
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Can You Do It?
Middle schoolers create a simple machine to help with the design of the traditional can opener. In this simple machines lesson plan, students analyze the can opener, and use the design process to solve problems.
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Interpreting Data and Building Hypothesis
Students define the term species, and graph species data together with previously collected data at the National Zoo. They interpret graphed data and recognize patterns in the streamside quadrant versus hillside quadrant. Students use...
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Should Populations in an Ecosystem be Restricted?
Fourth graders experiment to determine how overpopulation effects ecosystems specifically plants. In this ecosystem instructional activity, 4th graders conduct an ecosystems experiment after listening to Claire Daniel's, Ecosystems. They...
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Identifying Variables
In this variables instructional activity, learners are given seven experiments that they read and identify the independent variable, dependent variable, control group and standardizing variable.
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Horticulture and Gardening
In this colorful packet, students engage in a variety of activities involving plants and seeds. After answering the 50 questions in the packet, learners can go on to delve into their own projects.
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Fingerprinting
Learners list and describe the three types of fingerprint patterns. They list and describe three layers of fingerprints that can be made. They explain why we leave fingerprints.
Curated OER
Medical Mysteries
Use the theme of medical mystery to engage students in analyzing the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health. They will explore problem solving and mystery diseases as they practice and improve public...
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Design an Instrument
Learners design an instrument. For this sound, vibration and pitch lesson, students learn about the characteristics of sound, vibration and pitch. Learners design a guitar using the assembled craft materials and demonstrate how...
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Lab Safety
Teaching the importance of safety in the science laboratory is a necessary part of the curriculum.
Curated OER
With Liberty & Top Soil for All
Middle schoolers compare the basic needs of plants to the basic needs of democracy. In this democracy comparison lesson, students complete a worksheet on what happens to a plant that's not nourished. Middle schoolers draw a correlation...
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Gallery Walk Questions on Weathering and Mass Wasting
A set of questions on weathering and erosion are found in this resource. Some of them can be used as discussion topics or lecture guides. There are also suggested activities such as the examination of topographic quadrangles and the...
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DNA Fingerprinting
Students discuss methods used by forensic scientists and the basics of DNA and how it can be used to identify an individual after reading an article from The New York Times.
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Albedo Transect Research (Field Trip Day 1)
Students explore how Albedo research is designed and conducted by interviewing the researchers at one of their research sites. They relate Albedo and it's relationship to the Arctic environment as well as assess how a small change in a...
Curated OER
Watershed Awareness
Students investigate the relationship between upstream influences in their watershed and the watershed's estuary. They apply the scientific process to test a hypothesis while examining the impact of upland activities on estuaries.
Curated OER
How Can You Study Things You Can’t See Like: Atoms?
Students simulate how scientists studied things they can't see like atoms. In this chemistry lesson, students predict what is inside the numbered obsertainers. They design a way to investigate what's inside without opening it.