Smithsonian Institution
Trait Tracker
Help mice beat the odds with an exciting activity about traits. Biologists discover the role of diet and other factors on animal traits by participating in a simulation activity. Teams collect and evaluate data to understand how certain...
Curated OER
Amazing Transpiration
Learners observe a leaf and discuss the way that water is released from a leaf through its stomata. For this water cycle instructional activity, students calculate how much water leaves produce from a whole tree. ...
Teach Engineering
Energy Efficiency
Using the resource is probably the most efficient way to learn about efficiency. The 18th installment of a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit has pupils investigate energy efficiency through discussions and associated activities....
Curated OER
Fractions, Decimals, and Gravity
Students discuss how weight is directly related to gravitational force on a planet. Students then choose Space Traveler as companion and compute how much their guide weighs on various planets, based on each planet's relative surface...
Curated OER
The Average Atom - Isotopes
Seventh graders, in groups, complete an Isotopes model and notice that atomic masses are decimal numbers. These masses are an average of all the isotopes of that element.
Curated OER
FREE STANDING STRUCTURE
Students demonstrate basic construction skills by building a free standing structure. They compute the cost of the structure.
Curated OER
FILLING IN THE GAPS - Acquiring and Analyzing Satellite and Ground-Based Data
Students monitor rainfall, compute daily averages, and compare their methods of computation to those used by actual researchers using satellite observations.
Curated OER
Wings and Othe Things
Learners work in groups that are engaged in different activities at different times. They watch the video "Madagascar" and collect data pertaining to the Fish Eagle's arm spam. They work together to perform mathematical computations...
Curated OER
Down by the Bay
Students listen to teacher read books about fish and participate in activities in order to explore how to identify bluefish. They count and graph the numbers of fish they find in simulated fishing activities.
NBC
Nutrition, Hydration, and Health
NFL football in science class? Yes, please! In an engaging and motivating three-day lesson, kids take a look at their own nutritional habits and needs compared to those of an NFL player, then experiment with the effects of hydration on...
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Curated OER
Questioning NASA
Space science and math collide in this inquiry that investigates launching times for antacid-tablet rockets! Upper elementary or middle school learners collect data as they launch these mini rockets. They apply concepts of place value...
Curated OER
Math in the Wetlands Field Trip
Get your class out in the environment for hands on math activities. In this wetlands lesson, learners transplant native plants, calculate how much soil is needed, and perform math activities based on this experience. They then make...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Growing Up With A Mission
New Horizons began its journey to Pluto in 2006. Ten years later, it continues its mission. In that time, scholars have surely grown, but how much more will they grow by the time New Horizons reaches its destination? Find out with an...
Cornell University
Metamorphosis
Looking for an insect unit that addresses multiple skill strategies? Young entomologists explore multiple life cycles of insects that go through metamorphosis. The brainteasers and mobile activity spark learner interest before guiding...
Curated OER
Recycling
Students relate recycling to waste reduction. In this science lesson, students talk about the environment and how recycling certain natural resources actually saves on energy. They also discuss what type of recycling causes...
Curated OER
Projectile Motion
Students observe projectile motion and calculate the speed of a baseball based on the time and distance traveled. They record the time, measure the distance, and draw the path of the ball's travel on a data table.
Curated OER
Meteorological Predictions
Students make a link between prediction and hypothesis in math and science. Based on data collected over one week, students evaluate the predictions of local weather forecasters, compare the predicted outcomes to the actual weather...
Curated OER
H2O in Us
Students discover through this activity that all organisms are composed of water. They find that 70 percent of their bodies are made up of water that is in thier cells and blood, and not free-flowing throughout their body.
Curated OER
Walk a Mile in Albatross Shoes
Students recognize the correlation between the trash they dispose of around their school and the environmental hazards that face wildlife, specifically the Laysan albatross. They determine three ways that they can help the albatross chicks.
Curated OER
Rockets on a Shoestring Budgut
Students work together to create rockets on a budget. They discover the limitations that real engineers face when designing and testing their products. They discuss their findings to complete the lesson plan.
University of California
University of Calilfornia: Significant Figures Ii
This site from the University of California provides a lengthy and intelligent discussion of sig figs, absolute and relative precision, accuracy, precision in calculations, rounding off, and the whole shooting match of how we report what...