Name |
Description |
Exploring Magnets: | In this lesson, students observe and record their observations of magnets attracting and repelling each other and other objects.. |
Exploring Water: | In this lesson, students record their observations of water in all of its phases. |
Introduction To The Nature Journal: | In the lessons here, students exercise the observation skills that are essential to writing, visual art, and science. First, they try to use evocative language in describing pictures of birds from the Smithsonian's National Zoo. They go on to record observations and to make hypotheses as they follow the behavior of animals on the National Zoo's live webcams. They can watch the giant pandas, the tigers, the cheetahs, the gorillas, or any of a dozen other species. |
Observing a Physical Change: | In this lesson, students are shown the difference between physical and chemical changes by dissolving and crushing seltzer tablets. Students learn to recognize that physical changes involved changes in size, shape, or texture, while chemical changes involve the formation of a new substance. |
Physical Properties of Matter: | Students will participate in a hands-on lab activity in which they will measure and compare apples based on many of their physical properties. |
The Lunar Cycle: | In this lesson, students learn about the Moon's changing appearance and
its pattern of movement. Through class discussion, activities, and
multimedia resources, students explore the phases of the Moon and are
introduced to the concept of orbital motion. The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, is easily observed with the
naked eye. Over the course of one month, students observe and investigate its full range
of appearances and its pattern of movement in the sky. Students then model the sun, earth and moon system in the classroom. |
Name |
Description |
Measuring Mass: | In this unit, students will first do research and study the Law of Conservation of Mass and learn how to form a hypothesis. After they learn how to form a hypothesis, they will use balance beams to measure clay and crayons. |
Plants Parts and Life Cycles: | In this unit, students learn about various plants, their parts, their life cycles, and the importance of bees in plant reproduction. |
Rocks and Minerals: | In this unit, students learn the physical properties of rocks and how they are formed. |
Weathering and Erosion: | In this unit, students learn about weathering and erosion (and different types of weathering and erosion) through different models and activities. An engineering design competition asks students to synthesize knowledge about erosion to create an erosion-blocking process/product for the Atlantic Coast. |