Browse lesson plans

Amazing liquid conductor

Students will mix a variety of liquid solutions together to see if they will light a light bulb in a electrical circuit. They will be able to identify liquid electrical conductors and nonconductors. Also they will be able to identify that liquid solutions that contain a noticeable amount of acid or salt are good conductors of electricity. Each group of students will make a closed circuit to test their solutions.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 6 Science)

By Martha Martin.

Blast off the wet way

This lesson takes 6–10 days and includes math classes in which students will serve as observers and will calculate the height that the rocket reached and time elapsed. In the science class the students will design, build, launch, and do a detailed analysis of the acceleration, speed, and force produced by water-filled two-liter rockets.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science)

By Jack Curtis.

Classification of matter

Students are introduced to the concept of different kinds of matter. Students create models of different substances to learn to identify the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures. This lesson is developed so that teachers can use it with English as a Second Language students.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Development and Science)

By Anya Childs and Rhonda Garrett.

Convection currents

Students work together to show convection currents in the air. They construct a paper propeller that will be caused to spin as a result of the transfer of heat energy through the air.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

By Jillian Dube.

Density of common liquids

Each lab team will determine the density of water and one of the sample liquids. The class will then compile their information.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 and 8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Sansia Coble.

Does it float? Exploring density

Density is a property of matter that requires abstract understanding from your students. This lesson plan is a hands-on lab for exploring the concepts of mass, volume, density, and their relationship. This lab achieves several 8th grade science objectives and incorporates mathematical objectives as well. The lab can easily be used as an introductory lab for the year, thus covering not only the content objectives, but also procedures for completing labs throughout the course of the year.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Trish Loudermilt.

Exploring properties of matter with submersibles

This inquiry-based learning activity allows students to explore the relationships between mass, volume, density, and buoyancy as they manipulate various materials to construct a submersible “vehicle” for deep-sea research.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

By Miriam Sutton.

Forensic scientists: Identifying unknown substances

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.10

In this lesson, students use the physical properties of three mystery substances to determine their identities. Students discuss how these skills apply to careers in forensic science.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

g: A pendulum

Students will time the periods of pendulums to determine if length or mass affects them. Students can then use a pendulum to calculate the acceleration of gravity.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Bill Sowell.

Magic water and convection

This lesson will give students a demonstration of how heat affects water particles.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Science)

By JoAnne Pearson.

Making “Oobleck”

The students will discuss what they think will happen when mixing specific ingredients to create an unknown substance labeled “Oobleck.” Next, the students will work together in small groups of four or five to create this substance. Finally, the students will individually illustrate and write one to three sentences describing the results.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 English Language Arts and Science)

By Paige Hoffman.

Stay still

In this lesson students will learn about stability. They will design and build an earthquake-proof house that takes into account the forces acting upon it and the materials with which it will be built. The house will be tested in a “shake table.” Students will be assessed by the product itself as well as their analysis of the results of the test.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

By Erin Denniston.

What is static charge?

This lab exercise uses ordinary household materials to explore static charge.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Leigh Kiser.

Resources on the web

Free Online MIT Course Materials

At this site MIT provides a number of great resources for high school teachers and students. These include video demonstrations, AP level practice problems and exam questions, hands on learning examples, and links to further resources from MIT education outreach... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: MIT