Beacon Lesson Plan Library

   Lesson Plans - Learner Level 3: Science

• 3rd Rock from the Sun’s Baby Rock (Authored by Nicole Micheau.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students have a chance to actively see each phase of the moon and make connections to what they see in the sky when you show how the moon goes through each of the phases.

• A Field Guide for Student Identification (Authored by Kathryn Clark.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Dr. M.N. Stair needs help identifying monsters he has collected in the field! Students have fun learning how to use and create a dichotomous guide by identifying cartoon monsters. Students then apply what they have learned to create a dichotomous guide to identify fellow students.

• A Mysterious Roll-Back Can (Authored by Louise Kent.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Amaze students with a can that rolls away a few feet, mysteriously stops, hesitates, and then rolls back to where it started. Then introduce Newton and his Second Law.

• Animals in Research - Right or Wrong? (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students research and discuss a sensitive or controversial issue and attempt to make a decision based on group findings.

• Ask the Antlion (Authored by Jack Petersen.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students learn about basic biological principles through using the scientific processes of observation and recording as they examine live insects (antlions).

• Atom and Eve (Authored by Rebecca Renfro.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The students will use a concept map to define and share their information about the Hydrogen atom. They will construct a model of a Hydrogen atom using simple, low-cost materials.

• Balanced Students (Authored by Albert Baggott.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use a hands-on activity to investigate the relationships between weights and the distance of the weights from the fulcrum in a balanced 1st class lever.

• Boom and Fizz (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Boom and Fizz is a thrilling discovery of physical and chemical changes. It combines an engaging teacher demonstration with a hands-on student lab experience.

• Brain Game (Authored by Katherine Leftwich.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This is a fun lesson that challenges the student’s ability to respond to stimuli that are mixed word/color messages. (Responses to changes in the environment/stimuli)

• Can You Calculate the Speed of Your Pet? (Authored by Edward Williams.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What is the fastest wind up toy pet? In this lesson students will explore how to calculate the speed of wind up toy pets, average the speeds and identify the correct units of measure of speed.

• Cell Factory (Authored by Emily Durney.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This activity is a fun way for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the basic structures of cells and the essential functions in cells. Students build a model of a factory where each factory part is compared to a cell part via the function.

• Cell Types (Authored by J.P. Hamilton.)

Subject(s): Applied Technology, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students create cartoon characters which compare and contrast two types of cells: nerve and muscle. Cartoon characters show how these two cells are similar, how they are different, and the relationship between the two cell types. Cartoons are presented in the form of a slide show presentation. (NETS for Students 3.2)

• Cellular Cellebrities (Authored by Susan Goodman.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students work in cooperative groups to learn the morphology and function of organelles within plant and animal cells.

• Changes All Around Us (Authored by Sherri Barber.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: After students observe various physical and chemical changes demonstrated in class, they work in groups to create a collage of pictures to illustrate how changes occur all around us.

• Changes in Matter (Authored by Carson Ealy, Jr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is developed to enhance student understanding of physical and chemical changes. It will also review knowledge of the states of matter.

• Changes in the Copper Penny (Authored by Patricia Davison.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This is a unique and fun way to introduce the difference between a physical change in a substance and a chemical change. The student studies the volume, density, altering shape, and chemistry of a copper penny.

• Class-I-fy (Authored by Timothy Mark Dillehay.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students classify pre-selected art class items to see how classification methods are created and used. This activity gives students a greater understanding of why and how classification methods are used in science. The scientific method of categorizing is revealed in this lesson.

• Constructing a Cell (Authored by Carl Rogers.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students construct a model of a plant or animal cell, using the materials provided to represent each of the different organelles within the cell.

• Construction and Use of an Accelerometer (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What is acceleration? The students investigate the concept of acceleration by building and using an accelerometer.

• Create Your Own Kaleidoscopes (Authored by Louise Kent.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students research Sir David Brewster and his ideas on light. They put into practice one of his ideas by creating an inexpensive kaleidoscope using film canisters, microscope slides and beads, that teaches properties of optics.

• Creating My Personal Animal ABC Book. (Authored by Louise Kent.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students create an Animal ABC book to present to a young child. Along the way they research specific information about animals.

• Creatures From the Black Lagoon (Authored by Joe Brock.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students are taken to an aquatic area such as a small beach zone, bayou, drainage ditch or wetland near the school in an open inquiry lesson to evoke questions from the students regarding their observations. They learn how to use scientific processes in designing experiements that answer the raised questions.

• Dare to be [Punnett] Square (Authored by Dale Peterson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson familiarizes the students with Punnett squares, specifically: purpose, application and interpretation. Key terms from previous lessons (included below) are reviewed/reinforced before data is applied to a Punnett square and interpreted.

• Decoding DNA (Authored by Suzan Smith.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This is the sixth and final lesson plan in the unit, Where We Come From and is an extension activity that reflects the standards for Marion County Schools in Florida for eighth grade. Students complete their KWL charts from the first lesson of the unit as a review for the summative. Then they decode a secret message using the four basic components of DNA, adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine.

• Density Destiny (Authored by Julie Sear.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Which is more dense, a block of wood or a glass marble? Students will answer this question as they measure and investigate the densities of several objects.

• Density Discoveries (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Density Discoveries is a hands-on student learning opportunity for students to find the mass, volume, and density of solid matter.

• Density of a Gas (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Gas, like all matter, has mass and volume, therefore, it has a density. Students will investigate the mass, volume, and density of a gas by producing it in a chemical reaction.

• Dirty Worms (Authored by April Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will learn the actions of earthworms and their effect on soil. The lesson will culminate with an earthworm dissection lab activity.

• Domino Effect (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students investigate a change from potential energy to kinetic energy and discuss the concept of waves carrying energy.

• Edible Cells (Authored by Lauren Farinas.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will construct edible models of a plant cell and an animal cell and be able to state the functions of the organelles.

• Efficiency Means Getting More for Less (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Here is a simple experiment. It costs little, the materials will last for 100 years, and it is safe. It is a study of efficiency in nature. Water is measured and predictions are made.

• EggCELLent Diffusion (Authored by Sherri Barber.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students observe the effects of diffusion on eggs by observing the change in the egg's size and the amount of liquid substance that remains.

• Electromagnetic Spectrum (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students investigate the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum.

• Endangered Species (Authored by Teresa Lowery.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will be able to identify endangered species, identify physical & behavioral characteristics, work in a group for research and presentation, and create a PowerPoint presentation with their findings.

• Endothermic or Exothermic – That Is the Question. (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What happens to the heat energy during a chemical reaction? Students will become familiar with an endothermic reaction by testing a chemical reaction.

• Evaporation Marathon (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Runners take your mark! This lesson involves a student experiment to see which container evaporates water the quickest. The lesson invites students to explore independent and dependent variables as part of the experimentation process.

• Fascinating Factors (Authored by Kathy Rigling.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This activity is a fun and engaging way to introduce biotic and abiotic factors by the use of nature observation , peer discussion and the production of a collage.

• Filling Up Florida (Authored by Shari Rodgers.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students study factors controlling Florida's population growth and related environmental impacts. Students research natural community types and construct maps (including a large-sized map of Florida) to be used for role play/simulation activity.

• Forces and Balloons (Authored by Paul Scime.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use balloons to investigate and discuss the forces of compression, tension and torque on common birthday balloons.

• Formation of Fossil Fuels (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Science, Visual Arts (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students investigate the process of fossil fuel formation.

• Go Jump In The Lake! (Authored by Marla Blair.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this real-life science activity, students test local lake waters to determine overall health of the lakes. Students then hypothesize possible human impact on the indicators they are testing in the waters and share these inferences in a scientific report.

• Hectic Hurricanes! (Authored by Peggy Cook.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This activity is a great way to introduce hurricanes into your curriculum. Students will understand the anatomy of a hurricane, the change in energy that occurs during a hurricane and how to track a hurricane.

• Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Authored by Sallie Everett.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is to help students learn the differences between chemical and physical weathering and learn the effects of climate on the weathering process.

• Hey You! Want to Become a Scientist? (Authored by Cheryl Duty.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students prepare and give oral presentations about assigned scientists and the accomplishments of the scientists after completing research and written reports on their subjects. To make this interesting and fun for the students and teacher, each student can be instructed to create and wear a costume to "become" their designated scientist.

• Household Products - Past to Future (Authored by Judy Marburger.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will research and explore the development of household inventions.

• How Dense Are You? (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: How did Archimedes find the gold crown? Students relate how density is a value that describes the material of which the object is made and is not influenced by the object's shape or size in any way.

• How Do You Do? (Authored by Annemarie Hayes.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students research organisms living in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and identify their relationships.

• How Fast Is that Rocket? (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson will allow the students to calculate the speed of a falling object using measurements from a falling rocket.

• How Many Bears in the Forest? (Authored by Amelia McCurdy.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students model the tag and recapture of bears and use proportions to estimate the population of the bears in their forest. This is a statistical sampling method used by scientists and naturalist to determine population numbers.

• How Much Do You Really Weigh? (Authored by Margaret Bogan PhD.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use a computer to analyze how their weights are affected if the students are placed on various planetary bodies. The students will record their findings on a data sheet.

• How Unique Are You? (Authored by Suzan Smith.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this second lesson of the unit, Where We Come From, the students use traits that they each possess to gain further understanding of dominant and recessive traits. In groups, they survey the class for various dominant and recessive physical trait characteristics. Groups create bar/circle graphs, compile class data into a table, calculate percentages, and recognize characteristics of dominant and recessive traits.

• Human Impact on the Everglades Environment (Authored by Cheryl Darbyshire.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science, Social Studies (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students research changes the Army Corps made in Everglades, focus on the human impact on the environment, design graphic organizers, summary statements, develop a Florida map of the Everglades region and give a presentation about what they learned.

• Hurricanes … Are They Coming to Your Neighborhood? (Authored by Dale Peterson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Hurricane season (June-October) may result in large storms on the Gulf Coast. Students learn how weather systems influence hurricanes and tropical storms. This lesson enables students to predict landfall of hurricanes and tropical storms.

• I Need Room to Breathe (Authored by Joe Brock.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use a ph indicator in a structured inquiry lesson to learn how exercise affects carbon dioxide levels in exhaled air.

• Improving the Quality of Life (Authored by Carson Ealy, Jr..)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson focuses on contributions made by individuals of diverse backgrounds in medicine, science and technology.

• Inquiring Minds Want to Know (Middle School Science) (Authored by Melinda Dukes.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Inquiring minds participate in an inquiry-based lesson plan which has them construct an experiment in a scientifically valid way that will shed light on the controversy of nature vs nurture. This is lesson three of the unit, Twin Traits.

• Insulators, Conductors, and Energy Transfer (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students conduct experiments to determine what types of material make good insulators.

• Invertebrates, No Backbone, No Problem (Authored by Cheryl Darbyshire.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students study characteristics of invertebrates, observe a micro-habitat for two weeks, research an invertebrate, create a profile poster, and present a report.

• Is It Kinetic or Potential ? (Authored by Carson Ealy, Jr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is an introduction to energy. It allows students to explore real life activities that demonstrate kinetic and potential energy.

• Is It Slimy? Does It Have Fur? Is It Really a Bird? (Authored by Linda Weber.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this lesson students identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in cooperative learning groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural characteristics. Students individually complete the lesson by writing in their journals.

• It Won't Budge: Balloon (Authored by summer zephyr.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Through use of a "silent teacher" demonstration, students use the scientific method to discover the principle behind the balloon not being inflated.

• Let's Get Moving (Authored by Rebecca Weston.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is an interdisciplinary unit with technology, physical education, and science activities relating to motion,velocity, and momentum and sports related activities.

• Let's Measure the Speed of Sound (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This is an outside the classroom experiment. The students experience in concrete terms an investigation of the speed of sound by measuring it. It blends scientific research with math skills and teaches sound scientific investigative techniques.

• Let's Weigh Air (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is a class experiment to measure the weight of air by measuring the weight of the mass it displaces. It incorporates simple equipment and procedures into a highly convincing demonstration of the weight and mass of air.

• Magnetism in Action (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The students recognize that magnetic force can act through a distance.

• Marshmallow Babies (Authored by Suzan Smith.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this third lesson of the unit, Where We Come From, students pair up “chromosomes” and interpret the genotypes and phenotypes. Then, they use those genetic traits to create their own "Marshmallow Babies!" This is a modified version of an activity published by Patti Sorderberg in [The Science Teacher], November 1992, pp 28-31.

• Mass, Volume and Density (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students compare and contrast mass, volume, and density of various objects.

• Mechanically Inclined (Authored by Albert Baggott.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use hands-on or demonstration activity to investigate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane.

• Mind Games (Authored by Geri Gautney.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The teacher receives a letter from the CEO of Nasbro, Inc. Nasbro is conducting a nation-wide search for new game ideas. Teams of students will develop and produce a game prototype that could be mass produced and sold to every adolescent in the world.

• Mobius Strips (Authored by Darlene Wolfe.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The Mobius strip often upsets the students’ expectation of the normal order of things. To practice the critical thinking and higher order thinking skills necessary to science inquiry, students construct and cut a Mobius strip in half, lengthwise twice. Logically, a piece of paper is two sided, however, the Mobius strip is defined as one-sided, “proven” by the line on only one side and the results of the first lengthwise cut.

• Mr./Ms.Scientist, This Is Your Life (Authored by Michelle Gowan.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science, Social Studies (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students create a timeline of ten events in chronological order about a scientist to include his/her accomplishments. Students practice by completing a personal timeline in which they follow verbal instructions.

• My World Is Upside Down (Authored by John Lien.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students make a pinhole viewer to demonstrate that even though light travels in oscillating waves through space, the wave lengths are so small that light behaves as traveling in a straight line.

• Nature vs. Nurture (Authored by Melinda Dukes.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Is nature or nurture more important? Students begin the exploration of this concept in this first lesson of the unit, Twin Traits.

• Neb -u- la (Authored by Carson Ealy, Jr..)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson will allow students to conduct research on the life cycle of stars using the Internet.

• Newton in Motion! (Authored by Angelic Chappell.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This activity is an exciting way to introduce Newton's First Law of Motion. The student will be able to verbally explain and physically demonstrate examples of Newton's First Law. The students will explore real life consequences of Newton's First Law.

• Oh Where, Oh Where, Can My Industry Be? (Authored by Sue Hutchins.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Youth scientists conduct observational studies of three ecosystems. Using the Web World Wonders site cameras, they gather data to justify the establishment of an industrialized park at one site over the others.

• Opposites Attract (Middle School) (Authored by Jana Lantz.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students investigate the properties of magnets and static electricity through a series of lab activities, demonstrating the behaviors of charged particles as they relate to the atom.

• Pair 'Em Up! (Authored by Suzan Smith.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In the fourth lesson plan of the unit, Where We Come From, students learn how to use and verify the validity of Punnett squares by using a Weblink for instruction. They will also simulate a real-world situation by drawing “chromosomes” from a paper bag. Data will be tracked, students will calculate percentages, and cross check their predictions and results by using a Punnett square.

• Peanut Mining (Authored by Terrie Lyons.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this hands-on activity, students come to understand the implications of using a nonrenewable resource, as well as some of the problems associated with mining an ore.

• Pendulum Power (Authored by Tracy Smith.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use a pendulum to discuss the Law of Conservation of Energy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

• Physical Difference and Classification (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The students compare and contrast several physical properties and develop a classification system using observation skills and a microscope.

• Physical or Chemical? That is the Question (Authored by Ann Kennedy.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use the five Web World Wonders camera sites to locate and identify examples of physical and chemical changes.

• Physical/Chemical Properties of a Burning Candle (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What happens to the physical and chemical properties of a candle before and after it is lit? Students investigate these properties by conducting the Burning Candle activity.

• Probing Our Solar System (Authored by Susan Sherrow.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson uses structured, small group activities and individual work incorporating student research on space satellites and probes and international connections. Student groups construct information disks, timelines, and written reports.

• Projectile Motion (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students observe projectile motion and calculate the speed of a projectile.

• Properties of Waves (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students observe and investigate wave properties.

• Pulley Power (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson is a manipulative experiment in the mechanical advantage of simple machines and graphically demonstrates the change in magnitude of applied force when using simple machines. Great for ESL to discover the ratio formula for pulleys.

• Pushy Kids in Physics (Authored by Gencie White.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This is an interesting way to introduce balanced forces, unbalanced forces, and resulting net forces. Students actively demonstrate these concepts and then study and complete the activity with actual calculations of these forces.

• Red, Green, and Blue Mystery Liquids! Hypothesis or an Inference? (Authored by ELIZABETH BAILEY.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students are actively involved in the scientific method and inquiry as they form quick hypotheses based upon a teacher set of mystery liquids. Students will determine they need to make additional observations of the liquids to test their initial hypotheses and form inferences. Students may extend the lesson and inquiry processes as they design their own density experiment using liquids they decide upon and bring from home.

• Riding the Wave (Authored by Sean Kavanaugh.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will be introduced to waves through hands-on demonstrations and a concept map scavenger hunt. Students will then perform fun activities to help identify the properties of waves (crest, trough, amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and wave speed).

• Rock Concert (Authored by Kathy Lewis.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students create a product (song, skit, poem, etc.) that describes the three major types of rocks and how they are formed. Then, they present their product during a class "rock concert".

• Rockin' and Rollin' (Authored by Kathy Lewis.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students create a product (song, skit, poem, etc.) that describes the three major types of rocks and how they are formed. They present their products during a class -rock concert.-

• Roll With The Punches: Depression Era Machinery (Authored by Paula Weaver.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Groups construct models of simple and complicated machines with Legos. Then they design an experiment using the scientific method. ESE modifications included.

• Rolling Through Space (Authored by Terrie Lyons.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson uses a common roll of toilet paper to give students a practical means of visualizing the vast distances that separate the sun and the planets of our solar system.

• Rube Rube (Authored by Kathy Lewis.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students design a Rube Goldberg Device using the six basic, simple machines. The students will make posters that illustrate the designs of their devices and that identify the simple machines involved. In addition, the students will write paragraphs to explain how machines work, mentioning the advantages and disadvantages of simple machines.

• Salt and Water Divorce by a Physical Change (Authored by Rosemary Wilson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The students vaporize water from a solution of salt and water leaving the NaCl behind and showing the separation by physical means (change of state of the water).

• Scientific Who's Who (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The student will choose a scientist from a specific culture or time period to research.The student will address the scientist's scientific, mathematical, or technological contribution and the effect of the contribution on human culture in a report.

• Sources of Energy (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students research various methods for preparing food and analyze energy sources.

• Space: The Final Frontier (Authored by Cynthia Lott.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use electronic technology to find information on the solar system and then construct a graph to explain the information. They also demonstrate a solar or lunar eclipse by providing a written explanation with an illustration of the planet chosen.

• Speed & Velocity with Straw Rockets (Authored by Lisa Nall.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What is speed? What is velocity? It what ways are they the same? In what ways are they different? How do you calculate them? In this lesson, students explore speed and velocity with Straw Rockets.

• State of Matter (Authored by Carol Houck.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students examine how atoms change from solid to liquid to gas.

• Survival of the Fittest (Authored by April Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Do all creatures in the sea swim? Do all of them have sharp teeth? No! Students use information learned about animal habitats and how they survive to develop their own “never before seen” marine creatures.

• Take A Meal Worm To Lunch (Authored by Robert Brock.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use mealworms in a guided inquiry lesson to stimulate questions from observations and learn how to use scientific processes in designing experiments to answer those questions.

• Testing Termites to Discover (Authored by Wendi Henderson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students utilize open inquiry and the scientific method to discover how termites respond to their environment.

• The Accident That Did Not Happen (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: How safe are your science students' skills? In this lesson, students become familiar with the basic rules of laboratory safety and some of the laboratory equipment used in scientific discovery.

• The Average Atom - Isotopes (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: When looking at a periodic table, students notice that atomic masses are decimal numbers. These masses are an average of all the isotopes of that element. Students investigate a model of isotopes by completing the Isotopes Model activity.

• The Colors on My TV Screen (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Visible light contains all the colors of the rainbow. However, electronic screens (TV, computer) use only three of these colors to produce the colors that we see on them. Students investigate these colors by making and testing a color wheel.

• The Energy Grab Game (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Demonstrates the scarcity of energy resources. It allows the students to experience competition for natural resources and demonstrates the result of inadequate distribution of natural wealth among the Earth’s nations.

• The Grass is Always Greener (Authored by Judy Marburger.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will use common grass to observe and experiment with cellular division.

• The Mathematical Fingerprint of Our Solar System (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Mathematics, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: An integration of science and math in the study of the locations of all planets in our solar system. Students learn the beautiful mathematical model unique to our solar system. A minimal knowledge of mathmatics is necessary.

• The Mysteries of Twins (Authored by Melinda Dukes.)

Subject(s): Language Arts, Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: How can twins help us uncover important information about hereditary? Students are taught how to read science content through the modeling of proper summarization techniques using the article, "Mysteries of Twins." Then, they practice the same reading techniques using another section of the same article.

• The Net Force and Rube Goldberg (Authored by Julie Brown.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Roll, drop, slide, twist, and turn your middle school students' attention by exploring net force while creatively building Rube Goldberg contraptions.

• The Portable Niche (Authored by Louise Kent.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students capture an ecosystem in empty film cans placed inside the bottoms of a two-liter bottles. Each created niche is then used to observe distinctive biotic samples.

• The Wedding of a Mountain (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The wedding of a mountain takes place every day! That is right, W for weathering, E for erosion, and D for deposition. In this lesson, students learn the distinctions of the three processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.

• Those Vexing Variables (Authored by Terrie Lyons.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students learn to recognize the dependent and independent variables in an experiment by practicing manipulation of variables. They also practice designing experiments that contain the two types of variables.

• To Be or Not to Be (Authored by Pamela Teske.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: In this lesson, students define the terms, abiotic and biotic. They compare and contrast biotic and abiotic factors presented while using the web cameras on the Web World Wonders website.

• Understanding Our Planet's Food Web (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: A team structured problem-solving activity that challenges the student's problem-solving ability. Students understand man's tenuous position in the environment and learn through a hierarchy of decision stages to conserve species diversity.

• Understanding Oxidation Numbers (Authored by Dale Peterson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson will help students grasp the relationships among protons and electrons, locations of various elements, electron energy levels, and oxidation numbers.

• Up, Up, and Away (Authored by Lisa Locklin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lesson will allow the students to explore the relationship between velocity and the time traveled by an airplane. The students will use hands-on activities to calculate the average speed, and approximate average velocity.

• Viral Diseases (Authored by Jackie Robertson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students will research three viral diseases of humans, plants, or animals and report their findings to the class through a presentation using a visual aid.

• Water Displacement to Determine Volume (Authored by T. Sundeen.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students use the water displacement method to determine the volume of solid objects.

• Web of Life (Authored by Sherri Barber.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students investigate using the Internet as their tool to learn about the food web and construct a food web in which Alaska is their basis of research. Students then construct their own food web after researching a habitat of their choice.

• What Is an Egg Without its Shell? (Authored by Wendi Henderson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This lab activity allows students to observe osmosis – a cellular process that normally can’t be observed without a microscope. Students follow the steps of the scientific method to observe osmosis in a chicken egg.

• What Is in a Rock? (Authored by Terrie Lyons.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: Students identify, sort, and classify mineral samples that make up a common rock.

• What Is the Freezing Point? (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: How does a liquid change to a solid? Students will remove heat energy and determine how it causes a phase change.

• What Is the Matter? (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What is the Matter? It’s a solid, a liquid, or a gas. In this lesson, students explore and identify the phases of matter and compare the particle motion in solids, liquids, and gasses.

• What On Earth (Authored by Cheryle Borsos.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: What on Earth Is Earth science? That is what students discover in this lesson through concept mapping, discussion, and self-discovery.

• What's the Matter? Locating Electrons in an Atom (Authored by Timothy Byrne.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: The students roll dice in order to simulate the probability of locating an electron in a certain region around the nucleus.

• What's Your Function? (Authored by Catherine Densmore.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: This activity is a creative way for students to learn and know the parts and functions of an animal cell.

• Where Is the Magnetism? (Authored by Jeri Martin.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: How does a magnet lose its magnetism? Students become familiar with magnetic domains and their influence on the magnetism of a magnet.

• Where Is the Moon? (Authored by Laura Jackson.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: A simulation is used to help students understand the location of the Earth, moon, and sun, in relationship to each other, during a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse.

• Wild Babies (Authored by Suzan Smith.)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: During this first day of the unit, students consider the source of our traits and characteristics. This activity is designed to get the students thinking, intrigue their interests, and to involve them in class discussion. A KWL Chart will be initiated and used as the Diagnostic Assessment.

• Zipping Through Our Solar System and Beyond (Authored by Richard Angelini Sr..)

Subject(s): Science (Grade 6 - Grade 8)
Description: A team-structured inside and outside classroom activity incorporating the concepts of scale, and ratios and proportion. Students construct many solar system models to scale and see our solar system as an action location in the vast void of space.