Counting Atoms
A low-stress, almost no-prep way to teach the idea that molecules are made of certain atoms that fit together in…
Category: Physical Science Lessons
Newton Car
Problem- you’re looking for a good lab that illustrates Newtons laws of motion, but you don’t want something that takes…
Periodic Table Project
In this lesson, students are given a completely blank periodic table and a long list of steps on how to…
Roller Coaster Lab
The best science lessons are those that are a win/win for students and teachers, and this is one of them.…
Testing Physical And Chemical Properties
This lesson came about because I realized my students would have a far better understanding of what physical and chemical…
Physical And Chemical Properties graphic organizer
A very handy graphic organizer that will walk your students through exactly what physical properties and chemical properties are, complete…
Boiled Ice
You’ve probably seen that graph that shows what happens when frozen water is heated and changes state until it’s a…
Light Bulb Dissection-showing 3 methods of heat transfer
Turns out those old incandescent light bulbs are good for something- clearly demonstrating all 3 methods of heat transfer- radiation,…
Renewable Energy graphic organizer
Wouldn’t it be great if your students could create a little 2-pocket booklet containing little cards that summarize the 9…
Waves Simple Concept Map
If you’re getting ready to teach waves to your students, you’ll need something to help them sort out all the…
States of Matter Venn Diagram
Summarize what solids, liquids, and gases have in common, as well as their unique properties, all in one handy, colorful…
Matter Flowchart
Who doesn’t get at least a little crossed up when discussing matter, mixtures, suspensions, elements, compounds, and solutions? After filling…
Energy-Kinetic, Potential, Mechanical
Use this graphic organizer to end all confusion about what kinetic energy, potential energy, and mechanical energy are. Set up…
Energy in Toys
A fun way to introduce or reinforce the main kinds of energy- elastic, chemical, heat, light, sound, electrical, & gravitational.…
Mixtures
Proof that even the toughest topics to teach can soften with just the right illustration (in this case, chromatography). Good…
Interactive Question-Asker
Looking for a cool way to review a chapter and touch back on how circuits work? This lesson does double…
Circuit Boards
Perhaps the cheapest and most effective way to teach series and parallel circuits. Students build a series and parallel circuit…
Periodic Pencil Classification
Watch as students progressively organize a group of pens and pencils using a scheme they devise themselves. And then spring…
Isotopes And Ions
Confused about isotopes and ions? This lesson will help straighten you out. Handout, Notes, and PPT
Dot Diagramming-Understanding The Placement Of Protons, Neutrons, & Electrons
This activity bridges 2 major chemistry concepts- atomic structure and how these atoms combine into molecules. Handout, Notes, and PPT…
Radioactive Samples
Learn about the 3 kinds of radioactivity- alpha, beta, gamma- by viewing actual samples of polonium, strontium, and cobalt, and…
Interactive Notes-Atoms
In this set of interactive notes students: calculate exactly how many atoms there are in air (within a few quinzillion,…
Newton’s Laws And Rocketball
In this lesson students won’t have a chance to get scared of Newton’s 3 laws. First, they will write a…
Interactive Notes-Why Is The Sky Blue?
In this special set of interactive notes: students create a progressively thickening “atmosphere”. At first it’s so thin that’s it’s…
Interactive Notes-States Of Matter
In this set of interactive notes students: produce a gas by combining a solid and liquid, observe a flapping penny…
Interactive Notes-Sound
In this set of interactive notes students observe that: a child’s toy illustrates what sound waves look and act like,…
Magnetism-Decode Encrypted Statements
Give students this puzzle without any help whatsoever and 2 things will happen- students will learn 5 important things about…
Interactive Notes-Magnetism
In this set of interactive notes: a paper clip quietly defies gravity, we see that some things can and cannot…
Interactive Notes-Light & Water
In this set of interactive notes students observe that: 1.money disappears, but then 2. it comes back doubled, 3.a pencil…
Interactive Notes-Forces & Newton’s 3 Laws
In this set of interactive notes students observe: 1.a ping pong ball become a rocket, 2. a strong-willed penny does…
Interactive Notes-Electricity
In this set of interactive notes students will: 1.move a ping pong ball in an unusual way, 2.light up a…
Forces Drop Test
We all know that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones, …right? Send this handout home with students for them…
Energy Consumption
See how well students can classify the power consumption of 21 common household items with this handout. Handout, Notes, and…
Energetic Atoms
Being told that a 50 foot-long trash bag will float if it is filled air and heated by the sun…
Circuits & Electromagnets-4 Inquiry Challenges
In this special lesson students must complete a series of 4 challenges after being given the objective and a few…
Dunking Duckies
Days like today will remind students why they like science. And for good reason- the dunking duck is fascinating to…
Solids, Liquids & Gases, Build, See, & Compare
It’s difficult enough to teach the states of matter without anything to aid the imagination! In this lesson, students use…
Word Adaptation
A great way to cover evolution that gives students firsthand experience with change over time. Notes and PPT
Balancing Chemical Equations
Teaching Balancing? What you need are methods that have worked with real students. This video is loaded with the tips…
Atomic Model-Change Over Time
A fascinating look at how the model of the atom has changed over the past 200 years. Huge discoveries =…
Candlelight Journey Through The 3 States
Teaching the states of matter doesn’t have to be difficult. It can indeed be soothing, as this activity demonstrates. Notes
Distant Forces
Contact forces are fun enough, but in this lesson we’ll explore 3 non-contact forces which, believe it or not, can…
The Great Adventure
Join a molecule of water as it magically experiences an increase in energy, resulting in a change of state. Once…
Counting Copper Atoms- An Investigation Into The Nanoworld Of Atoms
How can you measure something that’s so small that it can’t be seen? In this challenging but fun lesson students…
Clay Atoms
Most students fear atoms because they assume that since atoms are small they must be hard to understand. This activity…
Electricity-Watts, Wire, and What It’s Worth
After comparing the Wattages of devices, student wire a home (on paper at least) and then calculate the annual cost…
Meandering Marbles
A directionless marble ends all confusion about what speed and velocity are. Handout, Notes, and PPT
Heat Transfer
Bad news if you love to lecture- these 3 simple demonstrations in the hands of your students will teach heat…
Abe’s Makeover
Take the edge off chemistry as we use vinegar and salt to instantly remove the tarnish from an old penny.…
Radioactive Beans
Do your students understand exactly what is happening when a radioactive atom decays? If not, they will after doing this…
Bag Balance
Yes, heat rises. But why? An unforgettable lesson focused on teaching just this one concept. Notes and PPT
Convection Engine
An aluminum pie pan, coat hanger, and candle are all we need to understand convection. Handout, Notes, and PPT
Simple Motor
It’s true-when you build something yourself you understand it much better because you’ve seen the parts come together and you…
Where’s Newton?
Newton’s Principia, written in 1673, explains the movements and attractions of everything in the universe. At its heart are Newton’s 3…
Chemistry Surprise
A complete lesson that not only hits the foundations of chemistry, but also emphasizes listening and good writing. A great…
