Mike Mckee
217 Followers
Orlando, Florida, United States
About the store
I have 22 years of teaching experience and curriculum development, having taught in high school for most of that time. I have extensive experience in teacher professional development primarily with middle and elementary school teachers. Most of the professional development is geared toward an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, with a great deal of emphasis of changing the beliefs of appropriate instruction that will maximize student achievement.
I am the state director for the Florida Science Olympiad, which specializes in team based science competitions for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Finally, I am the director for undergraduate programs at the University of Central Florida in the College of Optics and Photonics.
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Science Made Simple - 5th Grade Science Labs and Activities
Contains 23 activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are by grade level, but I have these activities divided by content area in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you want them separated by Physical, Earth Space, or Nature of Science. Life Science coming soon.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that incorporate materials which are quick and easy to obtain. And, many of these books lack th
3rd - 5th
General Science, Science
Candy Atoms
Students make a "glob' of colored gummy candies, then use it to determine which atom they created, and learn how to get information from the periodic table. This is an inquiry activity and is an introduction to the periodic table, atoms, electrons, ions, and isotopes.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 543 H
6th - 12th
Chemistry
Elementary LAB How can Electricity cause Magnetism
Students will build a simple electromagnet and examine devices that utilize electromagnets to make things move.
3rd - 6th
Basic Principles, General Science
How do we determine if a substance is acidic, basic or neutral? LAB
How do we determine if a substance is acidic, basic, or neutral?
Description:
California State Standard(s): SC.8.5.e. Students know how to determine whether a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral.
Student Materials (per group) Additional Teacher Materials:
o 3-4 leafs of Red Cabbage o
o 250 ml Beaker
o Hot Plate
o 10 ml Vinegar
o 5 g Baking Soda in 50 ml of water.
o 1Transparency
o 1 Pipette
o Goggles
o Paper Towels
Background and Misconceptions:
Acids and bases
7th - 9th
Chemistry, General Science
How Many Stars Are In The Sky? LAB
Description: Students will count the number of stars in 2 pictures that are the same but at different sizes.
Florida Sunshine State Standard(s): SC.1.E.5.1 Observe and discuss that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can easily count and that they are not scattered evenly in the sky.
1st - 3rd
Earth Sciences
Science Made Simple - 4th Grade Science Labs and Activities
Containing 28 activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are by grade level, but I have these activities divided by content area in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you want them separated by Physical, Earth Space, or Nature of Science. Life Science coming soon.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that incorporate materials which are quick and easy to obtain. And, many of these books lack
3rd - 6th
Science
Elementary LAB How do our Eyes Work?
Students will use hand lenses to image objects and then relate these to the operation of the eye.
2nd - 5th
Anatomy, Biology, General Science
Science Made Simple - 3rd Grade Science Labs and Activities
Contains 21 Activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are by grade level, but I have these activities divided by content area in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you want them separated by Physical, Earth Space, or Nature of Science. Life Science coming soon.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that incorporate materials which are quick and easy to obtain. And, many of these books lack t
2nd - 5th
Science
What happens during a chemical reaction? LAB
Description: Students will create slime to determine how mass is conserved and observable properties change during a chemical reaction.
California State Standard(s): SC.8.5.b. Students know the idea of atoms explains the conservation of matter: In chemical reactions the number of atoms stays the same no matter how they are arranged, so their total mass stays the same. SC.8.3.b.Students know that compounds are formed by combining two or more different elements and that compounds have proper
7th - 9th
Chemistry
What is Gravity? LAB
Description: Students will drop marbles into a pan of flour from various heights to see the effect of gravity on the marble.
Florida Sunshine State Standard(s): SC.1.E.5.2 Explore the Law of Gravity by demonstrating that Earth's gravity pulls any object on or near Earth toward it even though nothing is touching the object.
K - 1st
Basic Principles, General Science
Science Made Simple: Nature of Science Activities, Grades 3-5
Contains 19 Activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are organized by content, but I have these activities divided by grade level in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you are looking for the books organized by grade levels K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Each of those contain the lessons across earth space, life, physical, and nature of science content areas.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that inco
3rd - 6th
Basic Principles, General Science, Science
How much force is needed to move different toy cars LAB
The amount of force that is applied to an object depends on its mass. Trying pushing a child on a bike, and you will find that it is very easy to push the child around, to make him or her speed up, slow down, or change directions. However, it is much harder to push an adult in a car and accomplish the same tasks.
Students will change the mass of a toy car to examine how its motion changes.
7th - 10th
Physics
Science Made Simple - 1st Grade Science Labs and Activities
Contains 14 Activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are by grade level, but I have these activities divided by content area in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you want them separated by Physical, Earth Space, or Nature of Science. Life Science coming soon.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that incorporate materials which are quick and easy to obtain. And, many of these books lack th
K - 2nd
Science
How are Astronomical Distances Measured LAB
Since the distances are vast in the solar system and between stars, astronomers have created various units to represent these large distances. They use them only because they are easier to use and they are agreed upon quantities.
Students will create a scale model of the solar system using astronomical units.
7th - 10th
Astronomy
Categorizing Galaxies LAB
Edwin Hubble was the first scientist to attempt to organize galaxies by shape and structure. His thinking was that galaxies evolved over time to develop from elliptical galaxies to spiral or irregular galaxies. He developed an galactic evolutionary guide now know as the Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram.
Students will use Galaxy Identification Cards to create an organizational scheme and compare it to the Hubble Tuning Fork Diagram.
8th - 11th
Astronomy
What are the different types of soil? LAB
Description: Students will perform a series of experiments to investigate the properties of several types of soil.
Florida Sunshine State Standard(s): SC.2.E.6.3 Classify soil types based on color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support the growth of plants.
5th - 7th
Archaeology, Earth Sciences, Environment
Science Made Simple - 2nd Grade Science Labs and Activities
Contains 19 Activities!
See table of contents in the sample file.
These lessons are by grade level, but I have these activities divided by content area in a separate set of books in my store. Check them out if you want them separated by Physical, Earth Space, or Nature of Science. Life Science coming soon.
Over the years, we have seen many books published for K-5 science but few are easy to use that incorporate materials which are quick and easy to obtain. And, many of these books lack t
K - 3rd
Science
5th Grade Biology LAB How do Atoms form Molecules
Students know all matter is made of atoms, which may combine to form molecules.
Students will construct molecules out of gum drop atoms and compare the structures of the molecules the students predicted to the actual structures.
5th
Biology
What do all living things need? LAB
Description: All living things need water, food, and air to live. In this lab, we will observe organisms to see whether or not this concept is true.
Florida Sunshine State Standard(s): SC.2.L.17.1. Compare and contrast the basic needs that all living things, including humans, have for survival.SC.2.L.17.2 Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.
1st - 3rd
Basic Principles, Biology, General Science
Does everything happen at the same speed? LAB
Description: Students will examine how long sugar cubes dissolve in hot and cold water to compare how things happen at different rates.
Florida Sunshine State Standard(s): SC.1.E.6.3 Recognize that some things in the world around us happen fast and some happen slowly.
K - 2nd
Basic Principles, General Science
Showing 1-20 of 150 results
About the store
Experience
I have 22 years of teaching experience and curriculum development, having taught in high school for most of that time. I have extensive experience in teacher professional development primarily with middle and elementary school teachers. Most of the professional development is geared toward an inquiry approach to teaching and learning, with a great deal of emphasis of changing the beliefs of appropriate instruction that will maximize student achievement.
I am the state director for the Florida Science Olympiad, which specializes in team based science competitions for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Finally, I am the director for undergraduate programs at the University of Central Florida in the College of Optics and Photonics.
Teaching style
Scientific inquiry is the best way to teach and learn because it engages students in their own critical thinking and problem solving. Instead of teachers "telling" students what to do, the students construct their own meaning from the lessons. I utilize an ABC - CBV approach: Activity Before Concept, Concept Before Vocabulary. This is an approach that is opposite of what most teachers traditionally use in their classrooms. However, it is most effective for student learning.
Awards & shining teacher moments
*Radio Shack National Teacher Award, 2002
*Teacher of the Year, 1998
*Received multiple local grants and awards
My own education history
Masters of Science in Physics Education, University of Central Florida, 2006
Bachelor of Science in Physics Education, Ohio State University, 1990
Additional biographical information
Can't find something? I also have videos and other items that I can make available upon request. I worked at a local television station and we produced about 15 shows that focused on many science concepts. Maybe one will work for you. Contact me and ask!
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