Thru the Microscope

Students will develop a graphical model of the Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases and how they affect our tides. NGSS-MSESS1-1 In this activity, students will go to the NOAA website and collect tidal data from a region around the US. Students plot a month of tidal data and predict the moon phases based on how high the high tides are and how low the low tides are (spring vs neap tides). Students are amazed to find that their predictions are right by looking a

Students will test baking soda, baking powder, sugar and corn starch to identify their chemical and physical properties and to see if there was a chemical change. This is such a great interactive lab for middle school students learning chemistry!

Mr. Worthington has been killed! Students must solve this mystery using pH indicators; red cabbage and turmeric. Students test each suspect's evidence and identifies the killer through pH testing. Students LOVED this mystery. It is a way for students to apply their knowledge of pH, indicators and problem solving skills! Answer key includes "Who dunnit?" answer and explanation.

Students can create plastic from a synthetic material! This is a 2-part experiment with background information and steps to create fun plastic using milk and vinegar or cornstarch and water! Students can take their biodegradable home with them as a souvenir!

The most safest, fun lab for students to look at the differences in compounds! In this lab, I created a mystery (including students and staff in the story) that allows students to solve using FIRE! Since my classroom does not have gas, I was able to create a flame test lab using Popsicle sticks. Students were able to see a variety of flame colors and were able to connect that to the mystery. Included in the lab is a list of materials, detailed procedures and conclusion questions.

The law of conservation of mass indicates that mass cannot be created nor destroyed. Using vinegar, baking soda and a sealed plastic bag, students determine the mass of the vinegar and baking soda. Students then seal the vinegar and baking soda in a plastic bag and mix the substances. Students will determine the mass before and after any reaction occurs. This lab includes a two-part procedure: open vs closed system, a list of materials, conclusion questions and an ANSWER KEY!

A fun project for students to use the engineer design process to create a catapult! Students will use potential and kinetic energy to create a catapult a marshmallow the furthest than their peers! Introduction, instructions, assessment questions, and rubric included!

In a fun activity, students measure the mass of the lollipop after so many licks. Students then graph their data. This activity allows students to effectively use the scale and learn how to graph data. Students will enjoy it so much, they often forget they are learning.

What a very intense review game! Students will race each other to correctly answer the question. The directions for the game and review questions are provided. My students love this game! Have fun and make sure you have plenty of Expo markers because the students will wear them quickly :) Materials: Deck of Cards, expo markers I play this with 7th and 8th graders with a class size from 20-30. This powerpoint includes questions that cover elements, compounds and mixtures, atomic structure, densi

Students will explore the effect of the height of a ramp and the mass of an object on the potential and kinetic energy. Students will calculate velocity, kinetic and potential energy to investigate scientific questions.

Thermal energy is the internal energy contained by a substance because of the vibration and movement of the atoms and particles of the object. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another object. Heat always moves from areas of high temperature to areas of lower temperature until it reaches thermal equilibrium and spreads out evenly. Students will test thermal equilibrium through a lab.

Students will complete three experiments and determine whether an endothermic or an exothermic reaction occurred. Extensive analysis questions are included after the lab. Lab materials include simple household items that make for easy setup and clean up!

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Electromagnetic Spectrum on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!

Students will observe and determine how indicators can be used to determine if a household substance is acidic or basic. This lab includes step-by-step procedures, a list of materials and conclusion questions. Students absolutely loved this lab and loved seeing the color change of the red cabbage. To get red cabbage, I boiled red cabbage on the stove and used the liquid as an indicator. The results are unbelievable!

Students will do an interactive lab that is designed to demonstrate the modern view of natural selection and evolution. Students will complete the lab with conclusion questions and pie charts.

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Moon and Eclipse on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Refraction on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Sun Protection on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Waves on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!

A quick and easy guide for students to complete BrainPop Atmosphere on their own! A perfect online activity for students Grade 5-9! Includes login information for quick access for all students!