IN · Science in the City

Filter Resources

The Carbon We See Everyday – The Science of Trader Joe’s

Get ready to take your students on a carbon-powered shopping trip to Trader Joe’s! This lesson on the carbon cycle transforms an everyday grocery store visit into a science adventure, showing how carbon is everywhere—from the veggies in your cart (photosynthesis, anyone?) to the paper bags made from carbon-rich trees, and even in the breath of shoppers exhaling CO2. Through relatable examples, the lesson makes the carbon cycle come to life, linking natural processes like respiration and decomposition to the things we encounter daily. With a lesson plan, student handouts, and a slide deck, you’ll have everything you need to turn your classroom into a carbon-cycle hotspot!

Lesson Plans Biology 6-8th CA GA IN NGSS Aligned TN

View

Tanzania – Fighting Climate Change With Safari’s & Reforestation (VR)

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about the fight against climate change? Does your mind immediately think about the environmental efforts of African nations? In this lesson, students will learn about the powerful impact of humans on the environment. In Tanzania, scientists have worked on building a better and more sustainable culture. The reason why animals thrive in African safaris is because of the careful work to keep the (abiotic) non-living factors healthy enough to allow the animals to thrive. Additionally, using scientific knowledge to plant trees produces a healthier environment. The basic concepts are Ecosystem, Abiotic vs Biotic factors, Biodiversity, and Reforestation. The lesson includes virtual visits to Safari sites and a Reforestation project.

Lesson Plans Social Justice Virtual Reality Biology Earth & Space 9-12th CA GA IN NGSS Aligned TN

View Download

Smoke Rings – Air Vortex Movements

A vortex ring is a circular shaped ring of spinning gasses that move together as a unit. A vortex ring can happen in liquid or gasses, but are rarely seen because they happen inside of liquids or gases. When a vortex ring happens inside of suspended particles—as in the smoke rings which are often produced by smoke they can be seen. Visible vortex rings can also be formed by the firing of certain artillery, in mushroom clouds, and in microbursts.[1][2]

A vortex ring usually tends to move in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the ring and such that the inner edge of the ring moves faster forward than the outer edge. Within a stationary body of fluid, a vortex ring can travel for relatively long distance, carrying the spinning fluid with it.

Lab Examples Lesson Plans Physical Science Physics 9-12th K-6th CA GA IN TN

View

Sling Shot Rockets

Slingshot physics involves the use of stored elastic energy to shoot a something at a high speed. This elastic energy comes from rubber bands which are specially made for slingshots. This energy is provided initially by the muscle energy of the slingshot operator. One of the goals of a slingshot is to fire the projectile at the greatest speed possible. To do this two basic physics conditions must be satisfied.

Lab Examples Lesson Plans Physical Physical Science 6-8th 9-12th CA IN TN

View

The Simplest Electric Motor

Flick a switch and get instant power—We loved to use electric motors even when we don’t know we are using them! You can find them in everything from electric lights to to remote-controlled cars—and you might be surprised how common they are. How many electric motors are there in the room with you right now? There are probably two in your computer for starters, one spinning your hard drive around and another one powering the cooling fan.

Lesson Plans Physical Science Physics 6-8th 9-12th K-6th CA GA IN TN

View

Genetics Through Reebops

Genetics plays an important role in our life. How often have you wondered why someone’s brother or sister looks dramatically different from them? Our genes operate by a set of rules that we should talk about more often. Each parent has genes that split in half, scramble and then replicate. Even after that there are environmental factors that cause the genes to work. This lab uses simply marshmallows to teach this idea.

Lab Examples Lesson Plans Biology 6-8th 9-12th CA GA IN TN

View

The Science of Ice Cream

To make ice cream, the ingredients—typically milk (or half and half), sugar and vanilla extract—need to be cooled down. One way to do this is by using salt. If you live in a cold climate, you may have seen trucks spreading salt and sand on the streets in the wintertime to prevent roads from getting slick after snow or ice. Why is this? The salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes, so with salt ice will melt even when the temperature is below the normal freezing point of water. This is an easy way to teach phase change.

Lab Examples Lesson Plans Chemistry Physical Physical Science K-6th CA GA IN TN

View

Fractions – Working with Equivalent Fractions

Teaching fractions can be tough. As students are thinking about new ways to represent fractions they can struggle with making sense of numerical relationships. This lesson provides students a chance to explain, manipulate, and alter fractions by using online software. This lesson is based on PHET software that will allow the students to use and manipulate fractions.

Lesson Plans Math K-6th IN

View

IN

Privacy Policy