In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad breaks down an action into a series of steps in order to program a robot to do what they need it to do.

This activity is a mini lab where students see the effects of gravity on objects falling from a resting state and objects projected out from the same level.

Gravitation introductory activity with interesting animation. The activity allows the student to revile the connection between the initial speed and the shape of satellite orbit.

In this lab students will make qualitative observations of flame color, a property of metals, to identify unknown metals in salt compounds.

This activity is an interactive lecture demonstration format which can be used to teach the first lesson of electrostatics. Students will investigate conservation of charge, charge by contact, polarization of charge and charge by induction.

Students are introduced to the (hypothetical) task of developing an invisible (non-intrusive) security system to protect the school's treasured mummified troll! Solving the challenge depends on an understanding of the properties of light. After being introduced to the challenge question, students generate ideas and consider the knowledge required find solutions. They watch a portion of the "Mythbuster's Crimes and Myth-Demeanors" episode ($20), which helps direct their research and learning toward solving the challenge. They begin to study laser applications in security systems, coming to realize the role of lasers in today's society.

In this physics activity, students will review and investigate stability of the nucleus of various elements. They will then determine factors that affect the stability of the nucleus.

Students will investigate the interactions between colliding objects using pushes and pulls. After listening to the book, Push and Pull by Charlotte Guillian, students will play a game of kickball and observe how the ball is pushed, pulled, started, stopped, collided with other objects and how it changed position and speed. As a group, students will then brainstorm about other objects being pushed, pulled or colliding and choose one of those objects to investigate. This lesson is part of a bigger unit based on this Performance Expectation and items not addressed in this lesson are addressed in other lessons.

Students learn how simple machines, including wedges, were used in building both ancient pyramids and present-day skyscrapers. In a hands-on activity, students test a variety of wedges on different materials (wax, soap, clay, foam). Students gain an understanding of how simple machines are used in engineering applications to make our lives and work easier.

In this interactive periodic table from the NOVA Web site, find out the role of various elements in making fireworks.

This is an outline for how one could incorporate quantum mechanics into atomic structure. Students really seem to get hooked on it and it makes atomic structure way more interesting to teach.

Introduction to Quantum Physics concepts with an activity demonstrating Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, wave/particle duality, Planck's Constant, de Broglie wavelength, and how Newton's Laws go right out the window on a quantum level.

Delve into a microscopic world working with models that show how electron waves can tunnel through certain types of barriers. Learn about the novel devices and apparatuses that have been invented using this concept. Discover how tunneling makes it possible for computers to run faster and for scientists to look more deeply into the microscopic world.

This article from Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle provides ideas on how school librarians can work with elementary teachers to teach about the Sun's impact on weather and climate. The author introduces the Standards for the 21st Century Learner, developed by the American Association of School Librarians. The author focuses on Standard 1, which calls for students to inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge through developing and refining questions, investigating answers, seeking divergent perspectives in information, and assessing whether the information found answers the questions posed. The free, online magazine draws its themes from the Seven Essential Principles of Climate Literacy, with each issue focusing on one of the seven principles.

In this video from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad figures out how fast their broom must go so they can reach Motherboard before Wicked.

How does energy flow in and out of our atmosphere? Explore how solar and infrared radiation enters and exits the atmosphere with an interactive model. Control the amounts of carbon dioxide and clouds present in the model and learn how these factors can influence global temperature. Record results using snapshots of the model in the virtual lab notebook where you can annotate your observations.

In this activity, participants will investigate radio waves—one type of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum. While radio waves are invisible, we can interact with them through interference. Participants will experiment with both non-conductive and conductive materials to determine which is best at blocking radio waves, while discovering differences in the radio waves used by a range of devices including: portable radios, walkie-talkies, and/or Bluetooth speakers. Because different devices use different radio frequencies, some radio waves will travel better through certain materials. Educators should begin with the file named: Radio Silence - Lesson Plan - START HERE.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

In this activity, learners will experiment with different materials to interact with the radio waves coming from a household Wi-Fi router. Participants will be challenged to both decrease and increase Wi-Fi signal strength through the choice and position of materials. Through use of a mobile app to track Wi-Fi signal strength, participants will explore the concepts of reflection, absorption, and transmission of radio waveswithin the experimental setup. An optional extension to this activity will introduce the concept of polarization of radio waves and allow participants to observe differences in dual-band Wi-Fi router signals. Educators should begin with the file named: W-Fi Detective - Lesson Plan - START HERE.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Smartphone.

This is an activity that students will use M&Ms to gain a better understanding of radioactive dating and half-lives.

Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students build spreadsheets to forward model an example of exponential decay and interpret the meaning of the decay constant.