Leaf Chromatography

1) LESSON PLAN BY BETTERLESSON

2) DOLLAR TREE ACTIVITY

3) PLAYDOUGH TO PLATO ACTIVITY

4) TED-ED LESSON

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.14

PER STUDENT

Photo cred: Pexels

Required materials:

several leaves from different trees, small glass containers, rubbing alcohol, paper coffee filters, shallow aluminum pan, hot tap water, aluminum foil, scissors, tape, marker, sticky notes, plastic spoons

TED-Ed Description:

It's true that the cooler weather is a good indication that the seasons are changing, but there's no sign like the color of the leaves. In this lesson, you'll learn why leaves change color in the fall, and you'll learn how to do paper chromatography to separate the pigments found in a leaf.

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

All the Buzz for Bees

1) LESSON PLAN by PROJECT NEURON

2) TED: Why we need bees

3) TED-ED: The case of the vanishing honeybees

4) TED-ED: Why do bees love hexagons?

5) TED-ED: How bees help plants

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.13

PER STUDENT

Photo cred: TED

Recommended materials:

game pieces, plastic cups, dice/die, dry erase board with marker (optional)

Description:

This lesson helps learners understand how genes and environment affect animal behavior of the almighty yet vanishing honeybee.

Tips:

Materials don't necessarily have to be purchased new for this activity. Household or classroom items that you already have can be used (i.e. math manipulatives for the game pieces or substitute the dry erase board with pen and paper).

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)  2. Developing and using models  3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Muscle Models

1) LESSON PLAN BY THE FIELD MUSEUM

2) LESSON PLAN BY KRIEGER SCIENCE

3) TED-ED LESSON

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.07

PER STUDENT

Photo cred: Krieger Science

Required materials:

rubber bands, craft sticks, straws, metal brads, ruler, metal paper clip

Description:

Humans have 600+ muscles but only a set number of muscle fiber at birth. These fibers can increase in strength and size with exercise. In these lessons, students can learn the cellular mechanisms that lead to muscle growth as well as create and test models of muscle fiberss. 

NGSS alignment:

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)  2. Developing and using models  3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data 5. Using mathematics and computational thinking 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Keep Calm and Just Breathe

1) LESSON PLAN BY TRYENGINEERING.ORG

2) LESSON PLAN BY SCIENCE SPARKS

3) TED-ED LESSON

ESTIMATED COST:

$0.12

PER STUDENT

Photo cred: TED-ED

Required materials:

plastic soft drink bottle, straw, rubber band, scissors, balloons, clay

Description:

Breathing ensures oxygen is transported to cells so they can function while removing carbon dioxide, a byproduct of this process. This lesson involves constructing a model lung to show how the complex process of breathing keeps us all alive.

Tips:

Materials don't necessarily have to be purchased new for this activity. Household or classroom items that you already have can be used and reused for this activity, saving you even more money!

NGSS alignment:

2. Developing and using models 6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information