Students will measure the effects of erosion by shaking a box of Plaster of Paris "rocks", gravel, and sand. Students will record data on a test card and create a graph using it. Students will record observations by writing and sketching, draw conclusions and document results of their investigations. A rubric, recording sheet, and examples of student work are included with this activity.

Students will create a classification tree based on grouping candy using eight different properties.

Students will identify properties that can be used to classify rocks by observing and studying them. Students will work in groups of 4-6 at a station which includes fifteen rocks for classification, hand lenses, and writing utensils.A student task card and a rubric are included with this activity.

Assesses students' abilities to make and record measurements of temperature and probes their understanding of the concept of insulation. Hot water is poured into three containers (metal, ceramic, and plastic) and temperature is taken and recorded over a 10-minute interval to investigate the effect of different container materials on heat transfer and insulating capacity.

Students will conduct an experiment to find out how well different wires radiate heat when voltage is applied across the wire. Students will use the results of their experiments to consider how the gauge of the wire and the type of wire affect the amount of heat radiated. Then, students will use what they learned from the experiment to address a practical problem solving situation. The activity portion is done in small groups. The follow-up questions are completed individually by each student working alone.

Students will collect data on the cooling of water in two different test tubes- one wrapped in wet newspaper and one in dry newspaper. They then identify trends in their data, make predictions, and describe how their experiment is similar to the body's perspiration. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, gather and collect data, identify trends and make predictions, and to demonstrate their understanding by relating the experiment to real life.

Students design investigations to test various materials for their ability to prevent heat transfer from the classroom to ice cubes, causing melting to occur. Students work individually over three class periods to plan, carry out, collect data and share results on their investigation. A student task card, rubric, and examples of student work are included with this activity.

Assess students' understanding of scientific inquiry including the following skills: observation, background research, scientific procedures (including investigation design, measurement techniques, and error analysis), data collection, data display, scientific questions, formulating an hypothesis. Students will design and carry out an investigation to test which material is the best insulator; they will predict which way heat energy will flow in a system and analyze the flow of energy in a system from one point to another and from one form to another.

Students test paper cups, styrofoam cups, and metal cans to determine which type of container would be best to use to keep drinks cool on a hot day. Each type is filled with ice water and temperature is recorded at specific time intervals.

Students will compare and rank several mineral samples by hardness as classified through a simple scratch test. They will then match their results to a bar graph that shows the hardness values of four named minerals to identify the samples. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect, organize, and analyze and make conclusions from data.

Students will place a peat pot in water to observe and calculate the rate of capillarity in a model of a soil. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations; collect, record, and represent data; use a data table to represent data; apply mathematics to solve for an unknown; use a graph to represent data; and draw conclusions from experiments.

Students will determine which of several soil samples are most permeable. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect, organize, and represent data, make conclusions from that data, and generalize about scientific concepts.

Students will investigate how different variables (such as type of seed, growth medium, amount of water, amount of light, and temperature) affect seed growth. The activity is designed to take students approximately 10 hours over a 2-week period.

Students measure, record, and compare three different temperatures of water to the surrounding air temperature. Students then record them on a chart and graph the results. Students observe the cooling and warming of water by observing and recording the change temperatures over time. Students then try to formulate explanations for their findings and apply them to real life situations. A student task card and a rubric is included with this resource.

Students will observe water changing from a liquid to a gas using evaporation with water left in cups over time. Students record their data in their Water Journals. This task includes "teacher talk" suggestions, probing questions, learning styles connections using water song, and formative assessment suggestions.

Students will examine graphical data describing the behavior of paramecia under various conditions. They determine patterns, make predictions, and describe basic physiological processes. The task assesses students' abilities to identify patterns, make predictions, and utilize their understanding of basic physiology.