All resources in Virginia Science

Compression Waves

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After the completion of this module students will understand that sound travels in compression waves and must have a medium to travel. Sound also travels in liquids and gases. Students will also understand that sound waves are created by vibrations and capable of transmitting energy.This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 2, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 3

Electric Circuits

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This module is designed to guide students in better understanding what electricity is and how it works by investigating electrical circuits.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they use scientific terms to generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such as wires, batteries, switches and light bulbs to better understand how electricity behaves in open and closed circuits. This module was developed by Stephanie Hooks as part of a Virginiga Commonwealth Universtiy STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 3, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 2

Energy Transformations

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This module is designed to guide students in better understanding energy and its many different forms. The students will also understand how one form of energy is transformed into another form of energy.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such everyday appliances, electrical energy, energy from the sun and kitchen materials to create a device that can transform energy.This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly, Stephanie Hooks, and Karin Kaerwer as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 2, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 3

Energy’s Effect on the Phases of Matter

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This module focuses on SOL 5.7c, energy’s effects on phases of matter. The target population is a fifth grade inclusive classroom. After this learning experience, students should understand that as its temperature increases, many kinds of matter change from a solid to a liquid to a gas. As its temperature decreases, that matter changes from a gas to a liquid to a solid. This module was developed by Karin Kaerwer, Stephanie Hooks, Sarah Donnelly as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 2, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 3

Exploring and Experimenting with Electromagnets

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Students will construct a simple electromagnet using a dry cell, wire, nail, or other object containing iron (5.4 e), plan and conduct an investigation to determine the strength of an electromagnet (5.4 e), and define a problem and design a solution that uses an electromagnet; demonstrate and explain how the electromagnet works (5.4 e). After the completion of this module students will understand how to construct an electromagnet and explain how one works. This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 3, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 2

Friction

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After experiencing this module, students should understand that friction is a force that opposes motion (SOL 5.3e). This lesson was written with an inclusive fifth grade classroom in mind, but can be adapted for a smaller pull-out group if necessary. This module was developed by Karin Kaerweras part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsered by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 3, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 2