Communication in Space
Students will work in cooperative groups to create an accurate arrangement of mirrors that work together to relay a laser beam from a Mars space station to Earth’s Mission Control, which will model utilizing satellites in space for communication, an accommodation necessary for manned space exploration.
Newton's Second Law
Students will work in partners to investigate Newton’s second law by testing a series of experiments with varying conditions.
How Newton's Laws Apply Every Day
Students collaboratively determine how the characteristics of a real-world job correlate with each of Newton’s Laws and why that is relevant to their own lives.
Types of Science Investigations

Students will distinguish between descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigations.
Experimental Design

Given investigation scenarios and lab procedures, students will identify independent variables, dependent variables, constants, and control groups.
Convergent Plate Boundaries
Students will design and test models that will identify crustal features formed by convergent plate boundaries.
Full Speed Ahead
Students will use hover pucks to measure speed over a distance of six meters. Once speed has been calculated, students will determine velocity using the same data. Finally, students will be able to label all points of acceleration.
Building a Watershed
Students will model the effects of human activity on watersheds.
Save the Factory!
Students will design an experiment to test the outcome of friction in force and motion. The students will create an inclined plane demonstrating their knowledge of mechanical energy and the effects of gravity on an object. Students will use previous knowledge of friction to complete their task of stopping their object. Critical thinking skills will be the focus of the lesson as students will have to utilize their scientific problem-solving skills to make decisions regarding their experiment.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Vertical Alignment
Click below to learn about the TEKS related to the unit and Research Lesson. The highlighted student expectation(s) is the chosen focus for the Research Lesson.
Stages of Ecological Succession
Students will collaborate on a electronic slideshow presentation and observe, record, and describe the role of ecological succession including both primary and secondary succession.
States of Matter Fitness

In this 3rd through 5th grade video, students use their science knowledge and apply it using physical activity! Learning about the stages of matter, solid, liquid and gas, students perform an exercise for each as the teacher calls out an object such as soup or fog.
17 OnTRACK Scientific Process Skills

This binder contains seventeen separate resources focused on the scientific processes for conducting laboratory and field investigations.
6 Chapter 6: Stoichiometry

In this chapter, students are introduced to the mole, mass relationships, and stoichiometric calculations with balanced equations.
2 Chapter 10: Light

In this chapter, we discuss visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
6 Chapter 3: Kinematics

In this chapter, we analyze the motion of constantly accelerated objects over time in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
5 Chapter 6: Waves

In this chapter, we explore the mathematical concept of a wave and show how this concept can be used to accurately describe and predict many natural phenomena.
3 Chapter 7: Static Electricity

In this chapter, we explore how electrically charged particles interact through electrostatic forces and fields.
8 Chapter 3: Measurements

In this chapter, we strengthen math skills necessary for chemistry problems and discuss the SI units of measurement. Additionally, we convert between units of measurement and discuss interpreting data from graphs and tables.
3 Chapter 14: Nuclear Chemistry

In this chapter, we discuss nuclear reactions that occur in unstable nuclides.
8 Chapter 11: Electron Configuration and Periodic Trends

In this chapter, we discuss determining electron configurations and periodic trends.