PHYSICAL SCIENCE: CLASSIFICATION AND CONSERVATION OF MATTER
7.P.2A.1
Build an Atom: Atom
Interactive simulation
Use simple atomic models to illustrate the components of elements--including the relative position and charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Chemistry: Science Trek
Video
Learn about the basics of chemistry, including the parts of the atom, elements, compounds, and how elements are arranged in the periodic table.
Chemthink--Atomic Structure
Interactive Simulation
In this Chemthink tutorial and question set, you will explore atomic structure and complete a short quiz. Topics include: mass, charge, and function of subatomic particles; and protons, neutrons, and electrons. Also includes fill-in-the-blank notes and a short quiz.
7.P.2A.2
Periodic Table of Nottingham
Interactive
Interactive Periodic Table of Elements: Click on the element in the periodic table and view information about the element, interesting facts and a video of the element!
Periodic Table of Elements
Interactive
Hyperlinked information about each element—just click on the element in the periodic table. Also, downloadable, printable versions.
Build an Atom: Symbol & Game
Interactive simulation
Use information about elements-- including chemical symbol, atomic number, and atomic mass.
Meaning of Matter
Interactive lesson, discussion questions, and teaching tips
Matter, its categories, and its subcategories.
NOVA Elements
Interactive and teacher guide
Interactive and a NOVA Elements Teacher Guide: Explore an interactive periodic table and learn about each element and its properties; build an atom and experiment with atomic structure by determining how many protons, neutrons, and electrons needed based on atomic number and weight; construct elements and molecules in everyday objects; and watch NOVA: “Hunting the Elements”.
7.P.2A.3
Chemthink--The Particulate Nature of Matter
Interactive Simulation
In this Chemthink tutorial, you will explore the particulate nature of matter and complete a short quiz. Topics include: elements, compounds, and mixtures; solids, liquids, and gases; and atoms and molecules. Also includes a fill-in-the-blank notes.
Categorizing Matter
Video and discussion questions
Learn about the categories of matter, and the ways in which they differ from one another, with this video.
How Elements Form Compounds
Video, discussion questions, and teacher information
In this video excerpt from NOVA: "Hunting the Elements," David Pogue investigates chemical reactions involving sodium. Find out how the electron configuration of sodium, an alkali metal, makes it a highly reactive element. Meet Theo Gray, who demonstrates two sodium reactions: a spectacular explosive reaction with water; and an exciting reaction with chlorine, a highly reactive halogen. Examine how sodium and chlorine atoms combine to form the compound sodium chloride (ordinary table salt).
Compound Basics
Video and further information
The study of elements and compounds is an important part of the science of chemistry. A compound is substance made up of different elements joined together by a chemical bond. Find out more about compounds.
Compounds: Compounds vs. Mixtures
Video
What is the difference between a compound and a mixture? Learn about the differences and why mixtures are important.
Compound vs. Mixture: A Simple Separation
Video, activity, images, and lesson plan
During this activity your students will learn about compounds and mixtures. They will learn how a chemical change (reaction) is needed to break apart a compound and how mixtures can be separated by physical procedures. Your students will learn how workers at the Golden Reward Mine used a cyanide solution to chemically remove gold and silver from the ore they mined. Then your students will complete an activity in which they will use physical techniques to break apart a mixture.
Rare Earth Elements
Video, discussion questions, and teacher materials
In this video excerpt from NOVA: "Hunting the Elements," David Pogue learns about a set of elements commonly referred to as rare earths. Hear how rare earths are often used in technological applications and visit a rare earth mining site to learn more about where they are mined. Discover that rare earths are not really that rare and explore how their atomic structures make them nearly indistinguishable from one another.
Elements of Steel
Interactive activity, discussion questions, and background reading
This interactive activity and illustrated text from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Web site offers an in-depth explanation of steel and other alloys and how they've affected modern technology. It's not easy to imagine modern life without stainless steel. A table displays the contents and characteristics of seven elements that are commonly used in the production of steel alloys.
Atoms and Elements
Animation and discussion questions
Atoms are the smallest possible type of matter. Find out about atoms and elements with this animation.
7.P.2A.4
Molecular Compounds
Videos, images, tables, reading material, and review questions
Covalent compounds contain two or more nonmetallic elements held together by covalent bonds, in which atoms share pairs of valence electrons. A few rules can be applied to name simple covalent compounds: name the left-most element in the periodic table first, add -ide to the second named element, and use prefixes for the numbers of atoms. Covalent bonds are responsible for many of the properties of covalent compounds. Covalent compounds have relatively low boiling points, cannot conduct electricity, and may not dissolve in water.
Chemical Formula
Videos, images, tables, reading material, and review questions
Compounds are represented by chemical formulas. Elements in a compound are represented by chemical symbols, and the ratio of different elements is represented by subscripts. There are different rules for writing the chemical formulas for ionic and covalent compounds.
Ionic Bond
Video
This video is an introduction to ionic bonding, which is one type of chemical bonding. Ionic bonds hold together metal and nonmetal atoms. In ionic bonding, electrons are transferred from a metal atom to a nonmetal atom, creating ions. These ions have opposite charge, so they stick together.
Opposites Attract
Images, reading material, and discussion questions
Find out how table salt and other ionic compounds form, the properties of ionic compounds, and some uses of table salt.
Ionic Bond
Videos, images, reading material, and discussion questions
State how and explain why ionic bonds form. Describe the role of energy in the formation of ionic bonds.
Ionic Compound
Videos, images, reading material, and discussion questions
Describe ionic compounds and how they form. Explain how ionic compounds are named. Identify properties and uses of ionic compounds.
7.P.2B.1
Density—Sink and Float
Activity and lesson plan
Observe three household liquids stacked on each other and determine whether the densities are the same or different. Then predict the relative densities of the liquids and finally measure the volume and mass of each liquid to find out if calculations match observations and predictions.
7.P.2B.2
Density Lab
Interactive simulation
Use water displacement and a mass balance to determine the density of various objects in this interactive simulation of a classic physical science density lab. Can you determine the identity of the mystery substance from its density alone?
How Do I Calculate Density?
Images, reading material, examples, and problem set with solutions
Students will calculate a single variable (density, mass or volume) from the density equation, calculate specific gravity of an object, and determine whether an object will float or sink given its density and the density of its surroundings.
7.P.2B.3
pH Scale
Interactive simulation
Test the pH of things like coffee, spit, and soap to determine whether each is acidic, basic, or neutral. Visualize the relative number of hydroxide ions and hydronium ions in solution. Switch between logarithmic and linear scales. Investigate whether changing the volume or diluting with water affects the pH. Or you can design your own liquid!
pH Scale: Basics
Interactive simulation
Test the pH of everyday liquids such as coffee, spit, and soap to determine whether each is acidic, basic, or neutral. Investigate how adding more of a liquid or diluting with water affects pH.
7.P.2B.4
Elephant’s Toothpaste – Pop Up Science Experiment
Video
One-minute video includes list of materials, procedure, and observations.
7.P.2B.5
Balancing Chemical Equations: Introduction & Game
Interactive simulation
Use models to explain how chemical reactions are supported by the law of conservation of matter.
LIFE SCIENCE: ORGANIZATION IN LIVING SYSTEMS
7.L.3A.1
Good Thinking!—What’s the “Matter” with Cells and Atoms?
Video
What’s the “Matter” with Cells and Atoms? — investigates the difficulties students have with applying ideas about matter consistently and appropriately across the life and physical sciences, and with interpreting and relating different representations of microscopic structures.
Good Thinking! — What’s the “Matter” with Cells and Atoms?
What’s the “Matter” with Cells and Atoms? — investigates the difficulties students have with applying ideas about matter consistently and appropriately across the life and physical sciences, and with interpreting and relating different representations of microscopic structures.
Cell Structure
Video
Every living thing begins with the cell, which has specific parts functioning to make the cell work.
Single-Celled Organisms
Video, discussion questions, and background reading
They are neither plants nor animals, yet they are some of the most important life forms on Earth. Explore the world of single-celled organisms—what they eat, how they move, what they have in common, and what distinguishes them from one another—in this video.
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SEPUP: What Do Cells Do?
Interactive
Assemble animal and plant cells by selecting the appropriate organelles, then complete a Venn diagram comparing both types of cells.
7.L.3A.4
Ted Ed: How Antibiotics Become Resistant Over Time
Video
Explains how some types of bacteria are beneficial and others are harmful, and how overuse of antibiotics can create superbugs.
Ted Ed: You Are Your Microbes
Video
Explains the importance of the microbes that live in our guts.
7.L.3B.1
Human Body
Video, images, interactive, tables, information, discussion questions, and summary
Introduces cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems in the human body.
7.L.3B.2
The Whole Frog Project
Interactive simulation
The curriculum goal of the Whole Frog Project is to provide biology classes the ability to explore the anatomy of a frog by using data from high resolution MRI imaging and mechanical sectioning, together with 3D surface and volume rendering software to visualize the anatomical structures of the original animal.
LIFE SCIENCE: HEREDITY – INHERITANCE AND VARIATION OF TRAITS
7.L.4A.1
Modeling DNA
Interactive, videos, activities, and lesson plan
In this activity, students explore the structure of the DNA molecule and begin to understand how chromosomes, genes, and the base pairs, sugars, and phosphates of the DNA molecule are related. Students view and discuss video segments that describe the role of various genetic units. They also build models of DNA molecules -- using gumdrops, licorice, and toothpicks. At the end of the lesson, they join their model molecules together to form one large strand of DNA.
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7.L.4A.3
Heredity: Who Are You?
Video and link to additional resources
The passing down of traits from parent to child is called heredity and the study of how those traits go from generation to generation is called genetics. We start by learning about DNA and genes, and how they make us who we are.
Life's Instruction Manual: Interactive Lesson
Interactive lesson, discussion questions, teaching tips, and vocabulary
The human genome serves as an instruction manual for life, with its own distinct letters, alphabet, sentences and chapters. Learn about the genome, nucleotides, DNA and genes with this interactive lesson.
Some Genes Are Dominant
Interactive, background reading, and discussion questions
Using several animated sequences, this interactive activity demonstrates the principle of dominance, which is fundamental to modern genetics. By crossing two pea plants, each pure-bred for a given trait like pea color, we learn why only the dominant trait—in this case, yellow pea color—appears in any and all offspring. We also learn why some offspring in subsequent generations exhibit the recessive trait—green—even though this may not have been apparent in the previous generation.
7.L.4A.4
What is a Trait?
Interactive and background reading
Take a tour of the basics of genetics and learn about DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, and how genetic traits are inherited in this interactive from the University of Utah.
Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance
Interactive, background reading, lesson plans, activities, and discussion questions
This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center , illustrates how a tool developed by scientist Reginald Punnett—the Punnett square—validates Gregor Mendel's laws of genetic inheritance. Watch how the Punnett square can be used to display the possible genetic outcomes when two yellow-seed hybrid pea plants are crossed. The results clearly illustrate Mendel's principle of dominance and why the potential offspring traits appear with a predictable 3-to-1 dominant-to-recessive frequency.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science - In Sickness and in Health
Lesson plan
In this mock scenario, a couple decides to see a genetic counselor to determine the likelihood of passing on genetic diseases to their future children. This fictional case study provides excepts from their conversation, as well as guiding questions and references for students to research further to learn about patterns of inheritance.
More Alike Than Different
Activities and lesson plan
Combining hands-on projects and interactive components, this robust lesson provides a thorough introduction to DNA, the function of genes, and similarities between and among organisms.
Life's Instruction Manual: Interactive Lesson
Interactive lesson, discussion questions, teaching tips, and vocabulary
The human genome serves as an instruction manual for life, with its own distinct letters, alphabet, sentences and chapters. Learn about the genome, nucleotides, DNA and genes with this interactive lesson.
Some Genes Are Dominant
Interactive, background reading, and discussion questions
Using several animated sequences, this interactive activity demonstrates the principle of dominance, which is fundamental to modern genetics. By crossing two pea plants, each pure-bred for a given trait like pea color, we learn why only the dominant trait—in this case, yellow pea color—appears in any and all offspring. We also learn why some offspring in subsequent generations exhibit the recessive trait—green—even though this may not have been apparent in the previous generation.
7.L.4A.5
NOVA Evolution Lab
Interactive
For each level (mission) of this game, build phylogenetic trees by identifying common characteristics of organisms. By clicking on the magnifying glass, pull up organism profiles to find similarities and differences. Short video clips introduce each mission, which start at an introductory level of autotrophs and heterotrophs and advance through to base pair mutations, convergent evolution, early human ancestors, and more. Deep tree mode also allows player to click and drag or search through the phylogenetic tree to explore the evolutionary relationships between species.
7.L.4A.6
TED Ed: Are GMOs Good or Bad?
Video
Discusses the controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms for use as food crops.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science – Do You Really Know What You’re Eating?
Case study and lesson plan
This mock case study explores an incident of a possible allergic reaction to genetically modified corn. Read through a news article, a press release, and a letter to the editor about the incident. This lesson includes related topics for students to research to gain insight into GMOs before settling on a decision about their safety.
ECOLOGY: INTERACTIONS OF LIVING SYSTEMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
7.EC.5A.1
Three Levels of Biodiversity
Interactive, background reading, discussion questions, and teaching tips
What's the difference between diversity in genes and species? Why are some species better than others at adapting to environmental changes? Learn more about specific levels of biodiversity, and see examples of plant and animal species and why they are important to each level.
Why We Should Protect Freshwater Mussels
Interactive lesson and teaching tips
In this interactive lesson, students will increase their understanding of the important role that freshwater mussels play in our watershed. Students will learn about freshwater mussel species, how mussels improve water quality in rivers and streams, and the steps being taken to ensure their protection from factors that threaten their survival. Students will read informational text, watch videos, analyze images, take notes, and complete short assessment activities. As a final assignment, they will write an opinion article supported by evidence they’ve collected during the lesson.
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7.EC.5B.1
The Living Soil Beneath Our Feet
Video clip and supplemental materials
An underground, up-close look at how a Douglas fir and a mushroom are connected by hyphae, ants, moss mites, nematodes, amoebas, and bacteria.
Water and Soil
Media Gallery (Video)
Interactions between living and non-living things in ecosystems support the survival of living things. In this lesson, students will identify living and non-living things in various ecosystems, explore interactions that occur in natural and managed ecosystems, and identify patterns of interactions that exist across ecosystem types.
Biomes
Interactive, background reading, and discussion questions
The distribution of plants and animals around the world is anything but random. Instead, it is a result of the interplay of individual environmental tolerances of species and the environmental conditions, especially variations in temperature and precipitation. These interactions result in biomes, the categories into which ecologists organize similar communities of plants, animals, and the environmental conditions in which they live. This interactive resource adapted from NASA features some of the physical and biological characteristics of seven of the world's biomes.
Build-a-Fish
Interactive, background reading, and discussion questions
In this interactive activity from Shedd Aquarium, design a fish that has the right adaptations, or traits, to help it survive in a reef environment. Choose a body, mouth, and color/pattern, then release your fish into the ocean reef to search for food and evade predators. Steer your fish around the reef to see how well it survives with the traits that you gave it.
Navigate a Watershed
Interactive, background reading, and discussion questions
Students learn how the physical, chemical, and biological systems within watersheds work together to create a continuum of resilient interconnected ecosystems with this interactive website. They can dive under water to see what animals live in headwaters, mid reach streams and rivers.
7.EC.5B.2
Activity: Build Food Chains & Food Webs
Interactive
The interrelationship between species in the river, wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats of the Platte River prairie ecosystem is a complex, dynamic food system. By exploring food chains and food webs, you will discover how energy is transferred from one organism to another. All living things are connected.
D.R.I.P. Project | Macro Community Module
Interactive
Take a look at how our drinking water system positively affected by aquatic insects. By learning about the food web and the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, students will gain a better understanding of what a healthy river looks like.
7.EC.5B.3
Wolves of Yellowstone: Lesson Plan
Case study, activity, and lesson plan
A two-part case study including an introductory video, student worksheets, and student role play activity to explore the impacts of the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park in 1995.
Annenberg Learner Ecology Lab
Interactive simulation
Add producers and consumers to a habitat and control how the organisms interact to keep the ecosystem balanced. Player sees each species represented graphically over time to monitor populations and can work to complete the challenges, or in free play to explore ecosystem relationships.
PBS Kids Make a Mangrove
Interactive
Build a mangrove ecosystem by gradually introducing species and try to keep it balanced by making sure each species has enough food to survive.
7.EC.5B.4
TED Ed: The Threat of Invasive Species
Video
Discusses the impacts of kudzu and Burmese pythons in the Southern US, and European rabbits in Australia. Also learn about how stable ecosystems limit species populations.