H2O - Change Me If You Can

This 2nd - 4th grade science lesson explores the concept of "heat causes change".  The concepts are effectively conveyed through a variety of group work, discussions, video, and evaluation (by Jan Briggs; DISCUS-2010-0016).

Where the Cows Go

This clever 10th or 11th grade chemistry lesson has excellent visuals and elements that appeal to kinsthetic learners in order to effectively convey the concept of equilibrium to students (by Tiffany Liden; DISCUS-2010-0007).

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Giant Bubbles

Remember the time that you had a competition with your friends to make the biggest bubble? Well, Sterling Johnson, an engineer who has turned his attention to bubbles wins everytime.  Check out this link to a video showing his work.  Next, go to soapbubbledk to get recipes for making your own bubble mixture.  Finally, to make your own giant bubble blower, go here.  Next time you have one of those competitions, you'll be sure to have the biggest bubbles on the block.

Ever wonder why bubbles are round?  This is because nature wants to minimize surface energy by minimizing surface area.  To learn more about bubbles, visit http://www.bubbles.org/. 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine

"Keep Texas Wild" is a section in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine for kids.  On the magazine website, you can also find a nice series of teacher lesson plans and activities related to the outdoors, wildlife, and science.  Most of these lessons could be adapted for virtually any grade level.

Butterfly Chromatography

With just a coffee filter, some colored markers, and water, you can make colorful butterfly chromatograms.  Marker ink is made up of different water-soluble colors which can be separated using water and a coffee filter. The hydrophilic (water-loving) colors travel across the cellulose (also, hydrophilic) coffee filter to provide the separation of color. This is a simple demonstration of the process called "chromatography", which literally means "color-writing".

This activity was compiled by Heather D. Tippens and is recommended for children in grades K - 3.

Jennifer Cruze

DISCUS is delighted to have help and input from Mrs. Jennifer Cruze, master science teacher and accredited SIOP instructor at Carroll High School (Southlake, TX).  She has been a major driving force and source of ideas for the development of the DISCUS program.  Jennifer will regularly write and provide you with useful information, ideas, and insight about K-12 education.  Check back often for new posts from Jennifer.

20 Lesson Plans

There are now 20 lesson plans published on the DISCUS site.  They are freely available to registered teachers/educators.

2010 Texas State Fair

DISCUS will host a booth at the 2010 Texas State Fair from Sept. 24 - Oct. 4, 2010.