Matter, Energy, and the Environment Unit

Comprehensive STEM Unit: Matter, Energy, and the Environment with Interactive Lessons

This 7-part unit offers 58 engaging lessons (50 minutes each) and over 125 pages of printable work bundles, providing students with an immersive learning experience in Matter, Energy, Forces, and the Environment. Each work bundle is designed to follow a detailed set of interactive slideshows, which include hands-on activities, built-in quizzes, games, and visual learning tools. With editable content and seamless integration into Google Classroom, this unit offers everything teachers need to deliver a dynamic and standards-aligned curriculum.

Highlights of Each Part

• Part 1: Matter:

• 12 Lessons, 21-page work bundle

• Topics include: Matter, Elements, Mixtures, States of Matter, Phase Change Lab, Ice Cream Activity, Laws of Conservation of Matter, Physical and Chemical Changes, and more.

• Activity examples: Soda Store Project and Graphing Physical Properties.

• Part 2: Gas Laws:

• 7 Lessons, 13-page work bundle

• Topics include: Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, Avogadro’s Law, Hydraulics, Archimedes Principle, and Viscosity.

• Activity examples: Viscosity Olympics, Foil Boat Project, and Cartesian Diver Activity.

• Part 3: Forms of Energy:

• 7 Lessons, 17-page work bundle

• Topics include: Thermodynamics (1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws), Heat Transfer (Convection, Conduction, Radiation), Nuclear Energy, and Energy Flow Charts.

• Activity examples: Convection and Radiation Labs, Listening Trials.

• Part 4: The EM Spectrum:

• 8 Lessons, 13-page work bundle

• Topics include: Waves (Mechanical and Electromagnetic), Light Refraction and Diffraction, Lenses (Convex, Concave), Gamma Rays, Radioactive Decay, and Radar.

• Part 5: Electricity:

• 5 Lessons, 13-page work bundle

• Topics include: Static Electricity, Van de Graaff Generators, Coulomb’s Law, Circuits, and Ohm’s Law.

• Activity examples: Building Circuits and Designing a Circuit.

• Part 6: Magnetism:

• 4 Lessons, 8-page work bundle

• Topics include: Magnetic Fields, Compass Navigation, Electromagnets, and Electric Motors.

• Activity examples: Build a Linear Magnetic Accelerator, Compass Outdoor Activity, and Electromagnets.

• Part 7: The Environment:

• 11 Lessons, 27-page work bundle

• Topics include: Energy Flow, Non-Renewable Energy, Population Growth, Sustainability, Carrying Capacity, R and K Species, and Sustainable Architecture Project.

• Activity examples: Low Canal Case Study, Columbite-tantalite Analysis, Tragedy of the Commons, Learn about sustainable design and then use Google Sketch-Up to design an Environmentally Sustainable House.

Interactive Features

• Built-in Quizzes and Games: Each part concludes with a quiz game for review and additional assessment.

• Hands-On Activities: Projects like making ice cream, foil boats, and building circuits reinforce critical concepts.

• Printable Work Bundles: Include diagrams, graphing activities, and fill-in-the-blank notes to engage students in learning.

Standards Alignment

This unit is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and also addresses Common Core Standards for ELA and Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects.

This comprehensive STEM unit provides science teachers with a dynamic, standards-aligned resource for exploring matter, energy, forces, and the environment. Packed with interactive slideshows, hands-on activities, and engaging assessments, it fosters a deep understanding of fundamental physics and environmental concepts. With seamless integration into Google Classroom, editable content, and alignment with NGSS standards, this unit is ideal for middle and high school educators looking to create an impactful STEM learning experience. Whether you're teaching gas laws, electromagnetic waves, or sustainability, this unit equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for real-world problem-solving in STEM fields.