Energy comes in many forms, but how do living things get the energy they need to survive and thrive? In a simple, controlled experiment with yeast, water, and sugar, groups make observations about how yeast reacts with water alone, then with water and sugar. Learners record the data they collect on the worksheet provided, then write a paragraph describing their observations. The first of a seven-lesson plan unit on energy and life, these activities lay the groundwork for the next lesson plan: energy sources.

Additional Tags

science

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Pros

• Explicit instructions for using cooperative groups, including fun job titles
• Simple lab set-up
• Accompanying video for teacher shows how to perform the lesson and helps to anticipate learners' responses 

Cons

• The publisher states that the activities could work for any grade from third through twelfth, but is most suited for middle or high school; if using with younger grades, you may choose to do the activity as a demo

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.9-10.3 RST.11-12.3