Curated OER
Teaching the Complexities of Earth's Systems
An understanding of systems is integral to the study of the Earth.
Vosonos
Interactive Minds: Solar System
Travel through space as you learn about the galaxy, solar system, planets, and much more. An extensive resource for studying astronomy in upper-elementary and middle school classrooms.
Voyage Solar System
Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson plan then...
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Waste and Recycling: Recycling and Energy Recovery
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover. Young environmentalists learn about the overwhelming amount of garbage produced and discover better ways to minimize their impact on Earth by learning the difference between garbage and recyclables.
Teach Engineering
Get Me Off This Planet
What do Newton's Laws have to do with getting from Earth to Mars?The activities in this resource show how Newton's Laws work with rockets to get them into space. Background information includes facts about orbits and how orbits are used...
It's About Time
Taking a Ride on a Lithospheric Plate
Assist your pupils and broaden their horizons with several activities that determine the exact positioning of various communities over the globe. Pupils use data from the Global Positioning System to determine the position and rate of...
Stanford University
Solstice and Equinox Season Model
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
Curated OER
Teaching About Plate Tectonics and Faulting Using Foam Models
Young scientists learn about plate tectonics and the three different types of faults (normal, reverse, and strike-slip) using foam models. The activity also covers common types of locations where these faults are found.
Curated OER
Energy Inspiration Document and Website Production
Seventh graders conduct a web quest to find information on types of energy found in US. For this earth science lesson, 7th graders investigate the environmental consequences of using these resources. They develop a creative presentation...
Curated OER
Are Viruses Alive: Sample Socratic Questions
Students comprehend the definition and uniqueness of life and its complexities. They examine what characteristics constitute a living organism. Students recognize the extent of the role viruses play in the movement and molding of life as...
Curated OER
Who Will Get the Last Drop?
Learners discuss the importance of California's water system. In this earth science lesson, student play the role of different stakeholders. They present a 2-3 minute argument on their group's perspective about their need for water.
Curated OER
Activity 2: Salinity & Tides
Students explore the effects of tides and salinity on an estuary. In this salinity and tides lesson plan, students complete 3 activities which help them understand estuarine systems. They study the tides in the Chesapeake Bay, they study...
Curated OER
Are Nanobacteria Alive: Sample Socratic Questions
Students comprehend the definition and uniqueness of life and its complexities. They examine what characteristics constitute a living organism. Students recognize the extent of the role nanobacteria play in the movement and molding of...
Curated OER
Geography: World Dynamics
Students discuss and examine how the world is changing. After reading an article, they discover the immediate changes that have taken place and how they have effected living things. They complete a worksheet identifying the changes as...
Curated OER
What Proof is There to Support Biological evolution?
Students identify who developed the theory of evolution. The concepts of adaptation and development are discussed. The age of the earth is explored in relationship to the development of various species. The condition of the environment...
Curated OER
Ireland
Second graders discuss Ireland including its politics, education system, agriculture, etc . . . They locate Ireland on a map, and list facts about the country. They compare Irish money to American money.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere
Young scholars are introduced to the complex issues of water resources around the globe. In groups, they take on the role of a country and map out the location of water sources. They barter, sell or take over other groups to have access...
Curated OER
A River Mosaic#136
Students determine the meaning of culture as it applies to groups of people. They examine how immigration changes the cultural attribute of a geographic location. They design a Big Book that describes cultural mosaics.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Conservation: Water
Here is a fantastic experiment-based lesson plan on water conservation, waste, and filtration. The lesson plan is well-developed and provides background information, discussion leads, and six scripted lab activities anyone can do. The...
Curated OER
Deep Blue Sea
Elementary schoolers identify the ocean floor in a geological sense. They create a presentation that highlights the key features of the ocean floor. This terrific lesson plan has excellent streaming video segments embedded in it, and the...
Curated OER
Unit 1: Water is Life: The Heart and Science Behind this Phrase
Water, water, everywhere — but will there be enough to drink? Check out these detailed lesson plans to meet NGSS water cycle and CCSS literacy standards in your science classroom. Learners do a close reading of a challenging, poetic text...
PHET
Features of the Sun
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
Curated OER
Personality and Posts
Students examine the personality type needed to become a diplomat in the US Foreign Service. They look at the results of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test that each diplomat in training must take. They study their own personality type to...
Curated OER
The Mesoamerican Mystique
Learners gain a better understanding of the cultural diversity in the northern region of Central America. They engage in a lesson which focuses on research, archaeology, historical videos, and travel highlights.