Curated OER
Photosynthesis
Learners are introduced to the process of photosynthesis. In groups, they test the effects of the lack of sunlight on plant leaves and compare the results with their hypothesis. They note the characteristics that plants and animals share...
Curated OER
Farming 1: Farming Machines
Second graders explore different farm machines. In this farm lesson, 2nd graders discover the importance of farmers, and crops. Students discuss healthy eating and how crops are packaged. Students read books about farms and how bread is...
Curated OER
Where's the Beef - Beef Facts or Hype, Is it Bad for You?
Analyze a Happy Meal™ for nutrient content and calories. Blend the contents into "McMush" and use Biuret's solution to test for protein content. There are a few problems with the lesson plan: the resource links are no longer valid, the...
Curated OER
Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Your class considers a case study of a sustainable agro-ecosystem and view a PowerPoint presentation about a sustainable farm. They complete a case study worksheet. Extension activities are included.
Explore Learning
Student Exploration: Forest Ecosystem
In this ecosystem exploration activity, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use "Forest Ecosystem Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
Curated OER
Empty Oceans
In groups of four, pupils brainstorm about seafood. They view the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website to examine the problems caused by the seafood industry. Learners are then brought back together to discuss what they...
Curated OER
Prosperity and Challenges
High schoolers watch a slideshow about the technological advances in agriculture. After viewing, they complete an index card about one aspect of the slideshow. In groups, they create a cause and effect timeline in which they identify...
Curated OER
What Should I Know about Biosphere?
If your class is learning about the biosphere, you may find a study guide or reading guide helpful. Focusing on vocabulary, processes, and interactions, the Word document is easy to edit as needed to fit your needs. Another great option...
Curated OER
Water Wars
High schoolers investigate the water wars taking place in East Africa. In this global issues lesson plan, students watch video clips and read selected articles about the water shortages in East Africa. High schoolers estimate their own...
Curated OER
Illinois Biodiversity
Students examine the amount of biodiversity in the state of Illinois. They practice using new vocabulary and listening to stories about animals. After given time to reflect, they write their own haiku. They work together to create a...
Curated OER
Species Interactions
Students research desert species to find where it lives, what it eats, and what species it interacts with directly. Upon completion of research, students construct a web of all the species as a class. This emphasizes the role each...
Curated OER
Agriculture Defined
Open your Agriculture 101 course with a lesson on defining agriculture. Guide your class with thought-provoking questions and discussion. Give them time to play the card game, "Pit" in order to experience commodity exchange. This is a...
Curated OER
Agroforestry Challenge
Students explore agroforestry. In this Peace Corps lesson, students examine the role the trees play in deforestation efforts. Students then participate in an agroforestry game.
TerraCycle
What Can Nature Teach Us about Sustainable Design?
Talk about Velcro®, Gecko Tape, WhalePower turbine blades, and other innovations that mimic nature to inspire your STEM or engineering class. This set of worksheets gets them thinking about imitating nature in terms of sustainable...
Purdue University
Healthy Body Image: A Lesson Plan for Middle School Students
This is a very valuable lesson for middle schoolers on the importance of maintaining a healthy body image through diet, exercise, and positive mentality. The resource includes four lesson plans. The first two plans outline the physical...
Curated OER
March Market
Students role play a living wetland food web. They trace the food web associated with the items in their lunch.
Curated OER
The Portion is the Poison
Middle schoolers calculate the amount of everyday food products or liquids that would need to be consumed in order to become toxic. By using unit analysis, they calculate the amount of certain common food items that would need to be...
Curated OER
How Did That Get in My Lunch?
Learners view "The Danger Zone" to learn about food poisoning and the bacterial causes and prevention. Students look at slides, use a worksheet, "Microbial Bugs"and the internet to identify and learn about each bacterium.
Curated OER
Worm Composting: Vermiculture
Pupils compost in a limited space and describe the decomposing process. Students convert unwanted, organic matter, particularly food scraps and paper into fertile soil.
Curated OER
WHY WE AREN'T FILTER FEEDERS
Students describe three methods of obtaining food: scavenging, filter feeding, and hunting. They describe three methods of obtaining food: scavenging, filter feeding, hunting, and list at least two reasons why humans are not considered...
Curated OER
Ecological Citizen
Students examine the interconnectedness of living and non-living things that constitute an ecosystem. They examine fallen trees,insects, living trees, leaves, food webs, and forests. They conduct various activities and write poems about...
Curated OER
Eating for Your Future
Students brainstorm ways to live healthy. In this health science lesson, students recipes that are healthy and appealing. They compile all recipes and develop a class cookbook.
Curated OER
Calories
Young scholars explore calories. In this lesson about calories, students practice counting and recording calories. Young scholars use a sample Calorie Calculation Chart to record how many calories consumed in one day. Students do an...
Curated OER
Microbial Spoilers: The Impact of Microorganisms on the Shelf-life of Milk
Learners are inroduced to a commonly used microbial culturing technique. They explore the role of microorganisms in determining the shelf-life of food products.