Foundation for Water & Energy Education
Perpetual Flow Activity
Set up a demonstration of how gravity can drive the perpetual flow of water during your hydro power unit. Science learners work in teams to make observations and formulate questions about how it works. They compare the model to what they...
Cornell University
Bridge Building
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
Moore Public Schools
Lyric Poetry
Discover lyric poetry through a reading of Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar and analyze its meaning with three short-answer questions covering symbolism, personification, alliteration, metaphors, and similes.
Curated OER
How Does Flowing Water Shape a Planet's Surface?
Students investigate how flowing water influence landforms. In this earth science lesson, students observe water behavior as it flows from the stream table at various inclinations. They discuss whether water shaped Mars landforms or not.
Curated OER
The History of Rice
Fourth graders investigate the history of rice by drawing a timeline of important dates. In this food history lesson, 4th graders research the history of rice, where it came from, and who first used it for food. Students...
Curated OER
Community Improvement
Students examine a local body of water to determinet the health of its ecosystem and monitor it during the year. If needed they write a report on any conditions that need improvement including photographs and relevant data.
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus Goes Upstream
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students travel upstream to discover how, like salmon, a homey smell can lead them, too.
Curated OER
Life in Streams and Ponds
High schoolers collect microorganisms, demonstrate correct laboratory/Gram stain procedure, and design and construct tables to organize data.
Curated OER
Exploration Watershed
Students discuss what a watershed is, and locate watersheds on a map. In this watershed lesson, students use the information they have been introduced to and create a color coded watershed map of their own.
Curated OER
Landforms of Illinois
Pupils discover the primary landforms of Illinois. They examine how those landforms were formed as well. In groups, they research one of the landforms from their vocabulary list. They create their landform in a shoebox and present it to...
Michigan Sea Grant
Exploring Watersheds
Collaboratively, students partake in a hands-on activity in which they build models of a watershed. Each group member draws an elevation map—a bird's eye view—of their model and predicts how water will flow from the high to low points....
Curated OER
There's a Watershed in my Backyard!
Young scholars explain what the term watershed is by creating a model. In this science, geography lesson, students demonstrate how the water moves in a watershed. Additionally, young scholars learn about point source and nonpoint source...
Curated OER
Fire, Rock and Water Volcanoes!
Learners participate in a demonstration that helps them visualize mudflows and how they move. In this exploratory lesson plan students simulate a mudflow and create an avalanche.
Curated OER
Hide and Seek Science
Learners examine macro-invertebrates in order to better understand their link to the food web. Working in groups, they record observations of several areas of a stream or river, collect samples from the river bottom, and identify the...
Curated OER
Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!
Learners are introduced to the state quarter program and examine the Colorado state quarter. They locate Colorado on a map and create a map with a key. They discuss the state motto and examine pictures of the state's geographical features.
Curated OER
Water Unit
Pupils explore ways to conserve water. After discussing water, its uses, and importance, students perform an experiment to discover how much water can be used when using a sponge. After creating water artwork, pupils determine how the...
Curated OER
Aquatic Ecosystems
Ninth graders record information on aquatic ecosystems and create a labeled diagram of an ecosystem of their choice. They can choose from an ocean zone, estuary, river, lakes, or beaches. The student has to explain their biome of choice.
Curated OER
From Maps to Models
Fourth graders study topography maps and learn the importance of their contour lines. In this map lesson students create their own topography map.
Curated OER
Storm Watch: Knowing What To Do
Students study the different types of weather and how storms form. In this weather lesson students make their own "tornado in a bottle" and create brochures.
Curated OER
Ocean in a Bottle
Learners create an enclosed ocean in a bottle and add different pollutants to explore the effects of pollution on the environment.
Curated OER
Contain Yourself: Changes Over Time in the Use of Containers by Native Americans
Students examine the types of containers used by Native Americans. They discover how their form and function has changed over time. They create their own container based on the Native American examples.
Curated OER
Take a Dip: Be a Field Guide
Young scholars create a Visitor's Field Guide for the local area in order to enhance the understanding of natural features of the area for those who may be unfamiliar with the area.
Curated OER
Report of Shop, Factory, Mill or Industrial Establishment
Students examine the pollution survey created in response to the Public Health Laws of 1903, and compare/contrast polluting factory discharges in 1903 to those allowed today. They analyze the report survey, complete a worksheet, and...
Curated OER
Posters and People
Young scholars create and design posters reflecting the types of litter harmful to aquatic wildlife. They explain the dangers of fishing line to aquatic wildlife, plastic bags to dolphins, and fish nets to fish. They design a poster to...