Minnesota Literacy Council
Scientific Method
Here is a resource with a descriptive approach to explaining the scientific method. It's simple, but effective for both introduction and reinforcement of this concept.
NOAA
Where There's Smoke, There's ...
A remotely operated vehicle approaching a volcano was engulfed by molten sulfur where the plumes of fluids contained the highest concentrations of aluminum ever recorded. This isn't science fiction or an April fools joke, though it did...
California Academy of Science
Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
Curated OER
Earth Day
Students complete a variety of Earth Day activities. In this recycling and the environment lesson plan, students listen to Earth friendly music, create a car out of juice boxes, use soda cans and bottle caps to create a Halloween...
Curated OER
The Earth Day Groceries Project
Students research Earth Day and make bags to hand out on Earth Day to help promote taking care of the environment.
Curated OER
Life on Earth and Beyond, Our Search for Answers
Students in a special education classroom are introduced to how the universe and solar system was formed. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Earth that support human life. In groups, they compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Earth Day...Comin Atcha!!!
Students explore the idea of consequence that every individual leaves a daily environmental footprint. They read articles about creative solutions to solid waste issues and then create an artwork from household trash.
Curated OER
Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...
BrainPOP
Migration Activities for Kids
For as long as there has been life on earth, animals, including humans, have used migration as a means of survival. This collection of activities supports young scientists as they learn about this behavioral adaptation, encouraging them...
Curated OER
Earthquake Experiments
Students discuss the effects of earthquakes. For this earth science lesson, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.
Curated OER
Using the Synoptic Code for the Prediction of Water
Students construct a thermoscreen for the experiment. In this earth science lesson, students make observations and interpret them using synoptic codes. They predict the weather based on gathered information.
Polar Trec
Beacon Valley Weather
In Beacon Valley, katabatic winds regularly knock fit adults to the ground. The instructional activity compares the actual temperatures to the wind chill after factoring in katabatic winds in Beacon Valley. Scholars learn to calculate...
Curated OER
Fantastic Fossils
Students learn about the kinds of fossils and what scientists can learn from them. In this earth science lesson, students are told how engineers and paleontologists work together. Then students create a "fossil fondue" and...
Curated OER
The Basics of Earth Science
Students discuss and define the term "scientific theory." They work in small groups to draft an overview of one theory including details about the theory's evidence and significance.
Curated OER
Earth Day - Grow A Seed Garden
Young scholars discover how things grow and how they can take better care of the environment in this Earth Day lesson for the elementary classroom. The activity can be accomplished in one day and left in the sun until the "beans" begin...
Curated OER
The Origin of Life
In this origin of life worksheet, students write answers to five questions. They describe characteristics of the first life forms and how scientists believe oxygen accumulated in the Earth's atmosphere.
Curated OER
Earth's Biomes
Tenth graders examine characteristics and animals of terrestrial biomes. In this Earth's biomes lesson, 10th graders view a PowerPoint, take noes, sort pictures, research biomes, and create a diorama of a biome for presentation.
PHET
Planet Designer: Martian Makeover
Mars used to have liquid water, can you make it come back? Use the activity and simulation to understand why Mars lost its magnetic field, why atmosphere is important, and what gravity has to do with it. This is the third...
Curated OER
High School EcoHouse Curriculum
How has the level of carbon dioxide changed over recent years, and what is contributing it? Groups work together to research and present their findings in a creative way. Also built into the lesson is a visit to a sustainable house, but...
Curated OER
Layers of the Earth (Crust, Mantle, Inner and Outer Cores)
Students study the layers of the Earth. In this Earth's crust lesson students complete an activity, divide into groups and diagram and define given terms.
Curated OER
Culminating Alternative Energy Project
Students work in teams to complete an alternative energy project. In this alternative energy instructional activity, students are assigned a city and decide on the most appropriate alternative energy source for their city. Students use...
Curated OER
Earthquake Activity
Learners design and build a vehicle using Lego. In this earth science activity, students analyze the factors they need to consider when building their vehicles. They present their finished project in class.
Curated OER
Talking Trees: Earth Day
Students complete a tree poster activity to learn about Earth Day, stewardship, and the environment. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students read The Story of the Tree and discuss stewardship with trees. Students act out tree...
Maine Math & Science Alliance
Earth as a System
Ecosystem, human body system, weather system. We hear the word system a lot, but what does it really mean? In the activity, pairs or groups of learners discuss how a bicycle is a system and then analyze objects in their classroom and...