Curated OER
Pseudogene Suite
Students use Biology Workbench to explore DNA sequence data for the GULOP gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques and the beta globin gene and its pseduogene in humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
Curated OER
Leonardo's Machines
Middle schoolers explore Leonardo da Vinci's ideas about design and machines.
Curated OER
What Lives Inside Your Mouth?
Students explore the mouth's environment and realize that there are bacteria in everyone's mouth.
Curated OER
Have You Ever Seen a Sea Monkey?
Fourth graders observe brine shrimp over several days. They create drawings showing the growth and development of the shrimp. They research web sites to find out where brine shrimp fit on the food chain and what makes the shrimp unique.
Curated OER
Understanding Cause and Effect using A Sound of Thunder
High schoolers listen to a short story, A Sound of Thunder, and retell parts of the story which is about time travel. They respond to the story by writing cause/effect outcomes about the ecosystem using a handout.
Curated OER
Water Pollution, Stream Ecosystems
Learners participate in a series of simulated activities designed to demonstrate the interconnectedness between the environment and the organisms that live there. They explore how polluting one element of an environment affects the...
Curated OER
Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Students identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the activity.
Curated OER
Wildlife Study Comparison
Students compare/contrast two studies that examine the effects of environmental contaminants on animals. They read an article, identify the components of a research study, summarize the article, and complete a matrix.
Curated OER
Lesson #5: Symbiosis and Coral Anatomy
Fifth graders examine the basic structure of corals and the concept of symbiosis. They watch a Powerpoint Presentation, develop an original pair of organisms living symbiotically, and create an edible model of a coral polyp.
Curated OER
Prey or Pray? Could YOU Escape a Cheetah?
Tenth graders estimate the size of an adult cheetah by research and measurement of a picture. They determine the approximate distance and speed of the cheetah from a filmed chase and compare that to their own running speed.
Curated OER
Biome-Ecology Unit with a "Design a Zoo" Extension
Learners participate in a three part unit about biomes. Part one, students research the biomes of North America and part two consists of research on zoos and a field trip to a zoo. While part three ties together the first two when...
Curated OER
Amazon Rainforest
Seventh graders complete a simulation in which they travel through the Amazon rainforest. Using their map skills, they determine the best route and where to see specific plants and animals. They develop their own database to organize...
Curated OER
One Square Meter
Young scholars explore the concept of a quadrat study. Students select and investigate a site and conduct a quadrat survey. They take measurements, observe the area and analyze their findings.
Orange County Department of Education
Nights of the Pufflings
Third graders read the story to identify the problem and solution that occurs in Night of the Pufflings. They identify problems within the story that are solved through the characters' responsible actions. Students describe in their...
Curated OER
Where The Wild Things Are
Twelfth graders brainstorm where they think wild things exist. Then using the same strategy they discuss natural surroundings from using prior life experience. This part of the lesson can also be done with using a nature hike. Students...
Curated OER
My Biotic Creation
Eighth graders explore different ecosystems. In this ecosystem survival lesson conditions lesson students create their own fictional creature.
Curated OER
Centipede or Millipede?
Students discuss millipedes and centipedes in terms of their classification as arthropod. Using a diagram, students categorize and compare and contrast the characteristics of millipedes and centipedes based on their discussion of...
Curated OER
What Lives in Water: Pre and Post Activities
In this multiple choice worksheet, learners answer questions about fish and how fish live. After visiting the aquarium, students chart the different creatures they see during their visit and solve mathematical equations of their findings.
Curated OER
Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
PBS
Righteous Reptiles
Young scientists write and draw about their knowledge of reptiles. They also view a nature video focusing on lizards and snakes, complete a chart comparing and contrasting them. Next, they focus on the defense mechanisms that they...
Curated OER
Ardipithecus ramidus: A Prehistory Lesson Plan
Students discover details about the genus Ardipithecus. In this prehistory instructional activity, students listen to a lecture about the attributes of Ardipithecus. Students then conduct further research on either Ardipithecus ramidus...
Curated OER
Seed Plants: Gymnosperms
Students identify what makes up a seed. In this gymnosperms lesson students identify conifers and explain how they reproduce and what the importance of gymnosperms are.
Curated OER
Tree Leaves: Determining the Characteristics They Share in Common
High schoolers use their basic knowledge of dendrology concepts and terms. In this tree leaf instructional activity students divide into groups and determine which characteristics go with what plant.
Curated OER
Getting to Know Some of Pennsylvania's Fishes
Students research and identify the fish of Pennsylvania. In this earth science lesson, students view ten photos of fish and identify the characteristics of each fish. Students record observations and practice naming the fish using their...