+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Mini World

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe, describe, and classify microorganisms found in water sources. In small groups, they make their own slide, observe the Protozoa under a microscope, and record and classify the microorganisms.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cell Study

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners (females) are introduced to the cell. They discuss what a cell is, and students define what a cell is. Learners comprehend that all living things are made up of cells. They comprehend that life is defined as something that...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phytoplankton and Ocean Color

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The City From the Ooze

For Teachers K - 9th
Learners investigate the life in the mud found around ponds. They create Ooze City using pond mud. Students investigate the various layers that form and what type of organisms are in the mud.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Into the Pond

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use a pond to explore macroinvertebrates and other organisms. They use a dichotomous key to classify the organisms and maintain a journal recording their findings.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Drop of Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars observe the wealth of living organisms in a drop of water from our freshwater ecosystems. They classify the types of organisms observed as single-celled or multi-cellular and use a key or chart to identify and name the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Protozoans

For Students 8th - 10th
In this protozoans worksheet, students observe pond water using a microscope to identify the four classes of single-celled organisms including sarcodines, ciliates, flagellates and sporozoans.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cell Structure and Function

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inquiry in Science Using an Animal Behavior Model

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...
+
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Students view...
+
PPT
Cmassengale

Bacteria: Structure and Function

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
For as small as they are, there sure is a lot of information for young scientists to learn about bacteria. Help simplify the subject with this instructional presentation that explores the structure, nutrition, and reproduction of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Naked to the Eye

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct a variety of experiments that enable them to investigate bacteria. They use microscopes, prepared slides, video, moldy bread and pond water to observe types of bacteria and how bacteria interacts with the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Streams and Ponds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect microorganisms, demonstrate correct laboratory/Gram stain procedure, and design and construct tables to organize data.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Odyssey of Life, Part II-The Unknown World

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students complete an experiment in which they observe different natural sample in which they uncover the microbial world. They complete a two part worksheet that accompanies the lesson.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Ecology Lab

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students determine the characteristics of a stream ecosystem and its organisms.  In this water ecology lesson plan students complete several labs that shows them presence of life, water appearance, and water flow.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore the time of the dinosaurs. In this extinction lesson plan, students watch a video clip about different dinosaurs and are asked about what they observed. Learners talk about how dinosaurs hatched from eggs and compare...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson plan students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore dinosaurs and their extinction. In this dinosaur lesson, students view dinosaur websites and videos to gain an understanding of the world long ago. Discussion questions follow. Students create a paper mache dinosaur egg.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Assessment

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders demonstrate the effects of varying environmental components on plants and animals: chemical, physical and biological characteristics of a habitat. They find chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the lake at...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protozoans

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine protozoans and their advantages and disadvantages.  In this chemistry lesson students explain what a protozoan is then draw and label one. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Young scholars use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbes on My Mind

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe and read about microorganisms so that they can create an information book on microorganisms.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does the Introduction of Pesticides and Fertilizers Alter an Aquatic Ecosystem?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners conduct an experiment using a small sample from a local water source. They introduce fertilizers and pesticides, separately, and carefully examine the results in their simulated aquatic ecosystem.