Curated OER
Nitrogen Fixation, OR What a Gas!
High schoolers gain skill in the design, implementation, and reporting of a scientific research project using the scientific method. They set up an experiment to determine the effect of adding the Rhizobium bacteria to one group of...
Curated OER
Bacteria: Friend or Foe?
Young scholars examine a variety of environmental and industrial roles of bacteria. explore where bacteria can be found and distinguish bacteria from other organisms.
Curated OER
Bats and Hot Dogs
Students identify patterns and relationships from data that is collected and solve variables. In this investigative lesson students study ocean productivity, the nitrogen cycle and phytoplankton then answer questions.
Curated OER
Introduction To Brine Shrimp
Fourth graders engage in a variety of activities in order to find information about the brine shrimp. The lesson includes background information for the teacher to deliver instruction. They make observations of the shrimp in different...
WK Kellogg Biological Station
N2O: It’s No Laughing Matter!
While the layout of the lesson plan is not very detailed and the link to the PowerPoint is no longer valid, there are some great exercises to examine the role of nitrous oxide in the environment. For middle level learners, the resource...
Curated OER
The Marvels of Mud
Young scientists roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty in this three-day earth science investigation. Following the scientific method, children monitor the growth of algae in pond water samples in order to determine the role that...
Curated OER
Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
Pupils participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. They...
It's About Time
Environmental Impacts and Energy Consumption
As scientists prove environmental impacts of using coal as an energy resource, do you think Santa regrets giving out so much of it? Through a demonstration of acid rain, pupils learn what makes it, where it occurs, the impact of it, and...
Virginia Department of Education
Go with the Flow
How does nature's hierarchy relate to our local human environment? Answer this question, along with others, as the class visually depicts the natural hierarchy provided by nature. Pupils discuss each piece of the pyramid and its energy...
Curated OER
Microbes in Long Island Sound
Students discover the harm and benefits of microbes. In this biology lesson, students explore water, nitrogen and carbon cycles. They investigate the factors affecting bacteria growth.
Curated OER
Composting
In this recognizing items that can be composted worksheet, students identify organic items that can be composted, write items that can be composted for each of the letters in the word compost, and make a list of vegetables and fruits....
Curated OER
Latent Heat and Clouds
Learners explore latent heat and how it relates to clouds in the atmosphere. In this earth science lesson students investigate how clouds are formed. Learners examine clouds and the water cycle.
Curated OER
Fossil Fuels, Who Needs Them
Ninth graders explore how electricity is created and distributed through alternative production methods. Students participate in hands-on activities, research, lecture based instruction, and CD ROM resources.
Curated OER
Go With the Energy Flow
Students explore energy and nutrient flow. In this science lesson, students diagram the flow of energy through food chains and food webs. Students discuss the importance of energy flow in Earth's ecosystems.
Curated OER
Cause And Effects Of Pollutants In Ecosystems
Eighth graders define what an ecosystem is, what its make up is and how pollution effects it. In this air pollution lesson students identify the cause and effects of pollution on an ecosystem and trace a food chain.
Curated OER
Testing Soils for Garden Planting
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
Curated OER
Spring Awakenings
Young scholars observe changes in a selected tree bud/leaf during spring. They record changes in the bud/leaf using words, pictures and numbers. They understand that trees adapt to changes in temperature, light, and moisture by sprouting...
Curated OER
Global Warming – More or Less
Eighth graders identify the factors that contribute to global warming. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders evaluate the impact of global warming on the planet. They discuss their views within the group.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen, one of the most abundant elements in the universe, is essential to life. This interactive activity adapted from the University of Alberta provides an overview of the nitrogen cycle. Includes background reading handout and...
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Nitrogen Cycle Game
Learners play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and the relevance of nitrogen to living things.
Nature Research
Nature: The Nitrogen Cycle: Processes, Players, and Human Impact
Find out how nitrogen is cycled throughout the biosphere as it passes through the nitrogen cycle. Learn about the biotic and abiotic factors involved in the process as well as the implications of human activity on the nitrogen cycle.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Illinois State Water Survey: Nitrogen Cycle: Human Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle
An overview of the impact of human activities on the environment and how those actions effect the nitrogen cycle.
University of Missouri
Microbes in Action: "There's Something Fishy": The Nitrogen Cycle
An opportunity for students to experience the nitrogen cycle through observing daily changes in an aquarium. Students test the level of three nitrogen compounds to understand the process of nitrification. Lesson plan gives a lab...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Traveling Nitrogen
Students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and how nitrogen is relevant to living things.