Curated OER
Mineral Matters
Young scholars work in a team to use the ProScope Digital USB Microscope and a computer to collect microscopic images from a variety of mineral specimens. They compare specimens and determine how they are alike and different by comparing...
Curated OER
Petrology in the Gravel Pit
Learners are introduced to a wide range of rock types when they examine pebbles and boulders exposed in a gravel pit. Students practice rock description and identification and categorize the rocks sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic.
Curated OER
MatchCard Science
In this geology exploration worksheet, learners complete a comparison chart of minerals and rocks that the teacher provides. Sample answers and alternate activities are provided on a second page.
Curated OER
Science: Rock On!
Fourth graders explore the traits of rocks and minerals in their local area. After creating a rock and mineral legend, they color maps based on their legends. Once students examine rock and mineral specimens, they draw pictures of them.
Curated OER
Rockin' Around New Jersey
Students use reference materials to discover which specimens are igneous or metamorphic. Students answer the questions on the provided sheets. Students identify the average differences in elevation of the regions of New Jersey. Students...
Curated OER
Put It to the Test
Students identify different types of rock and sediments and how they react to acid through experimentation. Students use knowledge gained in thr experiment to identify types of rocks. Students create data tables for accuracy and clarity...
Curated OER
Science: Fossil of a Carbonized Plant
Young scholars classify leaves by shape and margins and use them to create models of plant fossils. By using paper over a leaf, they simulate fossilization of organisms onto sedimentary rocks. Following instructions on worksheets,...
Curated OER
Crystals
Students investigate patterns in solids, the structures of crystals and rocks made up of minerals. In this crystals lesson plan, students review solids, make patterns with Styrofoam balls, make crystals in the lab and observe their...
Curated OER
Earth's Age: The Dating Game
Students conduct a simulation to determine radioactive decay and half-life. Using pennies, dice or sugar cubes as isotopes placed in shoe boxes simulating rocks, they hold five trials representing 1000 years each to find the theoretical...
Curated OER
Making Predictions
Students collect and classify items. In this making predictions lesson, students go outside and collect specimens of plants, insects and minerals. They classify each item and place them in a Venn Diagram. Students compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Determining the Age of Fossils
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating instructional activity, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
Curated OER
An Introduction to 'Opae 'ula
Students examine the 'opae 'ula. For this science lesson, students observe a live specimen and identify the major body parts. Students construct habitat jars and observe the 'opae 'ula behaviors.
Curated OER
Developing a Local Stratigraphy
Students examine rock strata for the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rock. They describe rock types in a variety of outcrops and construct a regional stratigraphy.
Curated OER
Collecting Fossils
In this fossils activity, students will read about the hobby of fossil collecting and the tools needed for collecting fossils. Students will complete 3 short answer questions based on their reading.
Curated OER
Energy Resources: Where Are They and How Do We Get Them?
Future energy engineers visit several stations, each one dedicated to a different alternative source of energy. They describe how solar energy is converted into other forms of energy, the patterns of distribution of energy resources in...
Curated OER
From Curiosity Cabinet to Museum Collection
Students study binomial nomenclature and museum-based research. They create a curiosity box, label the objects in their curiosity box , develop a classification scheme for the objects, and create a database of all objects collected by...
Curated OER
PASSENGER PIGEONS: NOMADS LOST
Students explore the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the Passenger Pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans.
Curated OER
Letter from Leonardo da Vinci to Sforza
Expose your class to words directly from Leonardo da Vinci with this primary source document. Learners analyze the document, a letter from Leonardo da Vinci to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, and respond to 3 short answer questions....
Curated OER
Living or Non-Living
Students examine living and non-living things. In this life science activity, students are given a group of objects and discuss if they are living or non-living. Students identify and list characteristics of living things.
Curated OER
This Can't be a Plant
Young scholars grow mold. In this science experiment instructional activity, students grow mold on different pieces of bread by adjusting the moisture, temperature, and light. They record the results to see which grows the most mold.
Curated OER
Stream Study
Young scholars study the characteristics of a stream habitat. In this life science lesson plan, students use sieves, nets, and jars to collect aquatic organisms. Young scholars also measure the temperature of the stream and calculate the...
Curated OER
A Couch or a Potato
Students classify objects and organisms seen on the Wakulla Springs icam website as living or nonliving.
Curated OER
Nature's Polyhedrons
High schoolers discover the characteristics of polyhedra. Through hands-on activities and interactive videos, students investigate and retrieve information on polyhedra and crystal structures. High schoolers study angles and symmetry....
Curated OER
The Fossil Hunt
Students recall prior knowledge of the process of fossilization. In this fossils lesson, students first create and at a later date, recover fossils. Students understand the painstaking process of recovering a fossil. Students recover and...