+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tides & Lunar Cycles

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students demonstrate how the moon affects the tides, a neap tide, and spring tides by using their bodies as models. After students observe the model they created, they draw and label the diagram on a provided worksheet. They then log...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Fun

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners observe cumulus clouds. For this weather lesson, students go outside to look at cumulus clouds and observe what the weather is like when they find these types of clouds. They create a cumulus cloud in an art project and complete...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the Sun Shine!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels (Part II), The Geology of Oil: Topographic Mapping, Crustal Deformation, Rock Porosity, and Environmental Pollution

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students review an interpretation of geologic history and relate it to the formation of oil deposits. They explore and explain factors controlling the porosity and permeability of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Pupils also interpret...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Shape is the Moon Tonight?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students understand that the moon appears differently throughout the month. In this phases of the moon lesson, students observe and record the phases of the moon.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analog Forecasting

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students recognize the elements of an analog weather forecast.  In this weather forecasting lesson, students use a website and look for trends, persistence and climatology in weather forecasting.  Students complete a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does the Loss of Ozone Affect Our Climate

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the greenhouse effect and what it does to the environment. They discuss if and how human behavior contributes to global warming and test natural materials for carbon content.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

soil, Water, and Plants

For Teachers K - 4th
Students examine the relationship between water retention and plant growth by conducting two experiments. They first compare the water retention qualities of clay, sand and loam soil types. Then they use the data from the first...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timeline of Extreme Weather Events

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students research and chart extreme weather events on a timeline. In this extreme weather lesson, students interview older people who have experienced extreme weather events. Students complete a worksheet based on the information of the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Temperature

For Teachers K - 4th
Students conduct an experiment using the steps of the scientific method. In this scientific method instructional activity, students experiment with temperature and record their findings using the scientific method. Students complete a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunspots

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine what a sunspot is and how it is produced.  In this sun lesson students locate and measure sunspots then view them through a camera.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lakes and Ponds

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students describe and recognize the difference between a lake and a pond. They name six ways in which a lake or pond can be formed. They describe the importance and act of evaporation on a waterway.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jackie Gore

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers identify the amount of heat given off by solar energy. In this solar energy lesson, students complete an experiment using soil and sand measuring the heat from solar energy.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Underground

For Teachers 1st
First graders build a terrarium in order to observe animal and plant life dynamics. In this biology lesson, 1st graders compare how organisms survive in different environments. They write their observations and analysis in their journal.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing Your Own Snow Crystals

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students grow snow crystals in your classroom with a few materials and a two-liter bottle!
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GPS Treasure Hunt for Knowledge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine themselves as being part of a global community. In this global community lesson, students investigate GPS systems. Middle schoolers gain knowledge on how the device works. Students discover that satellites...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is There Liquid Water on Mars?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students assess whether there is liquid water on Mars by analyzing images and data.  In this planetary lesson students analyze temperature and pressure graphs and hypothesize about how water could have flowed on Mars.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences between Climate and Weather

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students collect weather data over weeks, graph temperature data and compare the temperature data collected with averaged climate data where they live.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Trip To Outer Space: Planet Exchange

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine the different planets in outer space. Each class studies a different planet and creates a scavenger hunt for the other classes to explore that planet.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conservation in Costa Rica

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners brainstorm what they do that requires land use and use a worksheet to calculate their footprint (the total area of land and water required to produce all the resources they consume). They then compare their footprints to each...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Seedling Planting- My Relationship and Responsibility to our Forests

For Teachers 4th
In this trees lesson plan, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yellowstone Fires

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students assume the role of environmental biologists and help several government agencies resolve the debate surrounding "let it burn" policies in national parks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salinity

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners take a provided ocean Trivia Quiz in order to start a discussion of the ocean. They then perform an experiment on how the amount of salt in the ocean affects it and varies from ocean to ocean.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able to...