PHET
The Earth as a Magnet
Everyone loves playing with magnets and iron filings. Here, young scientists first observe and then participate in an activity demonstrating magnetic fields. After completing their observations, they apply this knowledge to...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Tree Rings: Living Records of Climate
Open with a discussion on weather and climate and then explain how tree rings can provide scientists with information about the earth's past climate. Pupils analyze graphics of simulated tree rings from various US locations for the...
Curated OER
Winter Play Pack
Uncover the magic of winter using this winter play pack. Fold it into a book for learners to work through as they explore wildlife during the cold months. They create winter ice art, go on a scavenger hunt for various plants and animals,...
Teach Engineering
Adapatations for Bird Flight - Inspiration for Aeronautical Engineering
It's a bird, it's a ... device made to mimic birds. The eighth installment of a nine-part module has pupils read various articles to learn about bird flight. They consider the implications for aeronautical engineering.
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
DNA is like the fingerprint of genetics. A quick lesson introduces the topic of DNA sequences with a mystery about an endangered species. The lesson shows how DNA extraction, replication, and sequencing often provide undeniable evidence...
NOAA
El Niño
El Nino, La Nina ... and the Santa Maria? The 11th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program explains the mechanism of El Nino/Southern Oscillation. Pupils use previous data to determine...
Curated OER
Feeling the Heat
Pupils record temperatures at different locations around campus. They examine the results and draw conclusions about how materials and colors affect the amount of heat produced. They also analyze Los Angeles' temperature records over a...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Zebrafish and Skin Color
You may not know if that zebrafish in your fish tank is a model citizen—but it is definitely a model organism! What can we learn about ourselves from a tiny zebrafish? Discover more about the polygenic trait of skin color through a...
Curated OER
Two Rivers Ran Through It
Sixth graders discover the problems that early Mesototamian farmers faced while developing agriculture in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They design a working model that solves those unique challenges.
Curated OER
Genes within Populations
Finally, here is a genetics activity that does not include Punnett squares! Designed for a more advanced class, biology learners will compare Lamarck's concept of evolution with Darwin's. They will explore the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium...
Curated OER
Air and Weather
Second graders study Earth's materials. In this air and weather lesson plan, 2nd graders note changes in the weather and examine tools that help us study the weather. Students analyze how changes in the environment make changes in the...
Curated OER
Cloudy With a Chance of...
Second graders will write a story. In this writing and meteorology lesson, 2nd graders read the story Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, then use KidPix to create a weather picture. The picture is imported into a word processor and the...
Curated OER
Evolution Lab
Students examine the pattern of natural variation in a society. They examine Darwin's theory of evolution and analyze data. They use computer programs to graphically display the variation in organisms.
Curated OER
Camouflage
Students observe first hand what it is like to be the prey and what he or she must do to blend in and make themselves less noticeable. They participate in a variety of hands-on activities which help them explain how insects hide...
Curated OER
Flying Wing
Fifth graders create a flying wing from a pastry tray. In this flying wing lesson plan, 5th graders understand how the shape of the wind affects flight. Students compare the flying wing to the zanonia seed in nature. Students make...
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Rockin' Rock Cycle: Metamorphic Rocks
Students study the formation of metamorphic rock. For this metamorphic rock lesson, students examine how metamorphic rock forms as part of the rock cycle. They review the rock cycle using chocolate chips, conduct Internet research, and...
Curated OER
Matter and Energy
Students explore energy by completing a science worksheet in class. In this principles of matter lesson, students define the vocabulary terms force, gravity, nuclear, and electromagnetic before reading assigned text about energy....
Curated OER
How Many Cells Are Born in a Day?
Students predict the number of cells after a series of cell divisions. For this cells lesson students create a graph of their results and create a patterned drawing.
Curated OER
Fractals Forever or Obvious and Hidden Order
Students discuss ways computers use properties of similar figures to generate scale models and create scenes. they describe patterns they have seen on a fern, pineapple, or pinecone. Students research Benoit mandebrot, H. von Koch and...
Curated OER
The Nature of Disease
In this diseases worksheet, students will learn about infectious diseases including what causes a diseases and how they are spread. Students will also review symptoms of disease, patterns of diseases, and treating diseases. This...
Curated OER
Winds of Change
Learners investigate extreme weather patterns. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to study hurricanes and their causes. Learners write reports on their findings.
Curated OER
What in Our World Affects the Way People Live
Sixth graders study various maps that show geographical features and population. They compare the maps and make inferences about how various geographical features influence the population and human activities of an area.
Curated OER
Types of Behavior: Animal Behavior Research
How does one determine what influences animal behavior; Is it nature or nurture? After a short reading explaining different types of conditioning and other learned behaviors, scholars examine six scenarios to determine whether the...
Science-Class.net
Rock Candy Crystals
Candy is one of my favorite words, and it's an even better word when it relates to science. Yes, candy science can happen when you grow rock candy crystals with your class. The entire process for growing these edible wonders of nature is...