Curated OER
Photosynthesis
High schoolers explore the concept of photosynthesis. They describe the light and light independent reactions of photosynthesis. Students relate physical plant characteristics to their functions. They distinguish between C3, C4, and CAM...
Curated OER
Science Processes
Fifth graders observe a dry piece of bread and a damp piece of bread in two separate sealed bags that have been sitting for several days that have been labeled. The observe the mold with a hand lens and record findings in their science...
Curated OER
How Plants Help Us Breathe
Third graders discuss how humans breathe and how plants help us to stay alive. In groups, they identify and label the different parts of plants and describe their functions. They compare and contrast the ways plants and animals breathe...
Curated OER
Ecology 5 - Carbon and Oxygen Cycles
Students construct their own diagrams outlining the pathway of carbon and oxygen in our atmosphere. They listen to a lecture on the carbon cycle while drawing an example of the carbon cycle on the board. Students comprehend that CO2 is...
Curated OER
An Environmental Puzzle: The Carbon Cycle
Young scholars are introducced to how respiration and photosysnthesis cycle carbon through ecosystems. They read background information that describes the role of the Sun as Earth's ultimate energy source and explains how the energy...
Curated OER
Let There Be Light
Students plant seeds and learn about photosynthesis. In this photosynthesis lesson plan, students plant watercress seeds, cut a design into cardboard and cover the seedlings with the cardboard. Students observe as the seeds in the...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Learners explore coral reef ecosystems. In this ecosystems science instructional activity, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform. Learners construct a...
Curated OER
Hot Food
Young scholars compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis as processes that provide energy to biological communities. They investigate the energy content of hydrocarbons used in coral communities.
Curated OER
Rice Farming
Third graders investigate how farmers get more rice from their land. In this farming instructional activity, 3rd graders discover things that farmers to do produce more rice. Students study photosynthesis and illustrate pictures about...
NOAA
Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Chemosynthesis for the Classroom
Photosynthesis was discovered in the 1770s, but chemosynthesis wasn't discovered until 1977. While many have performed an experiment to show how photosynthesis works, the activity allows pupils to observe chemosynthesis. Scholars set up...
Curated OER
Candy Chemosynthesis
Students explain chemosynthesis and photosynthesis using candy. For this chemosynthesis lesson, students work cooperatively to create a visual explanation of the chemical equations of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.
Curated OER
Photosynthetic Pictures--Are Worth More Than a Thousand Words
Students observe and examine how carbon dioxide, water, and light produce glucose/starch through a process called photosynthesis.
NASA
The Cycle of Matter
An educational instructional activity focuses on the idea of conservation of matter through a demonstration of the water cycle, a discussion of digesting food, and the path of carbon and oxygen atoms as they change form.
Curated OER
Science: Leaf Study
First graders go on a leaf-hunting expedition around the schoolyard. They determine from which trees they fell using identification cards. Students read several books about leaves and apply their artistic skills by using the collected...
Curated OER
Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?
Students examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to several...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis: Light-dependent and Calvin cycle
Students recognize the concepts of the light-dependent and the Calvin cycles. They draw diagrams of the light-dependent reaction and the Calvin cycle. In addition, they investigate the effects of light on carbohydrate content in leaves.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis and Plant Reproduction
Students explain the process of photosynthesis. In this biology lesson, students label the different reproductive parts of the flowers. They watch a short video then identify the leaf parts on the board.
Curated OER
It's Okay to Exhale: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Students will observe the differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Then they observe the links due to climate changes and relate how climate change affects their lives.
Curated OER
Mussel Your Way Through Photosynthesis
Students, using zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), elodea and an indicator dye, observe and record the role of light in photosynthesis. They consider plant production of carbon dioxide and the use of live materials in biological...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis: An enlightening experience
Students observe the effect of light on plants. They illustrate the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the plant. Students see that plants are part of many natural cycles. They investigate how green plants use the sun's energy...
Curated OER
Biological Sciences
Students examine biodiversity and interrelatedness concepts. For this ecology lesson students go on a field trip and fill out a data sheet.
Curated OER
Where Do Plants Get Their Food?
Plants need food to survive, just like any other living organism. Young biologists analyze an experiment performed in 1610 by Jan van Helmont to determine if plant nutrition is obtained through the soil. First, lab groups work together...
Curated OER
Case Study of Local Trends in the Carbon Cycle
Students examine the relationship between chlorophyll and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In this investigative lesson students study the local effects of climate change.
Rainforest Alliance
The Carbon Cycle
Scholars learn about the carbon cycle, play a carbon cycle game, and then write a story based on their role as a carbon atom during the game. After the writings, pupils analyze the carbon cycle by leading a class discussion on the material.