Curated OER
Trophic Ecology of Humans
students analyze the place of humans among the tropic levels by observing what we eat. They calculate the caloric content of several foods commonly eaten by humans and calculate the total energy cost to grow, process, transport, store...
Curated OER
Trophic Ecology of Humans
Students analyze the trophic level of humans by first calculating the kilocalories in own their lunch. They then calulate the kilocalories in a wide variety of foods found in grocery stores and compare the kilocalories needed to acquire...
Curated OER
What's Down the Well?
Students examine how environmental engineers determine possible sites for drinking water wells. They listen to a teacher led-lecture, and create their own groundwater well model using a coffee can and wire screening, observing how...
Curated OER
Mollusk Matching
Students look carefully at shells and observe the differences between
species and the names of common shells. Then they identify and complete a Mollusk Matching handout included in the lesson and write the letter of each shell in the...
Curated OER
Monstrous Mutations
Students investigate mutations and simulate their mutation while trying to collect food. In this mutations lesson plan, students pick an identified mutation out of a paper bag. They simulate their mutation while trying to collect food...
Curated OER
Can You See the Light?
Students investigate the transmission of light energy. For this light energy lesson, students observe bubbles using different colored filters and record their observations. They also look at a light source through various materials and...
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Design a Reef!
Students explore coral reef ecosystems. In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform. Students construct a miniature coral reef...
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Build a Hawaiian Bird
Fifth graders make a model of a bird. For this animal adaptations lesson, 5th graders examine how birds adapt to their environment, using Hawaiian birds as an example. Students create their own bird using adaptation paper cut outs then...
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Water Microbes and Human Health
Students research the possible sources and human health effects of microbes found in recreational and drinking water. They explore the range of negative outcomes of contact with contaminated recreational and drinking water by creating...
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Ethics Activity: Issue Analysis
Students analyze environmental health issues with respect to the players, their positions, and associated values, after being introduced to the concepts of events, problems, and issues. They apply the skills of issue analysis to...
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High Five Burger
Fifth graders investigate agricultural sources. In this agricultural instructional activity, 5th graders read the book Have a Hamburger and See the U.S.A. and record each component of a hamburger. Students use a map of the U.S.A. to...
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Amazing Alligators
Students uncover facts about the alligator: including but not limited to habitat, characteristics, food, traits, habits, offspring and interesting facts.
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Lemon Batteries Revised
Fifth graders investigate how chemical energy in food and batteries is potential or stored energy. They discuss how batteries function, and create a class list of different forms of energy. Students then create a lemon battery that...
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Ocean Exploration
Students explore whales. In this animal adaptation and whale instructional activity, students access prior knowledge about whales from previous lessons, then use background knowledge to predict the eating strategies of a baleen whale and...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Digestive System
Fourth graders simulate how the digestive system works. In this hands-on simulation, 4th graders complete six group activities that help students visualize how our body breaks down food into nutrients.
Curated OER
Ultraviolet Reflections
In this environment worksheet, learners distinguish between UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C radiation and explain. Then they list various explanations of the source of ozone depletion. Students also describe why an increase in smog ozone does not...
Curated OER
Oil on the Beach
Students explore how oil pollutes the oceans. For this science lesson, students investigate various materials that could be used to clean up an oil spill. Students discuss which materials worked best and how humans can reduce oil spills.
Curated OER
Chocolate Asphalt Cookies
Learners make no-bake cookies to learn basic engineering principles, road construction and material science. They experience properties and changes in matter.
Curated OER
Operating Kitchen Equipment
Students spend this lesson discovering how electricity makes the appliances in their kitchen operate. In groups, they explain how energy is being converted in a microwave oven and practice giving others directions to how to use them. ...
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Ants in the Wild
Students investigate ants in the wild. In this insect lesson, students observe ant colonies and conduct experiments, such as putting food in the ants' path. Students record their observations.
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Eating Through the Metric System
Seventh graders convert measurements in recipes to metric measurements and prepare the food items. They create a metric measurement cookbook.
Curated OER
Watershed Lesson Plan
Students are introduced to the concepts of a watershed, stream flow and water quality. This five-day plan is an excellent way to introduce students to the concepts involved. They create their own watershed using a paper bag, water and...
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Photosynthesis
Learners conduct a variety of experiments on photosynthesis. In this biology activity, students identify the factors required for the process to occur. They perform computerized experiments to test the amount of oxygen produced when...
Curated OER
Chocolate Chipping Away at the Rock Cycle
Eighth graders identify the different types of rocks. In this earth science instructional activity, 8th graders compare and contrast rocks and chocolate cookies. They explain how materials are recycled beneath the Earth.