Curated OER
Examining Pond Life
Students collect and examine microscopic life from a local pond. In this biology lesson plan, students examine local pond water, searching for protozoa, with the use of a microscope. Students identify the various life forms in their...
Curated OER
Powerful Potato
Third graders make food. In this agriculture lesson, 3rd graders learn about the history of the potato. Students then plant potatoes, harvest them, and make french fries, potato salad or potato soup.
Curated OER
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Dominant and Recessive Traits from Parent to Offspring
Fifth graders understand the meaning of dominant and recessive. In this dominant and recessive traits lesson, 5th graders participate in a game and record results on a chart. Students relate experiment to genes. Students describe plants...
Curated OER
Utah Weather
Fourth graders diagram the weather in Utah through the use of a glyph. In this Utah weather lesson plan, 4th graders create weather glyphs of different areas in the state. Students answer questions about the weather and then compare...
Curated OER
Baa, Ram, Ewe....Sheep Tales
Students compare real and make believe animal behaviors by drawing and comparing them. In this real and make believe animals lesson plan, students compare the animal behaviors, express how colors create a mood in artwork, and investigate...
Curated OER
Cricket Wars
Students investigate crickets in their habitat. For this insect lesson, students create a cricket habitat by using a glass jar with grass clippings and cloth. Students observe how crickets interact with each other and their eating habits.
Curated OER
Flower Pot Salad Bar
Students discuss the connection between a flower pot and wholesome food by creating a salad. In this healthy eating instructional activity, students utilize numerous fresh vegetables to create a classic salad in a flower pot. Students...
Curated OER
Bovine Oversteps Boundaries
Sixth graders read about Grady, the Silo Cow and analyze the parts of a news story. In this news article lesson, 6th graders discuss writing for different purposes. Students discover the characteristics of a strong headline. Students...
Curated OER
Waves Interference
Students identify different wave types and their characteristics. In this wave instructional activity students complete activities by activating tuning forks and interpreting data.
Curated OER
Our Keystone FFA Spring
Students identify where their water sources and explore a watershed on a map. In this watershed lesson students walk a wetland, and identify sources of pollution.
Curated OER
Disassemble a Click Pen
Students dissamble and analyze the spring system of a click pen. They analyze a cross-section worksheet, dissamble the pens, fill in the missing parts of the cross-section diagram, and write a description of how the pen works.
Curated OER
Maisy's Nature Walks
Students participate in an interactive story lesson plan. They listen to a reading of Lucy Cousins, Maisy's Nature Walk, before completing post-reading activities. They examine the illustrations, discuss nature walks, and complete...
Curated OER
Plants
Sixth graders examine how plants collect water and breathe. In groups, they participate in a variety of activities in which they discover how plants operate in terrariums. To end the instructional activity, they discuss why plants are...
Curated OER
Mass, Volume, and Weight
Students explore mass, volume, and weight. In this science and measurement lesson, students compare volume, mass, and weight after listening to the teacher's description of each. Students explore different scales and balances and...
It's About Time
Making Waves
Young scientists use Slinkys to better understand waves. After creating and measuring many aspects of waves, they complete a handout and homework questions. The resource also introduces the final project for the chapter, though it does...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Impact of the Sun and Moon on Tides
In 150 BC, Seleucus of Seleucia theorized that the moon causes the tides. Scholars learn about what causes tides by studying the interactions of gravity between the sun, moon, and Earth. They use technology to formalize otherwise...
Curated OER
Exploring Seasonal Shadows and Sunlight
What can shadows tell us about the changing season? Over several months, astronomy learners record length and position of an outdoor object's shadow, such as a flagpole. They apply the data to a growing hypothesis and note the patterns...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Water from the Well
How much water does it take to brush your teeth? How about to wash your clothes? Perform an experiment that measures water usage in everyday tasks and compares them to the days before indoor plumbing, specifically the California gold...
EnLiST
Trap Your Own Insects: What’s in Your Backyard?
Young entomologists construct three types of insect traps—pitfall, pollinator, and panel—before setting their traps out and observing what they caught. They then observe what types of insects the different traps attract.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Alphas, Betas and Gammas Oh, My!
Referring to the periodic table of elements, nuclear physics learners determine the resulting elements of alpha and beta decay. Answers are given in atomic notation, showing the atomic symbol, mass, atomic number, and emission particles....
LABScI
Acoustics: The Sound Lab
If the delay between a sound and its echo is less than 1/10th of a second, the human ear can’t distinguish it. Through the use of a Slinky, rubber band guitar, and straws, scholars explore where sound comes from and how it travels. Whole...
LABScI
Potential and Kinetic Energy: The Roller Coaster Lab
Ron Toomer, a famous roller coaster designer, suffered from motion sickness. Pupils design their own roller coasters, learning about potential and kinetic energy in the process. Labs focus on the importance of drop height, energy...
Intel
Using Electricity on the Job
Learners explore electricity, discussing its importance and researching different ways in which electricity can be generated. Groups present their findings to the class and then create publicity materials which promote and educate about...
University of Wisconsin
Rain Garden Species Selection
The activity really comes to life within its intended unit on starting a rain garden. Working in groups, participants research native plants and coordinate them with the conditions in the designated garden area. Give the class access to...