Curated OER
The Sonoran Desert
Little learners examine a map of the southwestern United States and identify the Sonoran Desert. They locate different cities and rivers, determining whether or not each is found within this special ecosystem. A student handout is...
Curated OER
Science: Not just Gold
Learners articulate a possible relationship between arsenic and gold deposits in a written statement using data to substantiate the relationship they describe. They use real data to determine the source of the arsenic in the drinking...
Curated OER
Wind
Students complete activities to study wind intensity. In this wind study lesson, students discuss wind speed and direction. Students then build a kite and windsock to help them study wind intensity. Students learn to use a wind meter for...
Curated OER
Rainy Day Hike
Students develop awareness about the water cycles. They identify the watershed in which their school is located. They explain the role the schoolyard plays in the watershed.
Curated OER
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Second graders watch a video about Eric Carle before listening to his story entitled, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They notice how the caterpillar eats its way through the days of the week and they examine the life cycle of the...
Curated OER
Trout Life-Cycle Booklet
Learners write books about trout, completing one page per life stage.
Curated OER
Geology Activities: Rock Making
Students create their own gems using a simple experiment and learning process in class.
Curated OER
Understanding the pH Cycle within the Aquarium
Students discuss places they have been where the air seemed hard to breathe. They discuss if they could "see" the humidity or smell. Students discuss ways this might relate to the fish in the aquarium. The teacher introduces pH and how...
Curated OER
Growing Tomatoes From Seed Activity
In this growing tomatoes worksheet, students plant tomato seeds in February, and follow their growth through the summer break. They observe and investigate the plant growth from seed to plant.
NOAA
The Dead Zone
The fifth installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program defines dead zones and how they form. Pupils then examine data from the Gulf of Mexico to determine dead zone formation.
Polar Trec
Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The lesson plan introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
Curated OER
Fresh Water From the Oceans?
Students participate in an activity in which they demonstrate how the evaporations of water from the oceans results in fresh water in the form of rain. They create a saltwater solution in a flask and boil the water until most of the...
Curated OER
Snow on Sea Ice
Students examine different samples of ice and predict the amount of snow that has fallen in a given year. Using a calculator, they graph the various thicknesses. They analyze the graphs to determine the relationship between the snow and...
Curated OER
I Need Some Help Here!
First graders describe what help seeds need to grow, including light, water, good soil, and warmth, observe and discuss what happens when seeds do not have help, and state similarities and differences among seed growth.
Curated OER
Ecosystems Beneath the Surface
Sixth graders create a KWL chart about microorganisms. In this biology lesson, 6th graders create and label a diagram on a microbial mat. They investigate the processes involved in the carbon, oxygen and sulfur cycles.
Curated OER
Raising Plants
Students investigate the life cycle of plants by growing their own in class. In this botany lesson, students practice using plant vocabulary while they grow their own Wisconsin Fast Plants. Students collaboratively build a light box...
Curated OER
The Salmon Stream and Vegetation
Students explore the ecosystem and food chain by researching Pacific Salmon. In this fish habitat lesson, students discover the life cycle for salmon, where they spawn and what they eat to survive the harsh elements. Students participate...
Curated OER
Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
Students play Lobster Bingo on a provided worksheet. This game demonstrates how human activities and natral events affect lobsters by impacting their food, clean water, and shelter of the reef.
Curated OER
Sumptuous Sprouting Seeds!
Third graders investigate the wonderful and wondrous world of plants. They examine the inside of a seed, explore the different parts of a seed, plant their own seeds, watch them sprout and then eat them! They describe, using their...
Curated OER
Beach Life: Spanish Banks Field Trip
Students discover beach life. In this beach life lesson, students visit a beach to find plant and animal species that live there. They discuss the life cycle and needs of some of these animals through a variety of activities.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Students view...
Curated OER
The Bending and Bouncing of Light
Students investigate refraction and reflection of light. In this light instructional activity, students perform 3 activities to observe light interacting with matter by using a flashlight. They explore refraction using a glass of water...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics
Students participate in a series of experiments to learn about plate tectonics and the different materials of the Earth. In this plate tectonics lesson plan, students use eggs, water, beakers, paper, and more materials to learn about the...
Curated OER
Yeast and Respiration
Students explore oxygen properties by conducting a cell experiment in class. In this respiration lesson, students discuss the process of breathing and how oxygen is inhaled before carbon dioxide is exhaled. Students utilize yeast, water,...