Natural Science Teacher Resources

Natural science focuses on the phenomena of the natural world, whether it be through the eyes of a chemist, physicist, astronomer, or biologist. The beauty—and difficulty—of designing curriculum for natural science is how wide ranging the field itself can be. Luckily, Lesson Planet has just what you need for a perfectly applicable natural science activity!

Elementary learners will love participating in an introductory scavenger hunt for specific items in nature. Select an activity from a packet of practical natural science activities, including observation of the buoyancy in a cereal bowl and the distribution of ink in newspaper pictures.

For older students, a video on the history of earth science is a great place to start, or check out another video on how animal viruses can affect humans. Teach about natural selection as it relates to Darwin’s finches, or use an activity about the genes involved in particular types of cancer. Young astronomers can create a model of the moon’s rotation around the Earth, as well as the Earth’s rotation around the sun.

Our teacher team knows that you’d rather spend more time in the lab and less time in the planning book, so we’ve reviewed even more resources for every grade and skill level. Browse the lessons, activities, videos, and worksheets below for the perfect natural science unit!

Showing 24,136 resources
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PPT
Mr. E. Science

Chemical Reactions

For Students 7th - 8th Standards
Once I told a chemistry joke, but there was no reaction. Get young chemists involved in changes and reactions with a presentation that begins with physical and chemical changes and chemical reactions. It moves on to chemical equations...
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Handout
Chapman University

The Standard Model Poster

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Chemistry classes will appreciate this color-coded, single-page reference sheet for The Standard Model of particle physics. It is divided into two main sections: elementary particles and compound particles, both with their antiparticles....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Cloud in a Bottle

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Meteorology or earth science classes reach for the sky with this lesson plan! You will need to purchase a Fizz Keeper® device and temperature strip for each lab group if you want them to perform this as an activity rather than you doing...
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Activity
Star Date

Astronomy Day from McDonald Observatory Solar System Scale Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Add a visual aid to your solar system lessons. Enthusiastic astronomers create a model depicting the nine planets and their distance from the sun. 
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Unit Plan
NASA

Introduction to Astronomy

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Welcome to your new job as an astrophysicist, astrobiologist, engineer, or research scientist at NASA. Your job is to search for alien life in our solar system! Throughout a unit of activities, learners search the galaxy through...
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Instructional Video7:00
Nobel Media AB

Chemistry Matters: The Life of a Chemist

For Students 9th - 12th
Are scientists really the stereotypical, crazy-haired, self-isolated characters depicted in movies? Far from it! They are a group of different types of personalities with a variety of interests who collaborate on projects and together...
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Instructional Video4:50
SciShow

The Chemistry of Fried Food

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Foods are fried in oils, which are basically a fat that is a liquid at room temperature. Another great video about the chemical reactions in cooking, this one explores frying food. The narrator explains that from the appearance of...
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Instructional Video8:47
SciShow

9 Scientific Cooking Techniques

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Liquid nitrogen makes microscopic ice crystals, which make for a creamier food product than normal freezing. A gastronomical video explores nine different cooking techniques that are scientifically based. From food pairing to using...
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Instructional Video1:33
Fuse School

Green Chemistry - Principle 2

For Students 9th - 12th
Less waste just makes more sense! Young environmental chemists examine one of the key best practices in the production of prescription drugs. Basing reactions on chirality and optimizing conditions, pharmaceutical companies can create...
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Instructional Video1:56
Fuse School

Green Chemistry - Principle 11

For Students 9th - 12th
How do chemists reach 100% efficiency in a reaction? And, why is efficiency so important? Young chemists answer this question and learn how, by using catalysts that can maximize yield and reduce waste. 
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PPT
Curated OER

Asexual Reproduction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Even though this presentation was designed to supplement a specific textbook chapter, the content is easily adapted to any high school biology course. It introduces asexual reproduction and explains six different types: mitosis, binary...
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PPT
Biology Corner

Meiosis

For Students 9th - 12th
Does day one of meiosis in your biology classroom make you wanna split? Get the class off to a great start using this attractive and thoughtfully worded slideshow. In addition to explaining what happens during each step of meiosis,...
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Activity
Parkwood Hill Intermediate

Map Skills Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Young pupils develop their mapping skills and knowledge by designing their own islands, using geographic terms and physical features they have learned as features of their work.
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AP Test Prep10:57
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Flipping Physics

AP Physics 1: Dynamics Review (Newton's 3 Laws and Friction)

For Students 11th - 12th
Looking for tips to help future physicists ace that AP test? Check out this fast-paced dynamics review of Newton's 3 Laws and of friction.
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Instructional Video5:27
SciShow

3 Physics Experiments That Changed the World

For Students 9th - 12th
This video highlights three experiments that change the way people think about the world. First up, scientists measure gravity. Next, it discusses the debate surrounding whether light is a wave or a particle. Finally, the atomic model...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Learners define outer space words.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Night Sky Observation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars explore space science by completing an observational worksheet. For this astronomy lesson, students view several worksheets in which young scholars identify minor changes between separate images in preparation for real...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Sugar

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this chemical and physical change worksheet, students use a sugar cube and observe its physical properties both when it is whole and after it is crushed. They heat the sugar cube and record 5 properties of the matter while being...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Reactions

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this chemical reaction worksheet, students investigate the results of mixing calcium chloride with sodium bicarbonate. They observe the chemical and physical changes that occur, identify the properties of the chemical before and after...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evidence of Chemical Change

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this chemical change worksheet, students conduct 4 experiments set up around the room. They follow the instructions at each station for each experiment and list the physical properties and observe any changes at each station. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Changes

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and identify chemical and physical changes in a variety of substances. They observe a vinegar and baking soda demonstration, and a water, laundry detergent, and Epsom salt mixture demonstration. They discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fun With Chemical Changes

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe and identify the differences between chemical and physical changes. In small groups they mix different substances together in glass beakers, and identify which had a chemical change, supporting their statements...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Fun

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe and conduct a variety of experiments to differentiate between physical and chemical changes. They mix cabbage juice with different liquids and record their observations on a chart. Students write down their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Change It

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders expand their knowledge about how the physical properties of a substances can be changed. They are given multiple opportunities, using first-hand experiences and familiar objects in different contexts, to identify...