Curated OER
Oceans in Motion
This simple activity introduces children to basic marine life as well as to show them the necessity of protecting aquatic environments. Some famous marine life animals are introduced via vocabulary words, then children cut out pictures...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Micro and Macro World Around Us
Don't let your eyes play tricks on you ... use scale to keep your eyes in check! Young scholars observe images without scale and try to identify the structure. Then, they look at the same image with a scale bar and assess whether their...
PBS
The Chrysalis or Pupa
What is one of the most exciting parts of a butterfly's life cycle? When it emerges from its pupa and dries its wings! This is a great activity little ones will love. They discuss what happens during the pupal stage of the butterfly life...
Curated OER
Cells Are Us
Students explore cells. In this science lesson plan, students investigate how the cell is the basic unit of life, that cells divide slowly to become mass of cells, and that there is a gradual loss of cells throughout life.
Curated OER
Life Underground
First graders build a terrarium in order to observe animal and plant life dynamics. In this biology lesson, 1st graders compare how organisms survive in different environments. They write their observations and analysis in their journal.
Curated OER
Solar Arrays for the Space Station
Students explore the challenges that are faced when transporting materials into space. They review the various forms of energy, including solar arrays, that are used on the International Space Station and how generating this energy calls...
Curated OER
Ice Cream
Students create ice cream in a bag and snow ice cream to study the effects of freezing on foods. In this ice cream lesson, students understand the effects of freezing on cells.
Curated OER
It's Alive! Or is it?
Students differentiate the characteristics of living and nonliving things. In this life science lesson, students compare and contrast robots and living things. Given an object, they decide whether it's is living or not and defend their...
Curated OER
The Classification of the Kingdoms of Life
Students can learn about the evolution of science by discussing the classification of living things.
Curated OER
Pond Life
Students explore pond ecosystems. In this living environment lesson, students observe the local pond and identify the living things they find by drawing pictures. Students observe organisms that were found in the pond by using a...
PBS
The Egg
The first stage in the butterfly's life cycle is the egg. Young entomologists discuss why different butterflies lay different eggs and what their eggs look like. Then they use the handouts to make a replica of one type of butterfly egg...
Curated OER
Pick a Pet
Young scholars design informational materials to educate people on the importance of matching a new pet to the family's lifestyle and living arrangements. Students use critical thinking skills to make a decision on the appropriate choice...
Curated OER
The Way a Tree Works
Learners explore nature by conducting botany experiments. In this plant life lesson, students define the necessary resources for a plant to thrive on our planet while defining scientific vocabulary terms. Learners utilize different plant...
Curated OER
Using computers in the content area
Students practice grade appropriate computer basics and integrate them into the curriculum areas. in this technology lesson, students understand correct behaviors while using the computer. Students become familiar with the Internet and...
Curated OER
Inside the Egg, Hatching Chickens
Young scholars explore how an egg becomes fertilized. In this biology lesson, students "candle" a variety of eggs in order to determine which ones have been fertilized and which ones haven't. Student use paper plates to create a graphic...
Curated OER
Why Plants Are Green
Young scholars discover the properties of chlorophyll in plants. In this plant biology lesson, students conduct an experiment to find where the chlorophyll in the plant is located. Young scholars are split into small groups and study...
Curated OER
Diversity of Life
Students identify the difference between eukaryote and prokaryotes and examine the structure of bacteria. In this bacteria lesson students examine the different ways that bacteria are classified through an activity.
Curated OER
Our Systematic Body
Students explore several parts of the body system in the eight lessons of this unit. Through several hands-on activities, the skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory and nervous systems are observed.
Curated OER
Tree Birthdays
Students investigate the growth of trees. In this tree growth activity, students discover that trees make a ring each year they live. Students use new voabulary such as bark, phloem, and cambuim to talk about tree parts. Students create...
Curated OER
Parts of the Flower and Pollination
Students review the parts of the plant and recognize the parts that are important for pollination. In this pollination lesson, students illustrate and label the parts of a flower. Students compare different types of flowers.
Curated OER
Diversity of Life
Young scholars study the classification of viruses and describe their structure. For this investigative lesson students complete an activity and answer questions about viruses.
Curated OER
H2O in Us
Young scholars discover through this activity that all organisms are composed of water. They find that 70 percent of their bodies are made up of water that is in thier cells and blood, and not free-flowing throughout their body.
Curated OER
De-composers - Terrarium
Students explore the environment by building a mock ecosystem. In this rainforest analysis lesson plan, students define many environmental and rainforest related vocabulary terms and discuss the current status of our planet's...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Scale Models
With instructions to adapt the activities for any grade K-12, any teacher can incorporate the concept of scale into the classroom with a simple, yet effective lesson.