Looking for a sun-sational multi-lesson plan full of videos, simulations, and discussion? Introduce your young scientists to all things solar with a four-part hands-on adventure. Pupils learn the basics of solar anatomy, space weather,...

Scholars review prior knowledge before completing a hands-on simulation of the rock cycle. They write stories or songs summarizing their simulations to demonstrate mastery.

We can't dig a hole through the Earth, so how do we know about the layers beneath our feet? Scholars learn about layering through hands-on exploration of common materials. They study the characteristics of each layer and apply their...

Space diving refers to the act of jumping from outer space and falling through Earth's atmosphere before parachuting to land. Scholars learn about this extreme activity and study the layers of the atmosphere they must conquer in the...

Do scientists really change their minds when presented with new evidence? Young scientists learn about two competing theories they need to decide between. They perform a simulation and have access to actual field data. Then, scholars...

How do scientists determine the best method for removing pollutants from our water sources? Environmental scholars experiment with pollution clean-up options to discover which are the most cost-effective, fastest, and most thorough....

Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...

Most people rely on the ground under them remaining still and constant, yet the plates on the earth are constantly moving. A research-based STEM lesson asks pupils to research seismic data and tectonic plates. Then they create surveys of...

We name eras of human development such as the Stone Age, Copper Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age after rocks and minerals, proving how important these are to daily life. The applied STEM unit encourages scholars to act as geologists...

The three types of rock aren't classic, punk, and hard. The chapter covers everything scholars need to know about rocks. Pupils compare rocks, learn about their formation, see how rocks change, and follow every step of the rock cycle....

Geology rocks — literally! A geology chapter offers eleven activities at four different levels. Scholars enjoy completing hands-on experiments before applying critical thinking skills following a share, process, generalize, apply, and...

Young scientists piece together the geological puzzle that is the earth in the third and final lesson of this earth science series. With the help of numerous multimedia resources and a series of engaging hands-on activities, students...

How can you provide healthy soil for your garden? Study worms, bacteria, and other microorganisms in a lesson about decomposition and organic compost. After discussing what you know about worms and watching a video, watch what worms do...

Through a PowerPoint presentation and the embedded animation and video, earth science enthusiasts find out about the moisture in the soil beneath our feet. In the animation, follow a water molecule on its path through the water cycle. As...

You will lava this little clip about volcanoes! It explains what a volcano is and describes the four different types. It also addresses how magma flows through a conduit, passes through a vent, and becomes lava. All of this takes place...

Are you having trouble deciphering the Next Generation Science Standards on the website, or just trying to find the standards for your grade in a quick-and-easy format? If so, here is a free and easy-to-navigate app made with you in mind.

Middle school scientists will think you're the coolest teacher on the planet when you use this video to help them understand the basics of plate tectonics. The lyrics, compiled by science teacher Sue Selle, are played to the music from...

One important skill in analyzing scientific evidence is identifying facts versus opinions. Scholars identify pieces of evidence from the film The Day the Mesozoic Died and then discuss this evidence in small groups at the end of each act...

The interactions among the members of an ecosystem are what keeps all organisms living together successfully. Using an informative PowerPoint, individuals learn about how energy cycles through ecosystems in food chains and food webs....

Why is Earth so diverse? What makes it habitable for so many forms of life? An informative PowerPoint explains the important characteristics of Earth from geological history and atmospheric layers all the way to how and why weather...

Is the hottest part of the day at noon, when closest to the sun, or later in the afternoon, when the land holds in the heat? Scholars observe the temperatures over a few days as Earth rotates into sunlight and view a flat map of the...

The Pacific Northwest contains the only areas in the contiguous US that receive more than 100 inches of rain each year. Viewers observe the accumulation of rainfall in the area over the course of one month. 

A lack of rain created deserts on one-third of the earth's land surface, while excess rain created rain forests on only six percent. Scholars observe a global perspective of rain fall. They see the satellite imagery over a six-month...

Climate systems involve sunlight, ocean, atmosphere, ice, land forms, and many other factors. Scholars explore each of these variables related to the Pacific Northwest rain forest. They use an online interactive to investigate the polar...