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...
Curated OER
Where Are All the Fish?
Students identify the problems that marine life is facing today. In this marine science lesson, students explain how Marine Protected Areas can help the ocean and the fish. They brainstorm ways to help in the conservation effort.
Space Awareness
Day and Night in the World
How do different parts of the world experience day and night? Introduce scholars to the concept of global citizenship while teaching about animal behavior with discussion of nocturnal and diurnal animals. Then, learners complete...
Curated OER
Case of the Missing Pumpkin
Scientists define and discuss decomposition, and watch pumpkins decompose and return to soil in classroom experiment. They record the date the experiment began, chart changes in pumpkins on a calendar, count how many days it takes...
Curated OER
Sink or Float?
Students investigate whether different objects sink or float in water using the Scientific Method. They listen to the book "Christopher Columbus" by Stephen Krensky, identify the steps of the Scientific Method, conduct the sink or float...
Curated OER
Hazards: First Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Examine the environmental hazards associated with volcanoes with a three-part science lesson. In the pre-lab, first graders learn that gas, landslides, ash, and lava are all hazards that come from volcanoes. They then explore hazardous...
Curated OER
Apple of My Eye
Learners study apples. In this apple lesson, students read Apples by Gail Gibbons. Learners discover the life cycle of apples and determine the many uses of apples. Students write a list of factual information on strips of construction...
Polar Trec
Swan Savvy
Just like so many other birds, swans migrate during the cold winter months. Your class can gain a better understanding of migration and bird life as they act out some of the activities common to the tundra swan. They make a nest, sit on...
Space Awareness
Meet Our Neighbors: Moon
Since a field trip to the moon isn't possible, bring the moon to young astronomers! Participants use everyday materials to create models of the moon and represent the features on its surface. The materials serve as a tactile as well as a...
Curated OER
Science All Around You
Learners visit and explore a Hands On Science Center (HOSC). They participate in a variety of self-guided table exercises and observe as scientists demonstrate various scientific principles.
Curated OER
Digging up the Dirt on Soil Microbes
Students are introduced to the idea of soil as a habitat for many different organisms. They are introduced to the links between the biological adaptations of an organism and the physical demands of its habitat. Pupils are introduced to...
Curated OER
Beautiful Bugs
Students investigate the life cycle of ants, ladybugs, and butterflies. They list the four stages of the butterfly life cycle, define symmetry and observe how ants make homes in dirt.
Virginia Department of Education
Weather Patterns and Seasonal Changes
Get your class outside to observe their surroundings with a activity highlighting weather patterns and seasonal changes. First, learners take a weather walk to survey how the weather affects animals, people, plants, and trees during...
Curated OER
Science-Related Field Trips That Won’t Break the Bank
Try some of these tips to put a new spin on the old field trip favorites.
Curated OER
Water Breathers
Students explore the effects of animal breathing and movement on water currents. For this aquatic animal lesson, students use food coloring to experiment and learn about water currents created by aquatic animals.
American Chemical Society
Liquids - Clearly Unique
Bring chemistry to life for scholars as they perform two tests to examine the unique properties of three liquids. Classroom investigators make observations, develop basic lab skills, and follow step-by-step instructions to compare water,...
Curated OER
Something Fishy Going On
Students create a video animation of how Swimmy gathered his fish friends together to form a great big fish that would frighten the predator tuna away. In art class each child create a small red fish which gets displayed in the ocean...
Curated OER
Land Plants and Algae
Students compare and contrast algae and land plants. For this plant lesson students discover what algae and land plants require for growth. The students discuss experimental design. The students experiment with different treatments of...
Curated OER
Tree Top Canopy Field Trip
Learners visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. In this environmental instructional activity, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Learners interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
Curated OER
Trees and Erosion
Students examine the connection between trees and erosion. In this erosion activity students experiment with the effects of rain on a hillside. Students investigate the number of trees and the amount of erosion.
Curated OER
Science: Seeds to Plants
First graders compare and contrast different seeds before planting them. They assess the basic needs to plants and conduct experiments of deprivation of those needs. They write stories and draw pictures of plants which are bound into a...
Curated OER
Life Cycle of Butterflies
Students identify ways plants and animals make changes related to the seasons, specifically focusing on the life cycle of butterflies.
Curated OER
Polymerization Experiments
Students study the concepts of polymerization and the function of crosslinkage. For this polymer lesson students complete a lab activity and write down their observations.
Curated OER
Recycle Lifecycle
Young scholars investigate the recycling process. In this recycling lesson, students read the article The Recycling Process After Collection and discuss the advantages of recycling. As an extension activity, young scholars simulate the...