San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Water from the Well
How much water does it take to brush your teeth? How about to wash your clothes? Perform an experiment that measures water usage in everyday tasks and compares them to the days before indoor plumbing, specifically the California gold...
NOAA
Journey to the Unknown
Go where no one has gone before. Learners experience what it is like to be a scientist exploring new territory. Using audio and a scripted text, pupils take a trip in the depths of the ocean. They follow their trip with a hands-on...
Curated OER
Seed Germination
Students germinate a Mung Bean seed. In this seed instructional activity students conduct an experiment germinating a Mung Bean. They apply three different treatments to the seeds: dry, moist, and underwater incubation.
Curated OER
Organic and Inorganic Waste
Students conduct a scientific investigation about organic or inorganic waste. In this organic or inorganic waste lesson, students create a compost heap to determine the difference between inorganic and organic waste. Students record...
Curated OER
Where Has It Been? Tracking the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
By studying the assumed extinction, and subsequent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, learners use maps and come up with a scenario for the rediscovery of the bird. This incredibly thorough lesson plan is chock-full of...
Curated OER
Searching for life
Students explore the possibility of life on Mars and what that might look like. In this planetary lesson students complete several activities on looking for life on Mars.
Curated OER
Matter/Solid Liquid Gas Experiments
Students investigate matter:solid, liquid, gas by conducting different experiments. In this states of matter lesson, students conduct hands on activities that allow students to see first hand results. Students mix different substances...
Curated OER
Human Impact on the Life Cycle of Corals
Students study the life cycle of a coral reef. They then participate in a simulated village meeting in which they roleplay various characters who must review proposed legislation dealing with reef management.
Curated OER
Global Warming Experiment
Students examine the changes in Earth's temperature. In this global warming instructional activity, students perform an experiment testing temperatures of soil. Students record their findings and discuss what made the differences in the...
Curated OER
Phytoplankton and Ocean Color
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
Curated OER
Miller-Urey Experiment Amino Acids & The Origins of Life on Earth
Students study the Miller-Urey Experiment including its history and criticism. In this origins of life lesson students repeat this experiment to see how it works.
Curated OER
Lesson 5: Designing an Experiment
The intent of this instructional activity is to introduce young scientists to the steps of the scientific method. To this end, they consider the question, "Which brand of battery lasts longest?" In this case, the experiment is carried...
Curated OER
Lesson 3: Life Cycle of Brassica Plants
Students investigate the life cycle of brassica plants. In this science lesson, students observe each stage in the life cycle of their plant. Students record their observations and graph the data. Students
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Students complete lessons on a butterfly life cycle, moon phases, hot water, and shadows. In this science lesson plan, students complete activities where they read books, look at demonstrations, and complete experiments.
Curated OER
Aquatic Ecosystems
Students study the diversity of marine life and their habitats. In this aquatic ecosystems activity students complete a lab activity and experiment.
Curated OER
Autism
Students with autism increase their knowledge about autism, communication, life skills, and goal setting. They read selections from authors who have written about their experiences with autism.
Curated OER
Apollo Moon Landing
Young scholars explore paper rockets, learn about the Apollo Program and Apollo spin-offs, and use simple office supplies to design and create a new useful product. This amazing plan is incredibly well written and leads students through...
Curated OER
What's Out There? Space Shuttle Exploration and Simulation
Students simulate life in space aboard the space shuttle. For this space exploration lesson, students work in small groups to model life aboard the space shuttle. Each student is given a job, conducts Internet research on space, and...
California Academy of Science
Fish Prints
What do a dead fish, conservation, and paint have in common? The answer is a great lesson about fish anatomy, fun print making techniques, and unsustainable fishing practices. The class will start by making fish prints with a...
Curated OER
What is Air?
Young scholars investigate air by participating in a class experiment. In this matter measurement lesson plan, students identify air as a gas which consists of mass. Young scholars utilize a windsock or balloon to measure oxygen and...
Science Matters
Matter Cycles — Sum It Up
Scholars become part of the cycle of matter with a reader's theater that showcases producers, consumers, decomposers, and the sun. A diagram and discussion concludes the learning experience and enhances comprehension.
Curated OER
Nature Art Exploration
Students draw a nature landscape using watercolors. In this life science instructional activity, students share their personal experience on the beauty of nature. They create clay models of different native animals.
Curated OER
Wild, Wild Wetland Wildlife
Learners investigate biology by participating in a science experiment. In this dissection lesson, students conduct a nature field trip around their school grounds and identify animals, plants, tracks and waste. Learners dissect an owl...
Curated OER
Forest Life- Wood Bug Study
Examine wood bugs and their habitat. Learners gather wood bugs and examine their bodies. Then discuss their body parts and how they help them survive. They also predict where they think wood bugs live to then graph the class results.