Chicago Botanic Garden
GEEBITT (Global Equilibrium Energy Balance Interactive TinkerToy)
Students use the GEEBITT excel model to explore how global average temperatures are affected by changes in our atmosphere in part two of this series of seven lessons. Working in groups, they discuss, analyze graphs, and enter data to...
Curated OER
What Goes Down Must Come Up
Third graders explore the capillary action of plants. They discover what makes paper "grow" when water is dropped on it. Pupils observe how paper reacts as it absorbs water. Students use a variety of saturate solutions to grow crystals,...
Curated OER
Tides in the Hudson
Learners view an illustration of the Hudson River watershed and identify the bodies of water shown. They discuss what happens when fresh and salt water mix. Students view a teacher demonstration of the stratification of fresh and salt...
Curated OER
World Geography - Climate Notes
A challenging activity helps young geographers explore the temperatures around the world! They study how the Earth's land temperatures are affected by their proximity to an ocean, as well their latitude and their altitude. A very...
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen and Respiration
Young scholars are presented with the question, "Do plants that grow underwater use oxygen?" They create an experiment to test the presence of dissolved oxygen in the water using provided materials. Student experiments include a control...
LABScI
The Separation Lab: Candy Colors
There's no better motivator than candy! An engaging activity has pupils explore methods for separating mixtures. A two-part lab first explores methods of separation based on size and magnetism. The second activity introduces learners to...
Curated OER
Snack Tectonics
Yum! Using graham crackers, dried fruit sheets, and frosting, tectonics technicians demonstrate the different types of plate boundaries. If you want to encourage youngsters with an activity that is both educational and edible, then this...
Curated OER
It's too loud!
Investigate soft, loud, and dangerous sounds. Little ones put a check next to the sounds that are loud, an X next to ones that are soft, and circle the ones that would require protective ear wear. Tip: Get out a tape player or computer...
Broadway GPS
Kinky Boots—The New Musical: Official Show Guide
Drag queens in thigh-high shiny red leather boots! Welcome to Kinky Boots, the Tony Award-winning musical about a young man trying to save his family-owned shoe-making business. With an engaging story line and songs by Cyndi Lauper, the...
Curated OER
What's Gotten Into You?
Students use models to investigate the process and consequences of water contamination on the land, groundwater, and plants.
Curated OER
Groundwater Movement
Students study groundwater movement beneath the surface of the Earth. In this agriculture instructional activity, students experiment with how water moves through rock materials such as sand, gravel, and clay.
Curated OER
Where is Agriculture?
Students explore agriculture. In this agriculture lesson, students read "Where is Agriculture?" and discuss all the things that come from agriculture. Students discuss what they need to survive and give examples of agricultural products...
Curated OER
Displaying Sea Ice
Students display their knowledge of sea ice. In this earth science lesson, students create displays reflecting their understanding of sea ice.Students research the development of sea ice on a variety of bodies of...
Curated OER
Lesson one
Learners study waves and how it erodes a beach. In this energy lesson students complete a lab activity on waves and tides.
Curated OER
Build an Exhibit
Eighth graders discover the importance of keeping the water in the water supply clean. Using the internet, they complete an activity in which they record their answers on a worksheet. In groups, they create their own exhibit on...
Curated OER
Analyze the Results
Students conduct water tests and sample macroinvertebrates from a nearby source to make a general determination about the overall quality of water. They use worksheets and analyze data as part of a larger unit.
Curated OER
Water Quality and Temperature
Young scholars are led through three activities to explore the effect of temperature fluctuations on the growth and survival of aquatic plants, clams, and shrimp eggs.
Curated OER
Effects of Nitrate and Phosphate Changes on the Growth of Algae
Students determine the effects of an increase of the amount of nitrate and phosphate levels on the growth of algae. the development of a hypothesis is encouraged and students proceed to a conclusion based on their results.
Curated OER
Growing Corn
Sixth graders create a Venn diagram of different soil types. They plant cord seeds in clay, sand, and fertile black soils are record their growing rates. After two weeks they discuss the effects of soil types on the growth process.
Curated OER
Watershed Awareness
Learners investigate the relationship between upstream influences in their watershed and the watershed's estuary. They apply the scientific process to test a hypothesis while examining the impact of upland activities on estuaries.
Curated OER
What Makes a Seed Breathe Faster?
Here's a five-star lesson plan in which inquisitors conduct sophisticated experimentation with cellular respiration in plant seeds. Placing seeds in a closed system they measure the amount carbon dioxide produced and relate it to...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Introducing Ecosystem Services
Purifying air and water, providing soil in which to grow crops, and moving water through its natural cycle are all services an ecosystem provides that benefit humans. Lesson four in a series lets learners explore and discuss the value of...
National Wildlife Federation
Power Pellets! Nuclear Energy in the United States
Nuclear power provides about 20 percent of the energy generated in the United States. The seventh activity in the series of 12 tackles nuclear power. After sharing what they know about nuclear energy, scholars complete a...
Curated OER
Sunrise/Sunset
Third graders discovver what causes the dramatic colors of a sunset by seeing the changing color of light as it passes through a clear container of water to which milk is gradually added. They measure the liquids and observe what happens...