University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our...
PBS
Population Simulation with M&M's
Math and M&Ms® go great together when introducing a modeling activity. Allow your learners to simulate population growth and decay of fish in a pond and share their reasoning for the change in fish. With such an impact we have on our...
Curated OER
Using MY NASA DATA to Determine Volcanic Activity
Students explore how aerosols are used in science to indicate volcanic activity and how biomass burning affects global aerosol activity. Students access data and import into MS Excel using graphical data to make inferences and draw...
Curated OER
Viewpoint on Causes of Global Warming - An Assignment Using Anonymous Electronic Peer Review With a Dropbox
Students are told that studies exist that suggest human activities are not causing warming of the Earth. Students are given the opportunity to further their writing, critical thinking and reasoning skills. While enhancing their computer...
Cornell University
Nano Interactions
Tiny particles can provide big learning opportunities! Middle school scientists explore the world of nanoparticles through reading, discussion, and experiment. Collaborative groups first apply nanotechnology to determine water...
Cornell University
Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They...
NASA
Geographical Influences
"If global warming is real, why is it so cold?" Distinguishing the difference between weather and climate is important when it comes to understanding our planet. In these activities, young scientists look at the climate patterns in a...
Michigan Sea Grant
Water Quantity
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Curated OER
Using My Nasa Data To Determine Volcanic Activity
Young scholars use NASA satellite data of optical depth as a tool to determine volcanic activity on Reunion Island during 2000-2001. They access the data and utilize Excel to create a graph that has optical depth as a function of time...
Curated OER
Our Savage Planet in the News
Students explore extreme earth phenomenons. In this savage planet lesson, students explore and report on various types of severe weather and earth phenomenons using the Internet, a word processor, or other multimedia device.
Curated OER
Volcanic Activity in the U.S.
Young scholars locate and map ten volcanoes in United States, create chart comparing volcanoes by last eruption, type of volcano, location, and interesting fact, and create Powerpoint slide show describing basic
information about...
Curated OER
Unit 2: Global to Local: Understanding My Place in the Hydrosphere
What does the ground around your home have to do with water pollution? Young ecologists learn about their local watershed and create their own cause-and-effect models of the hydrosphere.
National Library of Medicine
Electricity, Frankenstein, and the Spark of Life
Shocking! After viewing a short clip from the 1931 movie, Frankenstein and reviewing electricity references in Mary Shelley's novel, class members examine Luigi Galvani's and Alessandro Volta's observations on electricity and muscle...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Flutter By, Butterfly!
Learners examine the basic characteristics of butterflies. They view a butterfly PowerPoint presentation, complete various labelling activity sheets, explore websites, and design a poster that includes facts and illustrations to be used...
Curated OER
Migration of the Neo-Tropical Songbirds
Fifth graders plot the migration of birds using Google Earth. For this lesson on bird migration, 5th graders work in groups to plot the migration of a group of birds using Google Earth. Students present and discuss their findings and...
Curated OER
Fossils!
Students conduct Internet research about different types of fossils, the animals they are from, and some famous paleontologists. They also participate in some interactive activities and hands-on lessons in which they create their own...
Curated OER
It All Starts With a Seed
Students use laboratory equipment safely. They identify structures in a seed. They distinguish between monocots and dicots. They search for information using the computer.
Curated OER
Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries
Young scholars research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations. For this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class....
Curated OER
Forest Stewardship Library Media Center Resources
Young scholars develop their technology skills by accessing web sites and evaluating information. In this research instructional activity students research forestry topics and write a paragraph on the accessed websites.
Curated OER
Science and Technology Timeline and Report
Students research one area where science and technology have affected our lives. Using the internet, and other sources, students identify six important events that have benefited society. They create timelines, cite references, and ...
Curated OER
Weather Forecasting: From Then to Now
Eighth graders review the history of weather forecasting. In this earth science lesson plan, 8th graders identify the different tools used in forecasting weather. They explain why it's important to know the weather.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Let's Identify and Classify
Students participate in a creative activity to give them a good understanding of classification. They examine bags of chips and discuss their similarities and differences. Students work in small groups while participating in this activity.
Curated OER
Exploration to Mars... or Not? An Exercise with Split-Screen Electronic Peer Review
Students use split-screen technology which is utilized for an electronic peer review assignment that has students justify whether humans should continue their investigations of the Red Planet or not.