American Chemical Society
Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone Depletion
The best of intentions can have negative results. Learners explore the history of the use of chlorofluorocarbons and their effects on the ozone layer. They discover how widely the compound was used because of its unique chemical...
American Chemical Society
Setting the Standards of Excellence
A number doesn't have much meaning without a standard of reference. Learners read about the history of developing standards to measure chemical and physical properties and complete reading guides to process the information. They focus on...
Curated OER
America's Rain Forests Can It Be Real?
Students examine the attributes of unusual plants and animals before determining how they are adapted to specific habitat. They complete an associated worksheet. They make posters with information that they find during research sessions.
Curated OER
Make it a habitat
Students consider the adaptation of life forms through natural selection to fill various niches and accommodate changing environmental conditions. They select an ecosystem and conduct research to provide as much detailed information as...
Curated OER
My Life As An Insect In Namib
Students examine the harsh living environment of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, record the types of insects observed in the video, record information about insects and animal adaptations in their science journals, and...
Curated OER
Wildlife Around the World
Students examine how plants are able to adapt to their ecosystem and the role that fire plays in changes through the years. In this ecosystem activity students complete several exercises focussing on plants and their adaptations to.
Curated OER
Climate Change Effects on Organisms and Ecosystems: You are the Experts!
Seventh graders research about the effect of climate on different ecosystems. In this life science lesson, 7th graders present their research by creating a poster, infomercial, skit or song. They discuss how organisms adapt to climate...
Curated OER
Save Your Breath
High schoolers discuss metabolism. For this metabolism lesson, students evaluate evidence form a research report and discuss the basis for hypothetical metabolic adaptations to low-oxygen environments in the anchialine caves.
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Ecology and Evolution
Students identify the different taxonomic classifications of organisms. For this biology lesson, students create their own organisms and make some changes according to environmental conditions. They present their work in class.
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Design a Deep- Sea Vertebrate or Invertebrate
Students design a deep-sea animal. In this research based lesson plan, students research and design a vertebrate or invertebrate that lives in a methane hydrate habitat. They compile a class chart of the adaptations animals have in this...
Curated OER
Land Plants and Algae
Students compare and contrast algae and land plants. In 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...
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Plant Lifecycles
Students examine the life cycle of plants. In this plants lesson, students identify the various stages of plants and their parts. Students compare the life cycle of a plant with that of an animal. Activities suggested can be modified for...
Curated OER
Introduction to Wetlands
Young scholars describe the characteristics of a wetland, identify plants and animals found there, and how those plants and animals have adapted to their environment. They visit stations, view a video, and complete a KWL about the wetlands.
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Beaver Ecology
Students investigate beaver adaptations, life cycle, and the effects of beaver behavior on ecosystems. They compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic ecosystems.
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Investigating a Fresh Fish
Fourth graders investigate the anatomy of a fish. In this adaptations activity, 4th graders look at fresh fish and identify their adaptations and decide where they think the fish may live. Students draw and label the fish and its features.
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The Gray Whale Obstacle Course Viewing Guide
Students complete a worksheet while watching a film about whales. They examine the human impact on whale migration and identify adaptations the whale has acquired in able to survive. They discover how global warming has effected the...
Curated OER
Ocean Expedition with Jacques Cousteau
Students role play that they are on an ocean voyage with Jacques Cousteau as they study plant, and animal species and adaptation. They write a five page journal, create artwork of the expedition.
Curated OER
Water Filtration
Learners investigate our water system and how it is filtered. In this science lesson, students perform a laboratory activity to investigate the process that goes into filtering water. They relate this activity to other subject areas...
Curated OER
Ocean Habitats:
Students investigate the creatures of intertidal zones. They explore the adaptations species make to survive .
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Natural Communication
Students investigate communication as an adaptation by examining visual, tactile, chemical and auditory communication. They study the characteristics of the red fox an songbirds.
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Magnificent Microscopes
Students use a microscope in a series of activities that are designed to help them explore the "invisible world" and make meaningful microscopic discoveries and learn the importance of the microscope as a tool in science and research.
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Human Evolution
Students investigate hominid evolution to learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor. They study the emergence of bipedalism and the related physical adaptations and cultural ramifications, and chart patterns of hominid...
Curated OER
Stella the Swan
Students analyze the telling of a story with props. They study similarities and differences between ducks, geese and swans, how wildfowl are adapted to life in water, how wildfowl move and feed, and wildfowl family life, how they nest,...
Curated OER
The Bouncing Ball
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment to test how a ball bounces. In this inquiry-based physical science and scientific method instructional activity, students drop a ball from specified heights and record the...