Students observe a composting box. For this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.

Students study estuaries and compare several ones in the U.S. In this estuary activity students interpret data and compare the distribution of different species. 

First graders explore how most living things, big and small, need food for survival.

Students observe and discuss the Idaho state quarter to begin an activity in which they define and draw different types of habitats. They discuss the habitats that the migrating Peregrine falcon, which appears on the Idaho quarter,...

Second graders play the game I Spy to help identify objects made from rock. They investigate the properties and uses of rocks and go on an I Spy search on the playground. They sort pictures according to living and nonliving objects.

Young scientists write and draw about their knowledge of reptiles. They also view a nature video focusing on lizards and snakes, complete a chart comparing and contrasting them. Next, they focus on the defense mechanisms...

Students model the soils layers using Oreo's. In this lesson students use their favorite food items to create a model of soil layers. A discovery lesson from a youth camp is adapted for classroom modeling and discussion of soil...

First graders explore living things and their habitats. They create an original It's Alive! book to demonstrate what they have learned.

Students complete a unit of lessons on insects. They participate in a bug hunt, construct paper flowers, discuss pollination, create bug paperweights and insect mobiles, play bug charades, and participate in a bug scavenger hunt.

Sixth graders conduct a variety of assessments at a local stream to determine if it is a suitable habitat for salmon. They measure temperature, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, bacteria and nutrients. In this unit, 6th graders work...

Young scholars explain how the components of a cell operate as a system. Students examine a bicycle and find out if parts were arranged differently, could the system still be carried out. They look at cells as well and see what...

Students 'see' nature differently. They look closely to find the rainbow of colors found in a superficially-green dominated landscape. They find as many different colors as they can- selecting a color chip and matching it as...

Students demonstrate what happens when nature takes back land after humans have managed it. They find an area in the schoolyard, and mark it off with a boundary. Students build a simple fence with string and stakes. They put up a sign...

Learners investigate Daisyworld, a very simple planet that has only two species of life on its surface - white and black daisies, and bare ground. They construct a Stella model of Daisyworld and perform guided experiments to explore the...

Students are introduced to the concept and components of a habitat. They discuss the key components of a habitat and describe how certain factors can cause disturbances in a habitat and change its population. Activities are leveled...

Students explain how the food chain works. They contrast predators with prey and describe their function in nature. Students discuss how the food chain aids in keeping nature balanced. In small groups, they play a game that simulates the...

Students are introduced to the components and importance of the water cycle. They are shown how groundwater moves using a model. Students list 9 places on earth where water is found. They define the terms cycle and water cycle.

In this biology learning exercise, students identify insects by their name and write it in the correct box on the sheet. Then they catch insects with nets and bring them in to identify. Students also earn points for the number of insects...

Students study vitamins and who should take them and what ones to take.  In this investigative lesson students plan a healthy diet after reviewing the types of supplements.

Students simulate an agriculture project. In this sequencing lesson, students observe their classroom pumpkin patch, make journal entries, and predict how the pumpkins will grow. They discuss as a class how to keep their pumpkins safe...

Students investigate the stages of the Monarch butterfly and its life cycle.  In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students discuss when, where, and how the Monarch butterflies lay their eggs.  After discussion, students...

Students read the label of an insecticide and identify pertinent information. They tell that the higher the LD50 the less toxic the chemical. Students begin to extrapolate the impact of pesticide use beyond the death of the insect.

Students review the needs of animals, hypothesize the needs of plants, and set up experiments to test hypotheses.

Students create a design for a school garden. In this garden design lesson, students analyze what plants grow best in their school's climate and work in teams to design a garden. Students measure the existing space, determine the...