Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biosphere Socratic Questions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the origin of life on Earth and its evolution through geologic time by participating in a whole class discussion. They respond to prompts that lead them to conclusions about the interactions among the biosphere and the...
Lesson Plan
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The Chemosynthetic Cafe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.  In this chemosynthetic lesson plan students explain the processes of these and define terms. 
Lesson Plan
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Little Red Hen

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore biology by identifying plant anatomy in class. In this botany lesson, 1st graders read the book The Little Red Hen and identify the methods used in order to grow successful plants. Students discuss other ways people...
Lesson Plan
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Wildlife Sampling-Capture-Recapture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders simulate the capture-recapture method of population sampling using beans. In this biology lesson, 7th graders calculate the total population of beans in the bowl. They assess whether this method is reliable or not.
Lesson Plan
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Regolith Formation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the process of regolith formations. In groups, students define regolith and discover how regolith is formed on the Earth and on the Moon. They participate in experimental activities to simulate regolith.
Lesson Plan
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A Closer Look at Wood

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine forests as a renewable resource and conservation practices.  In this conifers lesson students complete a lab activity on the different types of wood. 
Lesson Plan
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Growing Plants

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students explore plants and recognize that they are living things that require light and water to grow. In this online plant biology lesson, students identify, name and match the parts of plants. Extension activities and suggested...
Lesson Plan
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Great Blobs of Jelly!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain how zoo-plankton have an impact on the global process.  In this ocean zoo-plankton lesson students calculate carbon flux and plankton densities. 
Lesson Plan
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Now Take a Deep Breath

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research to answer questions related to deep sea diving. In this deep sea diving lesson, students answer questions on a worksheet using the Internet. They discuss pressure, gas laws, and the physiology of diving in the deep sea.
Lesson Plan
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School Site Ecosystem

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to the concept of ecosystem; specifically, the interrelationships among plants and animals within an ecosystem, and their relationships to the environment in which they live and interact.
Lesson Plan
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Using A Winogradsky Column to Analyze Microbial Communities

For Teachers K - 12th
Students use easily obtained materials to study ecological succession in a microbiological community. This investigation is appropriate for a variety of age groups. Elementary Students be fascinated by the changes occurring over time...
Lesson Plan
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Life in Extreme Environments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare and contrast local environments with the extreme environment of the Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Students explore and gain knowledge of the adaptations organisms use to survive extreme conditions and the diverse...
Lesson Plan
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Candy DNA Model Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore DNA structure using materials such as Twizzlers, small colored gumdrops and/or toothpicks.
Lesson Plan
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Biodiversity

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students match certain animals with a possible fate that could happen to them from a provided list in order to discover the threats to biodiversity and the role humans play. They also discover the importance of biodiversity and what we...
Lesson Plan
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My Place In Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
The purpose of this unit is for students to make the rich set of connections between astronomy and the rest of science and technology, language arts, cultural studies (social studies), math, art, and music.
Lesson Plan
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The Ultimate Predator

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students already know that the most effective predator on earth today. They pay close attention, because after the teacher have finished lecturing, their assignment is to design a new "Ultimate Predator." Students present their...
Lesson Plan
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What Is In The Water?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the biotic and abiotic factors that are found in an aquatic ecosystem. The emphasis is upon the investigation of present an projections of future water quality. Then students visit a local body of water to gather...
Lesson Plan
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Going to Extremes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast Archaea with bacteria and other organisms.  In this ocean lesson students complete diagrams.
Interactive
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Bluebirds Ecology Vocabulary Exercise

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this bluebirds worksheet, students categorize bluebird species found in their state and define vocabulary related to it. Students complete 6 vocabulary words.
Interactive
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Ecology Vocabulary

For Students 5th - 8th
For this ecology worksheet, students read the vocabulary words and then categorize a species found in a field, meadow, or fencerow in their state or region. Students complete 6 problems.
Lesson Plan
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Cyclic Universe: Worlds Without End

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the Big Bang Theory and the Cyclic Universe Model. They explain basic properties of the univers which make life possible. They evaluate ideas about the origin of the universe as to their scientific value.
Lesson Plan
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Trouble in the Troposphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create graphs using NASA data, compare ozone levels of several U.S. cities, analyze and evaluate the data and predict trends based on the data, and discuss and describe how human activities have modified Earth's air quality.
Lesson Plan
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Dogs & Darwin

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders construct and conduct a laboratory experiment illustrating the transfer of mutations. They compare and contrast natural selection in organisms with long and short reproductive cycles.
Lesson Plan
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Seasonal Cloud Cover Variations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recognize different cloud types. They determine the seaonality of various types of clouds. They graph the data and determine if a correlation exists between season, cloud cover and type of clouds most prevalent during each season.