Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medicine: Then and Now

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read ancient Greek texts to explore ancient healing practices and compare them to modern-day medicine. They conduct research into modern first-aid practices, using a standard medical reference.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Dinosaurs Ruled

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils research about plants and animals during Triassic period. In this earth science lesson, students draw pictures of their chosen plants and plants for the bulletin board. They present their project in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution in the Anacostia River

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders are introduced to Earth day--- what is it and why do we care, ease into topic of pollution, where have they seen pollution in their community, steer conversation in the direction of the Anacostia. They are reintroduced...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Clear or Not To Clear, That Is the Question

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils plan how to manage a fictional timber resource.  In this earth science lesson plan, learners research the options and repercussions of logging a forested plot of land.  Pupils consider the implications of logging to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Massif Mystery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After reviewing plate tectonic theories and the discovery of both the Atlantis Massif and the Lost City hydrothermal vents, earth science learners complete a worksheet and participate in discussions about what the types of rock found...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Survival of the Fastest: Predator and Prey in the African Savannah

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the predator-prey relationship using an interactive game. In this biology lesson, students compare their physical attributes. They explain how  predators develop to make it stronger and efficient as hunters. Each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Layering and Circulation

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Learners examine relationships and interactions between different types of water. They experiment with colored water of different temperature and salinity and discuss how the results relate to real ocean currents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Adult Insects and Their Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study organisms found in Class Insecta. They examine the different adaptations these organisms have developed over time to survive and prosper in their respective habitats. They research the origin of the names of several orders...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Abiotic and Biotic Parameters to Monitor Air Quality

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the abiotic factors that influence a river or stream and the organisms that live in it. They measure several abiotic and biotic parameters to gauge water quality. Students examine the biotic environment by identifying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causes and Effects of ENSO

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze monthly sea surface temperature data from the Pacific Ocean to determine if the period is an El Nino or a normal year. They recognize signs to see if there are any patterns that signal either occurrence. Satellite...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Food Chains and Webs

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Starting with a simple food chain, young scientists interpret the difference and interrelatedness between herbivores, carnivores and producers. They answer questions related to cause and effect of food chain disruptions, including the...
Lesson Plan
Science Friday

Capturing Carbon Dioxide

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Why don't we just capture carbon dioxide in the air and store it somewhere else? A hands-on instructional activity allows scholars to explore a complex concept. First, they will create a carbonated beverage, and then they...
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The Day the Mesozoic Died

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
While this is not the traditional, step-by-step lesson plan, it is chock-full of material that you can easily incorporate into your earth history unit. Its main purpose is to serve as a guide to using a three-part film, The Day the...
Lesson Plan
Michigan State University

Bug Lyphe!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Introduce ecology classes to biodiversity and interdependence in ecosystems with a PowerPoint presentation. Then, they get up-close and personal with the invertebrate world by collecting insects, classifying them, and graphing their...
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Species Discovery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
How do you classify a newly discovered species? Learners view a presentation and complete research about biodiversity and the classification hierarchy. The lesson plan includes activities with dichotomous keys and work on classifying...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaur! Fossil Rush: Tale of a Bone

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore 1870s when a "bone rush" led to amazing discoveries, as fossil-hunters risked life and limb in their quest for dinosaur remains. The class uses the attached visual encyclopedia to prep for a discussion on early paleontology. Two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Life Stinks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Chemosynthetic communities of cold seep areas are considered in this lesson plan. Working in collaborative groups, marine biology or oceanography learners research and prepare a report about oxidation-reduction reactions involved with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Good, The Bad, and the Arctic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the social, economic and environmental consequences that might result from Arctic climate change. Students identify and discuss at least three consequences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding the Ages of Rocks and Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners practice dating fossils. They learn the concept of "deep time"--that earth was formed billions of years ago. They experience excellent hand-outs and virtual age tutorial links.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth: The Food We Eat, The Seeds We Sow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the importance of seed diversity for cultural and ecological stability/health. They discover what an heirloom seed is and why they are important to conserve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Currents and Sea Surface Temperature

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use satellite data to explore sea surface temperature. They explore the relationship between the rotation of the Earth, the path of ocean current and air pressure centers. After studying maps of sea surface temperature and ocean...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chain Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students study animal behavior and how it changes to its environment.  In this animal lesson students design and conduct experiments.
Lesson Plan
NorthEast Ohio Geoscience Education Outreach

Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Using a jigsaw approach, earth science experts teach each other about the physical, biological, and geologic components of the carbon cycle, with a specific focus on the ocean. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Down There?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate the coral reefs around Mokolai Island, Hawaii by researching and writing about improving the reef ecosystem.  Young scholars map threats to the ecosystem and use the list of key words to assist in their descriptions