Curated OER
Urban Ecosystems 4: Metabolism of Urban Ecosystems
Cities are compared to living, breathing, metabolizing organisms. Fourth in a five-part series of lessons, this one focuses on the flow of materials through a city. Links to interesting websites and images make your delivery of...
Curated OER
Coral Reefs
Young scholars research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. In this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an...
Michigan Sea Grant
Invasive Species
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
Curated OER
Marine Life Protected Areas in the O.C.
Students research a Marine Protected Area and determine the species' that benefit from its protection. In this marine lesson students present their findings to the class using PowerPoint.
Curated OER
Micro-Ecosystems
Students create a sustainable, self-contained ecosystem in a ten-gallon aquarium.
Curated OER
A Living Watershed
Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.
Curated OER
the Wonder of Wetlands
Young scholars explore the importance of the wetland ecosystem, its properties and functions, as well as, the many birds, animals, and plant life found there.
Curated OER
Charting Diversity
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
Curated OER
Finding the Basal Area of a Forest Plot to Determine Stocking Levels
Learners use graphs and plots to measure the basal area and stocking levels. In this graphing instructional activity students work in the field the use their data to help them complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Fish Parasite Survey
Students count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on approximately one-hundred and fifty fish. They fill out autopsy reports for external and internal parasites then complete and discuss guide questions to make inferences about parasite...
Curated OER
Fish Parasite Survey
Students survey and dissect as many fish as possible. They count nematodes, cestodes and crustaceans on the fish, fill out autopsy reports, and transfer data to a chalkboard data table. Students graph the results of the entire class...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students observe what happens to water as it goes from a solid to a liquid. In this exploratory lesson students gain an understanding for the water cycle while working in groups observing what happens to water as it changes state.
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Schoolyard Tree Inventory and Biodiversity Project
Learners investigate the trees in their schoolyard by collecting data. In this ecosystem lesson students examine the schoolyard in sections, tagging and numbering trees and shrubbery in the specific area. Learners collect leaves for...
Curated OER
How do new species form?
Tenth graders conduct a critical analysis of current evolutionary concepts. They describe how scientists continue to investigate theories. Students examine examples with experimental data that suggest alternative methods of species...
Curated OER
Estuarine Habitats
Sixth graders study the important habitats, flora, fauna, and physical factors of coastal habitats. They compare the aquatic habitats to terrestrial habitats by researching and completing tables with the information.
Curated OER
Wolf Pack in a Bottle
Students participate in an activity of a mock electrophoresis using paper chromatography to study DNA and genetic restriction mapping.
Curated OER
Lotic Environment
Students assemble a classroom river model as an example of a lotic system. They control and measure biotic and abiotic information for the in-class system and compare data with a lotic system in a natural environment.
Curated OER
The Arctic and Taiga Ecozone of Canada
Learners discover the differences in the Arctic and Taiga regions of Canada. They identify physical and human characteristics of both region. They also practice using an atlas.
Curated OER
Lotic Environment Lesson Plans
High schoolers create and conduct experiments on a "classroom river habitat." They manipulate the biotic and abiotic factors so that they are able to compare an artificially prepared river model to a naturally occurring lotic ecosystem.
Curated OER
The Arctic and Taiga Ecozone of Canada
Young scholars examine the various sub-regions of the Arctic and Taiga zones in Canada. Using the online Canadian Atlas, they locate and describe the characteristics of each zone. They organize their information into a chart and share...
Curated OER
Forest Management
Students explore the changes in the Sequoia forest ecosystem. They evaluate reasons for the changes and discuss opposing views of human activity, logging and fire management practices. Students observe a video, describe the location of...