Teach Engineering
Biomes and Population Dynamics - Balance Within Natural Systems
How large can a population become? The fifth installment of a nine-part unit teaches young ecologists about limiting factors that determine the carrying capacity of species in the Sonoran Desert. Here is a PowerPoint to help present this...
Curated OER
Adventures in Earth Day: Why Do We Care About Our Environment? - Biology Teaching Thesis
Learners are introduced to Earth Day and the importance of this day. They make a collage, students can use articles, pictures, words, etc., in magazines or newspapers or online, that relate to Earth Day, the environment and environmental...
Curated OER
Cool Corals
Students explore corals and polyps. In this coral reef activity students divide into groups and prepare a written report.
Curated OER
A River Runs Through It
Learners solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical, and...
Curated OER
Red Mangroves Of Southern Florida
Pupils engage in a unit plan to examine the ecological background for the Mangroves of southern Florida. They conduct research using print and computer technology sources. They use the information in a number of other extension...
Curated OER
Wagons Test
Students examine the characteristics of different biomes. In this ecology instructional activity, students design biomes where given animals can live. They discuss the design within the group and share it with the class.
Curated OER
Hawaii's Sandy Shores
Investigate Hawaii's sandy shore ecosystem! Start by creating a vocabulary list and having your class complete a KWL chart. Next, pass out the "I think of" sheet. Each learner will then choose a word from a beach bucket and add it to...
Curated OER
Biome-Ecology Unit with a "Design a Zoo" Extension
Students participate in a three part unit about biomes. Part one, students research the biomes of North America and part two consists of research on zoos and a field trip to a zoo. While part three ties together the first two when...
Curated OER
Introduction to Ocean Grazers
Students explore biology by creating a poster with classmates. In this oceanography activity, students identify the importance of coral reefs to the ocean's ecology and examine a food web of ocean animals. Students define a list of...
Curated OER
Guetemala's Changing Forest
Eighth graders compare their local ecological zone to the tropical rainforest. In this natural ecology lesson, 8th graders complete an activity about the differences in ecological zones. They compare their biome to the Guatemalan...
Curated OER
Endocrine Disruptors in Our Drinking Water: Should We Be Concerned?
Students investigate the different hormone contaminants in the water supply. In this math lesson plan, students analyze data tables and graphs. They demonstrate exponential growth and decay using frog populations.
Curated OER
How Much is That Monkey in the Window?
Students investigate exotic pets and the ecological and personal risks involved in trading and owning such animals. They synthesize their knowledge by creating advertisements that promote the sale of exotic pets and picket signs that...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Animal
Students design and create their own hypothetical animal. For this biology lesson, students identify the factors organisms need to survive. They classify their animals according to its correct phylum.
Curated OER
What makes up YOUR Environment!
Students create their own land or water environment. They make their environment livable for all the different animals they collect to put in it. Students research the types of animals that they can have in their environment, and how...
Curated OER
Ecology
Young scholars learn what the Kyoto Protocol is and examine the decision of the United States to not sign the agreement.
Curated OER
Investigative Case - "Swampeast Missouri"
Students explore wetland hydrology and biology and decide whether or not to restore a wetland or retain dams and drainage systems. They examine the complexity of decisions regarding wetland restoration as well as investigate viewpoints...
Michigan State University
Bug Lyphe!
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...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Using a miniature coral reef aquarium kit, young ecologists model this unique ecosystem. They research various coral reef organisms and their niches, and they culminate the project by working together to write a report. Use this activity...
Teach Engineering
Designing a Sustainable Guest Village in the Saguaro National Park
Brainstorm ideas to design a sustainable guest village in the Sonoran Desert. The first installment of a nine-part unit teaches young environmental scientists about the basics of the Saguaro National Park and about sustainable design....
Curated OER
That's Predictable - Stream Side Science
Research the impact that changes in biotic or abiotic factors might have on an ecosystem. Debate for or against the changes and take action in the community. This resource ideally follows stream studies that young ecologists may have...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Day the Mesozoic Died
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...
Curated OER
Biome Exchange: Send the Stuff Not The Kids
Students exchange information with students from various geographic biomes. They explore the unique ecologically significant features of the biomes and share with other students.
Curated OER
Review of Populations
Students review the concept of populations. In this Biology lesson plan, students will work with a partner to talk through what they remember from the unit on populations. The class will then begin to work through a concept map as a way...
Curated OER
Populations – The Survival of the Fittest (Part 1)
Students explain in their own words why organisms live together. In this biology instructional activity, students model what happens to organisms if their environment changes. They explain the importance of evolution.