Students investigate energy transformation in the form of wind energy. They read a handout, answer questions, identify points in an energy system where transformations occur, and build a wind turbine.

Students build anatomically correct dragonflies of polymer clay, use vocabulary for body parts, and define the function of the body parts as adaptations for survival.

Students discuss Newton's laws of motion. The conduct motion experiments by building "Newton Rocket Cars" from assorted materials. They propel the cars with rubber bands and wooden blocks and record the distance traveled on data sheets.

Middle schoolers build an apparatus to look at how yeast cells grow by converting food to energy. They observe yeast both with and without food and see how yeast produces carbon dioxide.

Students prepare for a field trip. They navigate through a Underground Network site. This "field trip" can be conducted in a patch of healthy grass or soil anywhere you can find it: right outside your building, in a backyard or at a...

Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...

Students explore basic nutrition concepts to help them select healthy diet, evaluate food intake, discuss major food labeling issues, design labels for food products, examine history of food packaging development and how packaging...

Students observe and analyze weathering. In this earth science lesson, students demonstrate physical and chemical weathering in two experiments, then write questions for a class Jeopardy game.

High schoolers investigate the structure of DNA, replication and transcription. In this DNA lesson plan, students build models of DNA using piper cleaners and paper clips. They demonstrate replication of DNA and transcription of DNA to...

Students explore human anatomy by completing a list of activities over five days. In this brain science lessons, students examine images of brains and identify the different parts. Students complete an in-class quiz regarding brain...

Students study the different telescopes and instruments used in the Observatory.  In this engineering and research instructional activity students explore telescopes using a website and build data tables about them.

Students create a town model and analyze the type of greenhouse gases their town emits. In this earth science lesson plan, students build greenhouses to investigate how trapped heat causes temperature change. They relate this activity to...

Eighth graders build and run mousetrap cars in order to measure distance, time, and mass for their cars. They use these measurements to calculate average speed and kinetic energy, then create a slide show to visually explain how the car...

Students view pictures of the space station and discuss their feelings about living in a space station. They discuss the materials needed to build a space station and its various needs for operation. They read the NASA contest rules...

Students create pages of a classroom book on the different structures that ants build. They view and discuss a video on ants then, in small groups, research a type of ant shelter. They relate the shelter to the environment in which the...

This lesson plan combines a creative building activity with analyzing a butterfly photograph and using problem solving to complete the puzzle. It blends art and science very well. Students will learn and enjoy the process. The extension...

Students investigate the Earth's crust. In this geology lesson, students identify the materials made up of the Earth's crust and investigate the different kinds of soil.

Students participate in a series of experiments to learn about plate tectonics and the different materials of the Earth. In this plate tectonics lesson plan, students use eggs, water, beakers, paper, and more materials to learn about the...

Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation.  In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and...

Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage activity, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and analyze...

Students study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science lesson, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities and share them with the...

Students explore the three-phase strategy used by NASA for scientific exploration. In this space science lesson, students research past missions to Mars. They share their discoveries and create a timeline as a class.

Students simulate crater formation through a lab activity. For this space science lesson, students calculate how much energy is transferred during meteorite impact. They identify different factors affecting the size and depth of craters...

Students explore the challenges of building a thriving human civilization in a desert environment. They design new technologies to assist people living in the desert.