Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Apply Technological Design and Scientific Habits of Mind

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers work together to brainstorm their obstacles in testing different scientific principles. In groups, they are given a scenerio with a specific dilemma and they use the internet to research how to solve the problem. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Keep a Scientific Journal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students record observations of a living organism over a period of time. They observe meal worms and record their observations in a scientific journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Field with Salamanders

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students observe salamanders, take pictures of them, and classify them into an online format. In this animal classification lesson, students use collection materials and digital camera to photograph and observe salamanders. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification for Beginners

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the process of classification. In this rock classification instructional activity, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to follow the provided steps to classify rocks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Curiosity Does Not Kill The Cat

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners list the different ways they could test a guinea pig, a dandelion, and their brother (or sister)? They create a data chart in their group that lists the organism, what they could measure, and how they could change that measurement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Investigate Tooth Decay

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners conduct a simple investigation to explore tooth decay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Careers in Science

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars learn the trends in the current job market for scientists, find where the jobs are, the range of salaries, and the job requirements. They discover that scientists do some very interesting things, then write a letter of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

EarthTrek Gravestone Project

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the effects of acid rain. In this acid rain lesson, students investigate the effects of the weathering from acid rain in different places. Students visit cemetaries to collect data about the effects of acid rain on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Thermometer

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils observe a demonstration of how a thermometer functions. They apply the scientific method while determining which of three cups hold the coldest water. They write a hypothesis before conducting the experiment and gather data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vegetation Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Pupils use picture cards to familiarize themselves with plant structures and characteristics. They collect plant specimens without destroying the plant and mount them creating a class herbarium.
Lesson Plan
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Succession: Patterns in the Field and in Seeds

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Have you been wondering how to use that natural trail at or near your school? This activity gets kids outside with a purpose: learn about ecological succession through field observations and collecting seed and soil samples. The resource...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Our Water Healthy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students test water for a least one chemical characteristic. They hypothesize how a storm event might change the chemical characteristics of a stream. Students collect water samples and use the chemical test to test the water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystem Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners visit a local stream, pond, creek, or river and collect macroinvertebrates. They sort macroinvertebrates and identify each species using a dichotomous key. Students decide on trophic levels and construct a possible food web for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What If There's No Light?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
students discuss the importance of light and the consequences of living without it. Using a plant as a demonstration, students predict and observe what happens to a plant when it does not receive enough light. In groups, they experiment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality with Samples

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students recognize whether one wants to drink water, swim in it, or for the health of the organisms living in it. They prepare different water samples to observe and collect samples regarding the water quality.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining the Age of Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CAN'T TOUCH THIS!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars discover the best practical shielding material when dealing with radioactive substances. They draw conclusions based on availability of materials, price, and best shielding properties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Lesson Plan

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the importance of water in our daily lives. In this physics activity, students calculate the pressure of water tower systems. They investigate the effect of certain variables using a computer simulation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balls and Ramp

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners role several balls of different weights down a ramp and into a paper cup and record how far each ball made the paper cup move. They then answer questions that help them analyze their results and reinforce the idea that energy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bounce Back Ball

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders work in teams of four to measure the rebound heights of a tennis ball dropped from four different heights. They investigate with the bouncing balls to measure changes in the type of energy they possess.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parachutes: What Affects a Parachute

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students create a simple paper parachute. In this parachute design lesson, students examine the effects of the wind and make napkin parachutes.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Collecting Compost

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students observe a composting box. For this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature School

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students observ the cooling and warming of room temperature, hot, and ice cold cans of water by measuring the change in temperature over time. They then attempt to develop explanations for the observations made and apply their findings...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And the Survey Says...

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders evaluate whether a certain argument is valid or invalid. In this science lesson, 8th graders discuss the importance of using unbiased evidence. They design an experiment that they can test in school.