Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pressure Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be a Weather Newscaster

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders, in groups, create and videotape a news broadcast. Each group researches, develops and writes a weather forecast, a commentary on an environmental concern, a school activity and a commercial.
Lesson Plan
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Oceans and Coasts

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students explore the topic of marine pollution. They define key vocabulary words, list examples of marine pollution, complete a true/false handout, read an article, and participate in a class discussion.
Lesson Plan
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Desertification

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the process of desertification in the Sahel region of Africa. They discuss photos from a National Geographic magazine, analyze the physical/political map of the Sahara, identify the causes and effects of...
Lesson Plan
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Examining the Reasons for the Creation of the State of Israel

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the connection between World War II and Jewish immigration to Israel after the War.  In this World History lesson, students discuss the details of what it might have been like to live through the Holocaust. ...
Lesson Plan
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Bird Up

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify basic physical and behavioral characteristics of birds and how they adapt to their environments. To organize and share scientific information with peers. They discuss similarities and differences among birds....
Lesson Plan
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The Coldest Place at the Bottom of the World

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Ernest Shackleton's journey through the Antarctic and trace Shackleton's Actual Route on a map using longitude and latitude coordinates. Students compare his intended route with his actual and determine how far off...
Lesson Plan
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Trash: Past, Present and Future

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how much trash they create. In this recycling lesson, students define stewardship and conduct an experiment to see how much trash the class produces in a week. At the end of the week the students propose ways to...
Lesson Plan
World Maps Online

Introduction to the World Map

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students identify the differences between maps and globes. In this map skills instructional activity, students are shown a globe and a map and recognize the differences. Students use post-it notes to locate several locations on the world...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Observation Journal

For Teachers K - 4th
Students record weather for a period of one month. In this weather lesson, students observe weather for one month on a large pictograph. Students record clouds, wind, temperature and any other weather conditions they observe. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Measuring Humidity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students measure humidity in the classroom. In this weather instructional activity, students use a psychrometer to measure the humidity in the classroom. Students complete a lab packet.
Lesson Plan
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Measuring Temperature

For Teachers K - 4th
Students conduct an experiment using the steps of the scientific method. In this scientific method lesson, students experiment with temperature and record their findings using the scientific method. Students complete a data sheet based...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hydrologic Cycle Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the water cycle using educational resources. In this water cycle lesson, students use a global climate DVD to complete a scavenger hunt on the hydrologic (water) cycle.
Lesson Plan
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Local Hydrologic Cycle

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students draw the water cycle as it occurs in their community.  In this water cycle lesson, students observe demonstrations of sublimation and infiltration.  They also use photographs or their own drawings of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Permeability

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss how soil permeability is affected by permafrost. In this soil lesson plan, students freeze soil over night, and discuss how the environmental conditions of freezing affect soil and further affect vegetation.
Lesson Plan
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Hurricanes and Tornadoes (Grade 4-8)

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate the concepts of hurricanes and violent weather conditions. In this violent weather lesson, students access an Internet site and watch a video about how air masses behave, how a tornado forms, how hurricanes form, and...
Lesson Plan
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How is a House Built?

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify the equipment and people needed to build a house. In this professions lesson, students construct a KWL chart on the topic of "Who builds a house?" Students read the book How a House is Built. Students add facts to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution lesson students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
Lesson Plan
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The Colors of Seasons

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe each season and and mark the colors they see.  In this colors of the seasons lessons, students read The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and compare their results and note variations of colors in the different...
Lesson Plan
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Analyzing Hurricanes Using Web and Desktop GIS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze hurricanes. In hurricanes lesson, students use the Internet and GIS to analyze hurricanes. Students view the National Atlas of Maps to discuss the direction hurricanes move. Students study the wind and pressure fields to...
Lesson Plan
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Biomes: the Threat of the Sea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study global warming including its causes and effects.  In this creative lesson students make posters on global warming.   
Lesson Plan
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Applied Science -Physics (4A) Post Lab

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the history of electricity. In this electricity instructional activity, 4th graders review the connection between electricity and magnetism. They do a research project on the history of electricity. 
Lesson Plan
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Illustrate the Constellations

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore space science by participating in a star identification activity. In this astronomy lesson, students identify different star patterns and discuss the movement of stars across the sky as the seasons change. Students...