Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capturing Watershed Experiences

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students observe organisms found in the water. In this lesson on organisms, students collect water from local streams and tributaries in order to study the organisms found in the water. As a culminating activity, students create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather in Your City

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe weather conditions of a particular city. Multiple intelligences are explored within this lesson. They locate their particular city on a United States map. Each student writes about their discoveries in his/her journal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stargazers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the light spectrum and light waves as well as how the properties of light and color have contributed to important discoveries about properties of the universe. They research the term redshift and the redshift...
Lesson Plan
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Dinosaurs In Argentina

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the fossils in Argentina and why it is a good place to find them.  In this dinosaurs lesson students learn about the recent dinosaur excavations. 
Lesson Plan
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Biotechnology and The Chocolate Milk Cow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss new discoveries that have resulted from the use of recombinant DNA technology and otehr biotechnology. In groups, they create a transgenic cow capable of producing chocolate-flavored milk.
Lesson Plan
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Polar Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students define and read an article on polar energy.  In this polar energy lesson, students answer questions about the article.  Students participate in activities related to isotopes, half-life and radiocarbon.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strange New Planet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. In this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...
Lesson Plan
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Cooking Up the Scientific Method

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the different steps of the scientific method. In this life science lesson, 1st graders apply this method when conducting a series of hands-on activities. They collect data and write observations in their journals.
Lesson Plan
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Who Was Charles Darwin?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners complete two activities to study Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. They read Darwin's journal from the voyage of the Beagle and look at the scientific ideas that influenced the development of his theory.
Lesson Plan
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We Are All In This Together

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students complete a variety of activities centering around insects. In this insects education lesson, students read People by Peter Spier and discuss the similarities and differences among people. Students gather and explore materials...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Alaska's Seamounts - Volcanoes, Plates, and Chains

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the formation of seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska. In this seamount instructional activity, student focus on how the Axial-Cobb-Eikelberg-Patton chain was formed. They learn the associated vocabulary, and watch a teacher...
Lesson Plan
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Pilgrims: The First Americans

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time.  In this Thanksgiving lesson plan, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and...
Lesson Plan
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Mystery : Structure of the Atom-A Case for Indirect Evidence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the structure of the atom through hands on activities. In this atomic structure lesson, students perform 4 activities showing indirect evidence of the structure of the atom and the parts of the atom. They also list...
Lesson Plan
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Forces of Nature: The Challenges of River Travel

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine how river travel affected the Lewis and Clark expedition. They define gravity, slope, and velocity, conduct a river formations experiment, complete an activity sheet, and watch a video about Lewis and Clark.
Lesson Plan
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Discovering the Breakdown

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate diseases of the respiratory system. In this respiratory system lesson, 5th graders research, using a variety of sources, the common diseases this system. They determine the causes of a breakdown in the system...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Movies for a Nickel! The Nickelodeon

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students identify and participate in this activity to identify and learn about the early history of the film industry, and consider the impact of movies on society ever since. Then they use the websites listed to study various aspects of...
Lesson Plan
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Mock-Muck

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students purify water samples using various techniques. In this water treatment lesson, students complete a variety of activities to learn about the process. A data chart is included for recording results. A crossword puzzle is included...
Lesson Plan
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Striking It Rich!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the California Gold Rush. They explore the lure of gold and the Wild West, how pioneers traveled to the West, and the hardships and people they encountered along the way. Activities be authentic, hands-on, and...
Lesson Plan
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A World of Symmetry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify lines of symmetry.  In this symmetry lesson plan, students create objects and identify their lines of symmetry.  They answer questions about lines of symmetry.  Students cut shapes out of cookie dough and...
Lesson Plan
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What's the Matter?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the components of matter. They discover what matter is, the states of matter, and how heat and cold cause it to change states in an online format. In addition, they complete internet-based lessons, activities, and quizzes.
Lesson Plan
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An Uplifting Experience

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research and complete a graphic organizer about the principles of flight. In this aviation lesson, 5th graders experiment to understand the work of Daniel Bernouli and his discoveries about air pressure. Students create...
Lesson Plan
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The Importance of Tropisms

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate plant tropisms using the scientific method. In this life science lesson, students learn about tropisms and test the response of corn seedlings to gravity. Response questions, extensions, and an...
Lesson Plan
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Plant Pollination

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate methods of pollination for various flowers. In this plant biology lesson, students learn the parts of a flower and form a hypothesis about the method of pollination for the flower. They determine the validity of...
Lesson Plan
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Plant Disease Identification and Classification by Using Sterile Techniques

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify how to use sterile techniques when identifying plant pathogens.  In this plant diseases lesson students complete a lab activity in which they see how plant diseases are identified and classified.