Students examine the different ways heat can be felt.  For this radiation and conduction lesson, students recognize that the sun radiates heat. Students conduct three experiments to find how the sun warms the Earth and how that heat...

Students investigate tidal patters and the forces that cause the tides. In this tidal lesson plan, students explore and research the tides and complete 43 questions about the causes of the tides, how they are monitored and measured and...

Students discover how animals are born/hatched. For this life science lesson, students listen to a book entitled Chickens Aren't The Only Ones, and discuss animals that are hatched or born.  Students receive a picture of an animal,...

Students explore states of matter by concentrating on the ways in which water moves between its solid, liquid, and gaseous states in a variety of Earth environments familiar to the students. Students represent these movements in dance.

Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...

Students calculate the radius of the earth. They use the method and data suggested by Eratosthenes. They investigate the interrelationships among mass, distance, force, and time through experimental processes.

Pupils compare deep ocean conditions to those found on the moons of Jupiter. In this Earth science instructional activity, students consider the possibilities and conditions needed to support simple life. Pupils examine the habitats and...

How do scientists provide evidence to support the theories they put forth? What clues do they put together to create these theories? After watching West of the West's documentary Island Rotation class members engage in a series of...

Sometimes scientists learn more from unexpected findings than from routine analysis! Junior oceanographers dive deep to explore hydrothermal vent communities in the fourth lesson in a series of five. Scholars examine data and look for...

Students explore climate changes. In this climate changes lesson, students research what causes changes. Students search the Internet, summarize reports they find and create a poster with the information.

Second graders, working in cooperative groups, will create a multimedia presentation about the Earth's moon. Their research must be presented through three or more methods. (i.e. charts; graphs; oral reports; multi-media; dramatic role...

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....

Students research the Earth's ocean systems. They examine the impact of global warming on the oceans and the world as a whole.

Students research a given nation and complete an activity chart for that country.   In this water crisis lesson students work in groups to organize and present the information for their given country. 

Students, while engaged in a group discussion, collaborate a mini-project on environmental issues at home and/or in the classroom as well as incorporating environmentally related words and expressions within their daily diary writing...

Fifth graders investigate biomes of the earth. For this biomes lesson, 5th graders explore eight different biomes which include the tropical rain forest, deciduous forest, grasslands, and taiga. They design an artistic scrapbook that...

Students study the interrelationship between the horseshoe crab and red knot. In this ecology lesson, students explain why several species became extinct. They research about endangered species found in their region.

Students study the water cycle including condensation, evaporation, and precipitation. In this water cycle lesson, students watch a video and access assigned web sites to investigate the water cycle. They complete an experiment with a...

Fifth graders conduct research on the geological formation Luray Caverns located in Luray, Virginia in preparation for a field trip to the caverns. They conduct Internet research, and answer worksheet discussion questions.

Students examine their understandings about energy concepts by completing an online survey. Students participate in a class discussion about their uses of resources and the differences between perpetual, renewable, and nonrenewable...

Students describe theories on how the first humans came to America and show the evidence that supports it.  In this investigative lesson students study given material and prepare written or oral reports in their groups. 

High schoolers study how tectonic plates can produce earthquakes.  In this earthquake lesson students use a model earthquake machine to explore hypotheses about earthquakes. 

Students study earthquakes and how sediment accumulations are used for past information on earthquakes.  In this earthquake lesson students interpret sediment cores and describe turbidites. 

Young scholars study sinkholes and how they are associated with paleoamerican settlements.  In this underwater exploration  lesson plan students explain how sinkholes are formed.