Curated OER
Extreme Environments
Students examine extreme environments and the characteristics that make them. In this adaptation lesson plan students see how animals have adapted to these environments.
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Water Pollution
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research Program
Paper Plate Fishes
Tropical fish make great art projects! Use paper plates to design, color, and assemble round and oval-shaped fish based on photographs of actual fish found along the Moorea Coral Reef. Kids learn about different fins- including the...
Curated OER
Guess What?!
Students explore how scientists work. In this scientific method lesson, students use their senses to identify objects they cannot see. Students are asked to think like scientists and make observations, comparisons, and interferences, as...
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Process Skills Review: Observation, Inference, and Predictions
A simple activity asks science learners to define five terms and identify five statements as predictions, observations, or inferences. This would be a supportive assignment when introducing elementary-levle scientist to inquiry practices.
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Timeline for Bird and Plant Research
Students research and observe birds and plants in selected habitat areas.
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Crayon Resist Fall Leaves
Young scholars create examples of fall leaves using crayons, paints, and white paper in this fall Art lesson for the early-elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed upon a class lecture/discussion about why leaves change color prior to...
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Alternative Snowflakes
Learners discover how snowflakes in nature are really formed, and recreate this process with paper and glue. This art lesson gets some scientific learning in as well.
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Earth Day - Grow A Seed Garden
Students discover how things grow and how they can take better care of the environment in this Earth Day lesson for the elementary classroom. The activity can be accomplished in one day and left in the sun until the "beans" begin growing.
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Magical Images of the Estuary
Students investigate picture taking techniques while visiting an estuary. In this picture taking lesson, students examine the "Magical Images of the Estuary" handout. They think of and list important picture taking techniques before...
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Our Water Footprint
Young scholars discuss the water usage of the world and their own water usage. In this water lesson plan, students read a story about water and discuss different statistics of water usage around the world.
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Drip... Drop... Raindrops
Students demonstrate the steps of evaporation, cloud formation, and precipitation within the water cycle. They make and demonstrate how to use a hygrometer to record daily humidity and describe how rain, snow, and sleet form.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Looking to the Future
New Horizons set forth on a mission to Pluto in 2006. Ten years later, the spacecraft is still on its way. Here, enthusiastic scholars predict what they will be like—likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.—when New Horizons arrives at its...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
University of Colorado
Planetary Distances on the Playground
Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...
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Solar S'Mores
Students investigate solar energy. In this solar energy lesson, students compare how heat is absorbed in light-colored objects and dark-colored objects by making S'mores.
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Solar S’Mores
Learners cook with the power of the sun. In this solar energy lesson, students explore solar cooking as they apply scientific principles to cook s'mores.
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Simple Machines-Lever
Students examine the lever. In this simple machines lesson, students construct a lever by using two pencils, three pennies, and a ruler. Students explore the uses of a lever.
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Simple Machines-Pulleys
Third graders understand what a pulley is and how it works. In this simple machines, pulley lesson students experiment with broom sticks creating a pulley. Students observe how the pulley moves in its different trials.
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Solar Collectors
Students explore solar collection. In this solar energy lesson plan, students use two circles of white and black construction paper at the bottom of containers of water to investigate solar collection. Students record the temperature...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
A Classroom Solar System
Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.
Curated OER
Bringing Animal Issues Into the Classroom
An informative learning exercise invites learners to compose essays about animals. Some excellent writing prompts are included in this innovative learning exercise. Use these ideas with a variety of grade levels.
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The Transfer of Energy 1: Thermochemistry
Budding chemists achieve a basic understanding of the role of heat in chemical reactions. An online worksheet gives learners instructions and questions to answer as they investigate the Chem4Kids website and perform a hands-on lab...
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Desert Plant Detectives
Students examine and categorize plants in their own schoolyard desert garden and then observe other plant areas of their schoolyard.