Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination.  In this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Frozen Film

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover how light reflects off surfaces. In this hands-on demonstration, students examine how variations in color are produced by light interference.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Butterfly Round-Up

For Teachers 2nd - Higher Ed
Students classify the characteristics of butterflies and moths moths. In this life cycle lesson, students identify butterflies and moths common in the state of Iowa as well as their characteristics.  Students then learn the proper...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How is heat transferred through conduction?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe different types of conductors. They answer orally about the conduction of heat energy with 100% accuracy. Students investigate some materials that conduct heat much better than others, and poor conductors can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snowfall

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the differences between snow and rain. In this precipitation lesson plan, students measure one inch of rain and snow to calculate the amount of liquid water. Students use a snowfall "conversion" chart to measure how much...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ups and Downs of Weight and Mass

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the concept of mass, and how it differs from weight. They also calculate their weight change as they ride up and down on an elevator. They record the changes in their weight as the elevator moves graph the collected data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inroads On Erosion

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners investigate the concept of farming as found in Puerto Rico an focus on how to prevent erosion. They use a sand table to conduct an experiment to observe the process of erosion and how it is influences by natural factors like...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grooming Is A Good Thing

For Teachers K
Students construct fly traps, collect house flies, and observe the flies grooming. They compare/contrast the fly's grooming techniques with their own. They develop a good grooming habits chart.
Lesson Plan
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Autumn

For Teachers K
Students observe the different patterns of leaves and record their observations after reading the book "Autumn Leaves".
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Capsules:The Egg-stronaut Egg Drop

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students brainstorm the factors affecting the speed at which a space capsule reaches the surface of a planet or moon and suggest how engineers might deal with each factor. They then create a model which is dropped from a high point...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let It Snow!

For Teachers K - 5th
Students make the most of the season's first snowfall with a snowflake study. They create original snowflakes from paper, collect authentic snowflakes on paper, and examine and compare the snowflakes.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Making a Periscope

For Students 4th - 5th
In this designing a periscope worksheet, students follow the directions to collect materials and make a periscope. Students answer 5 questions.
Lesson Plan
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Canoe and Kayak

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students explore canoes and kayaks. In this canoe and kayak lesson, students research the history, parts, and sport of the canoe and kayak.  Students then practice how to use a paddle for each boat, and go on a field trip in order...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observation Hike

For Teachers K - 12th
Students participate in an observational hike to study the natural surroundings.  In this observational hike instructional activity, students hike through a state park and observe the plant and animal life.  Students learn...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery of the Malformed Frogs Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars develop an understanding of how students and volunteers can make scientific observations that can aid conservation. They read the account of the Minnesota New Country School project by Ryan Fisher, Mystery of the Malformed...
Organizer
Curated OER

Autumn's Palette

For Students 1st - 3rd
In this Ranger Rick worksheet, students participate in a nature walk, observe the leaves, and sketch some of the leaf shapes they encounter. Students also respond to a question regarding the range of leaf colors they observe.
Worksheet
Curated OER

How’s the Weather?

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this weather worksheet, students unscramble weather words that describe features of the weather. An answer key and website reference for additional resources are included.
Lesson Plan
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Classifying Living Organisms into Kingdoms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a flip book that describes the basic characteristics of the five main animal kingdoms. They research the animal kingdoms, include examples of organisms for each kingdom and illustrate the finished text.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nebraska's Wild Weather

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine the weather in Nebraska. Using this information, they describe the cause and effect relationships in the environment based on these changes in weather. They write various types of poems with weather themes and share them...
Lesson Plan
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Probes, Exploration and Application

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the benefits of the space program to our life on earth.  For this space exploration lesson students participate in a lab, answer questions and study radar mapping. 
Lesson Plan
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Is There A Fungus Among Us?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders classify fungus into two different groups. In this fungus lesson, 6th graders collect as many pieces of fungus as possible. Students then classify these pieces of fungus as saprophytic or parasitic. 
Lesson Plan
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FRED the FISH

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students engage in the study of the human impact on environmental systems (specifically rivers). This lesson enhances Students' exploration of a variety of themes or topics.
Lesson Plan
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USING YEAST AS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT MEASUREMENT TOOL

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils realize the importance of organisms as standards of measurement and experimentation.The first lab is a simple survival curve that demonstrates the effects of UV light on cells. The second lab looks at repair mechanisms of the DNA...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brine Shrimp And Ph Levels

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the different ph levels found in water that is tested using simple measurements. The water samples are taken from a local body of water. The ph levels are used to help indicate areas where shrimp can thrive in...