Arctic sea ice reflects 80 percent of sunlight, striking it back into space; with sea ice melting, the world's oceans become warmer, which furthers global warming. These activities explore how humans are impacting ecosystems around the...

Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.

Biotechnology is big! Introduce the uses of biotechnology to science scholars with a fascinating, fact-filled unit. The first installment in a series of four biotechnology units covers the role biotechnology plays in human and...

Oceanography enthusiasts are given a series of thought experiments to consider in order to relate the solubility of gases and solids to underwater volcanoes. It is not particularly engaging to perform these thought experiments. Choose...

This activity uses a question and answer format to scaffold students comprehension of a short dialogue about the Chesapeake Bay and its tradition of log canoes. After reading the short passage, students are prompted to find three facts...

The propellant needed for space explorations runs in the thousands, while paying to get the craft into orbit costs millions! In the second installment of three, two activities explore laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Using...

What can one learn about a planet based on a small surface sample? Learners will explore artifacts from a mystery planet and see what they can determine about the planet based on the evidence in front of them. 

Ice cores provide scientists with knowledge of historic melt layers, air temperatures, greenhouse gases, and climate stability. Scholars work in groups to build layers representing snow and ice over thousands of years. Then, groups...

Jump ropes, dock lines, cables. The science and technology behind rope making is the focus of a seven-page packet that ends with a rope making challenge.

In a simple but unique lesson, youngsters learn about the history of voting systems. They then collaborate in groups to develop a new honest and consistent voting method. A class-wide poll is taken, evaluating the designs of other...

It's "Green light, go!" with this lesson! STEM classes are illuminated with the history of traffic signals and how the engineering design has improved over time. They also learn about patents for new inventions. Finally, they research in...

Students are introduced to the concept of evolution by natural selection from a historical standpoint. They examine the evidence and arguments that support the theory of natural selection.

Young scholars infer evolutionary relationships by comparing the physiological data or description. They write what they think would happen if a brown bear in the woods had an offspring that was white. Would this help the baby bear in...

High schoolers explore an idea about the history of human knowledge of the universe and understand the process of scientific exploration.  In this scientific exploration lesson students contemplate the state of astronomy and future...

In this notes on the screw worksheet, 5th graders read 3 paragraphs about the screw, its history and uses, then write the main points of each paragraph in the right hand column.

Open this instructional activity by giving a brief history of ice cream. Using liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature, preteens make their own confection. The accompanying activity sheet queries learners about freezing point, the...

If you are looking for an aid in teaching about safety in our food industry, this presentation might fit the bill. It begins by telling the history of food laws and development of the regulatory agencies. Each agency is described in...

With a little light and a lot of time, you can create some amazing images. This NASA-related task instructs pupils to build a pinhole camera. The lesson provides suggestions for different pictures to try with the pinhole camera...

Students explore the Forest and the vocabulary associated with it. In this Forest lesson, students take the roles of photographer and reporter to examine an area of land for evidence of past life. Students take a close-up and complete...

Students explore ways to turn back the genetic clock. They explore cells and mitosis. Students participate in an activity to create a flip book that will animate the process of mitosis. They explain each stage of mitosis.

High schoolers describe the symptoms and suspected causes of Alzheimer's disease or cancer. They describe current research projects seeking to learn more about or find treatments for either Alzheimer's disease or cancer. Students...

Students study ancient Greek civilization. In this World history lesson, students locate Greece on a world map and review what the ancient Greeks did when they developed new ideas for government, science, philosophy, religion,...

Students calculate how much coal they use based on their electric power usage. In this environmental science lesson, students trace the history of coal mining in US. They write a letter to USPS to encourage them to create coal mining...

Students read the story Ancient Ones about a forest that is connected to all the life around it. For this reading lesson plan, students also create a tall folding book about the forest.