Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion and Ethics: Living with Special Needs

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore human behavior by exploring mental and physical disabilities. In this learning disability lesson, students identify the different disabilities students have which prevent them from working at the same pace as the rest of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover that throughout history cities have been centers of population but that human exploitation of fossil fuels was key to the growth of large cities worldwide. They research urban growth through a number of websites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the different types, designs and nature of bridges. They observe a historical look at the bridges in and around the Pittsburgh area through a video presentation. Connections are made between science and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic Bomb (E-Bomb)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how E-bomb works. In this physics lesson, students simulate the effects of e-bombs on electronic targets. They discuss its potential harmful effects when used as a weapon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just "Kid"ding Around: The Truth About Goats

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine goats, and read a book based on their history. In this animal lesson, students discover the history of the goat, and complete several activities based on the students' knowledge of the animal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Finding" Horsepower

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate horsepower as a unit of power. They examine history and discover that scientists and engineers of high achievement are considered to be among the most valued contributors to their culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate hominid evolution to learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor. They study the emergence of bipedalism and the related physical adaptations and cultural ramifications, and chart patterns of hominid...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thinking About Life in Geological Time Scales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create a large (classroom-sized) timeline showing the history of life on Earth for the last 5 billion years. They are able to identify the events that are relevant to their taxonomic projects (the Origins and important...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Materials - Part B

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the history of materials. They use the kinetic (particle) theory to explain changes of state in matter and trace the flow of heat during changes of state and chemical changes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make it a habitat

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the adaptation of life forms through natural selection to fill various niches and accommodate changing environmental conditions. They select an ecosystem and conduct research to provide as much detailed information as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reconstructing a Fossil Pterosaur

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students reconstruct the skeleton of the fossil Scaphognathus crassirostis. In this fossil lesson plan, students discuss the Kingdoms of life, geologic history and the history of the skeletons of species. Students are given 20 minutes to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oil: Impact of a Resource

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover the history and method of oil production.  In this natural resource lesson plan, students investigate early oil production.  Students discuss the challenges of turning natural resources into safe products.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Missing Piece: A Tale of a Tail

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze and write about their findings of the dinosaur discoveries of Edward Cope. For this Edward Cope lesson plan, students examine illustrations of concept maps, discuss challenges, analyze skeleton diagrams, and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sweet Candy Comets

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use candy to make a comet. In this instructional activity, 4th graders examine the role comets have played throughout history, students watch NASA videos about comets and complete the instructional activity by making an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Loco for Cocoa

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the history of cocoa. In this cocoa lesson, 3rd graders investigate how the cocoa bean has been traded from one country to another. Students create a timeline and map to track the history of the cocoa bean.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Collecting and Classifying Pollen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect and analyze pollen from different species of plants. In small groups, they classify pollen according to shape, size and physical characteristics. They draw the basic anatomy of flowering plants and create a dichotomous...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenario challenge

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familiar with the geography of New Hampshire and the importance of specific sites in history.  For this New Hampshire lesson, 5th graders create a brochure including points of interest and showing distances...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Observation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study making scientific observations . They conduct a "field study" in their attic and make observations about their family artifacts based upon physical attributes. In addition, they determine what characteristics of an object...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize that achievements of human beings throughout human history can be considered part of the ongoing story of human evolution. They research settings such as the biosphere and Mars and write imaginative short stories using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stable and Unstable Structures

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research three major bridge collapses. In this Physical Science lesson plan, students will sketch a bridge design for their area after their research. All bridge designs will be presented to the class to discuss strengths and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stream Study

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the characteristics of a stream habitat. In this life science lesson plan, students use sieves, nets, and jars to collect aquatic organisms. Students also measure the temperature of the stream and calculate the speed of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flowers and Plants

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coal Flowers

For Teachers 1st - 8th
Let's make coal flowers! With this fun activity, young learners watch and learn as they grow crystals! With simple household materials and the instructions included in this lesson plan, your class can grow their own crystals. Learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science of War

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders, from an environmental perspective, study the pros and cons of war. Distinctions between characteristics of biological, chemical and nuclear threats and the impact of economic development are considered.