Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Many Birds Would It Take To Keep A Jackal Alive?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the role of large families in some animal populations. They work together to complete an activity related to food supply. They discover the relationship between preys and predators.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insect Monitoring

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students practice the scientific method in the classroom, either in preparation or as a substitution for real-world field experience. They examine a simulated biodiversity research situation, using a "mini-plot" or sampling square...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under the Spell of Spiders

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Young scholars will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Size Shapes Animals

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Learners investigate how size affects large and small animals differently. In this animal lesson plan, students determine how size affects different animals by constructing their own animal out of marshmallows. Once learners create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meeting an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson plan, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. For this taxonomy lesson, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Students research information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biospheres

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create models, practice inquiry skills, work with fellow students in teams, and reinforce concepts discussed in class all by using the theme of BIOSPHERES.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blame It On El Nino

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students understand what the weather phenomenon El Nino is and what causes it. Students recognize how remote sensing technology can detect and predict El Nino. Students discover how El Nino effects weather conditions throughout the globe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get Your Motor Runnin'

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the technology of hybrid vehicles and the claims made on their behalf. Upon further exploration, they research and decide which cars, hybrid or non-hybrid, might perform best under various circumstances.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gray Whale Obstacle Course Viewing Guide

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete a worksheet while watching a film about whales. They examine the human impact on whale migration and identify adaptations the whale has acquired in able to survive. They discover how global warming has effected the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radioactivity Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study the difference between types of ionizing radiation and how elements are transmuted. They determine that radiation is normal and surrounds us. They calculate the amounts of alpha, beta and gamma radiation emitted from a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Habitable Planet?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students list conditions necessary for humans to survive. They then mix yeast with a nutrient broth consisting of warm water and table sugar in a plastic bottle, capping it with a party balloon and compare the factors within the bottle...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bats Do It-Why Can't I?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore echos and how they are utilised in navigation.  In this sound lesson students calculate the amount of time between a sound and its echo.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering the Wetlands!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students name wetland plant and animal life.  In this ecosystem lesson students go birdwatching and interpret native plants through art. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integrated Solid Waste Management

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners examine the EPA's approach to integrated solid waste management. They read about source reduction, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy incineration, and land filling, and create symbols for each of the aspects of solid waste...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sharks At Risk Viewing Guide

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners complete a worksheet while viewing a film about sharks. They examine the reasons for overfishing of the oceans. They identify predator-prey relationships as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Oceans

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students complete a variety of activities in preparation for a unit on oceans. They discuss their own proximity to the ocean, identify and name the oceans on a globe, and in small groups identify facts about a selected ocean. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Company of Whales

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine whales and how they migrate.  In this whale lesson students research whales and their migration patterns.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rechargeable Batteries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own battery charger...