Curated OER
Butterfly
Young scholars use a purchased kit to explore the characteristics and life cycles of several butterflies including the Monarch, Western Swallowtail, Red Admiral and Painted Lady. They create a plaster casting of each species for study...
Curated OER
Ocean Microstructure
Students assess the ocean's microstructure by analyzing graphs created during tne Ronald H.Brown research cruise. they discuss at what depths various sea animals live and write paragraphs on data analysis from the graphs.
Curated OER
Riparian: The Guardian of the Waterways
Students become educated on what a riparian is, the need for riparian, and how a riparian corridor (forest, habitat) can protect waterways. Students construct dioramas depicting riparian habitats.
Curated OER
Mother Nature's Laboratory
Students research how various plants and animals adapt over time to specific habitats and for specific purposes. Students produce a pictorial report on an example of an animal or plant's adaptation.
Curated OER
Crazy Critters
Eighth graders visit a local park to collect insects. They record the habitats, identify the insect and write a report including the kingdom, phylum, class, and order.
Curated OER
Floristic Relay
Fifth graders identify the role succession plays in the adaptation of our environment. Students identify pioneer and climax species and order habitats in succession. They recognize that different characteristics of species make them...
Curated OER
Carnival of Carnivores
Students research different species of meat-eating animals in their natural environments to create a Carnival of Carnivores exhibit for their classroom.
Curated OER
Deep Gardens
Students investigate the differences and similarities between shallow-water and deep-sea coral reefs. In this coral reef lesson, students research and compare the characteristics of reefs. Students describe various lifeforms...
Curated OER
Treasures in Jeopardy
Students study how coral reefs can be protected from humans and their activities. In this conservation lesson students explain the benefits of coral reefs and what humans can do to help protect them.
Curated OER
Boom and Bust
Students investigate commercial fishery. In this fishery lesson, students describe stages in commercial fishery, interpret data and predict when a fisher stock is showing signs of overexploitation.
Curated OER
Investigating Animals in Soil
Students investigate and observe small animal activity on a plot of land on their school grounds. In small groups they identify the five kingdoms of animals, stake out a small plot of ground, collect samples, record and analyze any data...
Curated OER
Coral Reefs
Learners research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. For this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an aquarium.
Curated OER
Water Wonders
Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology activity, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom aquarium in which...
Curated OER
Cutt-Off Genes
Students explore how gene sequence analysis can be used to examine phylogenetic similarities of different organisms. Students work in groups to simulate a gel electrophoresis separation of fragments using poster board to create their gel.
Curated OER
This Old Tubeworm
Students plot data to construct and interpret a graph about vestimentiferans at cold-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep sea lesson, students plot data provided for the growth of tubeworms. They use the graphs to determine...
Curated OER
Clay Ants: Insect Anatomy
Learners examine anatomic structures in order to identify insects from other living organisms. They gain a level of comfort from anxiety when observing and handling live and pinned insects. They create clay models of an insect.
Curated OER
What's Down There
Students write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Students then explore the differences that contribute to the overall...
Curated OER
Deep Gardens
Students compare and contrast deep-sea coral reefs with shallow-water coral reefs. In this underwater ecology lesson, students describe three types of coral and explain why scientists are concerned about the future of deep-sea coral.
Curated OER
Have to Have a Habitat
Students create a zoological and botanical garden made up of a variety of species from around the world.
Curated OER
Pond and Pond Organisms
Young scholars explore pond ecosystems. In this pond organism activity, students will use pond water and a plastic bad in order to locate and identify freshwater organisms. The activity is designed for younger grades,...
Curated OER
Biodiversity: El Imposible National Park, El Salvador
Fifth graders explore the concept of how the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more interdependence of species exists within that system. The complex relationships among diverse species are difficult to identify. As species disappear or...
Curated OER
Native Plant Restoration Project
Students distinguish between exotic and native plant species. They work in groups in the field to restore a natural habitat. A class map is created to reflect their work in the field.
Curated OER
Changing How Things Look
Third graders use a literature study in order to investigate how organisms effect an ecosystem. They are asked questions about change taken from the book. Students also take a nature walk to make field observations.
Curated OER
Biological Diversity and Conservation
In this conservation biology worksheet, students will complete 9 short answer questions on the different strategies of conservation biology, including the Endangered Species Act and establishing protected areas for animals.