How large can a population become? The fifth installment of a nine-part unit teaches young ecologists about limiting factors that determine the carrying capacity of species in the Sonoran Desert. Here is a PowerPoint to help present this...

See how changes in initial populations and parameters affect a biological community. Individuals use a special software program to simulate a desert community with five species. They adjust initial populations to see how the community...

Great things come in small packages! What better way to illustrate this point than a week-long look at nanotechnology? Earth science scholars explore water quality issues through lab activities, then research new innovations in nanotech...

What is water worth to you? The answer probably depends on many different variables. Learners explore the value of water in space and what it takes to transport the resource to locations in a galaxy far far away. They then consider...

There is nothing in the world quite like a bee. Here is a video that explains the importance of bees to pollination. Scholars consider possible solutions to the declining population of bees in the ninth and final installment in the series.

A terrific lesson plan focused on the design process. It begins with a presentation, "Design: Solve a Problem," which lists the steps of the process and then introduces the specific challenge: to build a device that measures wind...

Students are introduced to the concept of cause and effect. Using a switch, they make certain sounds and images appear on their computer. They identify a change in the screen and signal when there is a change in the environment...

Students research either French or Spanish speaking countries. After compiling information covering the geography, people,government, economy, and culture, they produce travel brochures on their respective countries.

Sixth graders design trivia game about panthers. In this panther trivia game activity, 6th graders use the Internet to research interesting information about panthers, write the facts on note cards, and create a game based on the ...

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 investigate Canadian people by researching the geography of the country.  In this world geography lesson, students identify locations within Canada with large populations based on their access to waterways.  Students...

Fourth and fifth graders explore soil by taking a simulated field trip under the earth. They go to an Internet site that runs a simulation which charges them with finding a source of pollution that could destroy all of Earth's soil, and...

Students assume the role of an engineer or planner. As an engineer or planner they must come up with ideas that can be put into place to control floods. They produce a working model of flood control.

Students practice their researching techniques by preparing a presentation with little notice.  In this information research lesson plan, students utilize the Internet to research one of several subtopics concerning panthers....