Students apply their knowledge of the characteristics of living things to unknown creatures to determine whether they can be considered "alive." They watch a Star Trek episode, then describe the characteristics of life.

Young scholars review the classification system for living organisms and apply it the classification of insects and flowers in the still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert. They create a chart classifying the animals and plants in the painting...

Students conduct a hands-on experiment growing crystals to demonstrate the nature of science as inquiry. They discuss and test variables that affect crystal growth. They research mineral crystallization and mineral formation on the...

Students investigate the presence of specific organisms in a freshwater habitat to determine the quality of that habitat. They conduct a field study and distinguish and classify organisms found during the field study.

Students comprehend the nutrition benefits whole grain breads. They explore how to overcome the common barriers to eating whole grain bread. Students investigate how to choose and store whole grain breads. They comprehend the...

Investigate the structure of seeds and the effects of fertilizer on the growth of plants. Young scientists observe a peanut and determine if it is a monocot or dicot plant. They plant seeds and make varying solutions of fertilizer, then...

Students study the different parts of a flower and their functions.  In this pollination instructional activity students study a flower under a microscope. 

Students examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope lesson, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Students also build knowledge on how compound...

Students explore the reproductive functions of flowers by participating in a flower dissection lab.

Students state reasons why spiders are grouped in specific categories, including what distinguishes a spider from an insect. They report on their observations of the spiders. They illustrate their report with drawings in their journals.

Sixth graders conduct experiments with yeast to study characteristics of microorganisms. They, working is small groups, change the variables in the experiments and note the results which they later discuss as a class.

Second graders investigate how a rainbow is made. They listen to the book "What Makes a Rainbow," and discuss how a rainbow is created. Students then conduct an experiment involving pouring a cup of milk into a bowl and adding drops of...

Learners in second grade are paired with fifth grade computer research buddies. They observe the characteristics of caterpillars, and identify the four stages of the caterpillar to butterfly life cycle. They graph the number of...

Students determine the story elements of typical mystery stories including characters and plot structure. They look at vocabulary that is common to mystery stories before reading and responding to mystery chapter books. Working in guided...

Young scholars study insects. They go on an outdoor insect outing and look for insects in a variety of places--in the air, under rocks, on leaves, in water, etc. They record information about the insects they find, including habitat,...

Students explore ocean environments. In this ocean environment lesson, students identify the things ocean animals need for survival. Students use KWL charts and search the Internet collecting information about ocean habitats....

Students explore the world of insects and discover what it might be like to live like one. They create an insect with physical characteristics and demonstrate how it moves. Students also compare and contrast insects to spiders and how...

Young scholars use the scientific method to determine physical and chemical properties of unknown substances. In this scientific method lesson plan, students discuss chemical and physical properties of substances as a class after a...

Students investigate a frog's life cycle. In this tadpole lesson, students observe tadpoles in an aquarium and record results. Students fill in a KWL chart as an assessment.

Young scholars swab different sections of the tongue to identify taste buds. In this sense of taste lesson, students make predictions and conduct an experiment. Young scholars experiment with a variety of flavors and discuss...

Students observe different animals with bilateral symmetry. For this biology lesson, students compare how these animals move. They discuss the evolutionary history of observed animals.

Young scholars discuss different ways engineers use light. In this engineering lesson, students are introduced to the properties of light and the way light is used. They view a demonstration of light waves using a slinky, and practice...

First graders identify the roles and responsibilities of various school workers. They identify the skills that school workers need to complete their jobs. Students discuss what a role is. They discuss the term responsibility.