Students explore coral reef ecosystems.  In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform.  Students construct a miniature...

Students research the signs that panthers leave. In this panther track lesson, students conduct Internet research into the signs that panthers leave such as tracks, scat, scrapes, and scratches. They make a three-dimensional poster using...

Students investigate the three types of material stress related to rocks. They watch a PowerPoint Presentation, view an online animation of the three types of rock stress, identify the various types of rocks, answer true or false...

Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...

Students discuss how local weather patterns effect or relate to global weather and environmental changes, explore connected nature of our planet, and examine global weather patterns, their changes, and their possible connection to global...

Students share thoughts about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana's natural environment. They read an online article and write proposals to save Mississippi River marshlands.

First graders work on patterns in nature and to recognize how different living things adapt to different environments such as the rain forest.

Students explore the uses of insulation and describe how insulation helps to conserve energy. They work in groups and use plastic, wool, paper and aluminum to experiment with the heat-retaining properties of various materials.

Students are introduced to the use of dichotomous keys as a simple means of beginning scientific observations in nature. They comprehend how to use a dichotomous key. Students distinguish characteristics of a group of organisms. They...

Students practice how to approach a problem scientifically. They use their senses to make a detailed description of a natural object and to generate hypotheses about the identity and features of the object hidden within a box.

Students explore the light spectrum. The teacher uses holographic diffraction grafting film on an overhead to demonstrate the true nature of color. After observing a vivid rainbow, students recognize that white light is composed of all...

Young scholars research endangered species.  In this ecology and literacy research instructional activity, students work with a partner to research an endangered species of their choice. Young scholars choose from a variety of...

Students discover the importance of seeds in relationship to nature.  In this plant growth lesson plan, students create a collection of seeds and discover the best type of environment to plant them.  Students plant their own...

Young scholars become responsible and involved citizens. For this t-shirt printing lesson students design and create a teeshirt with a message about citizenship and responsibility. Natural objects are used as stamps.

Students use information from a variety of media to evaluate different artists' views on the human relationship to nature. From these sources, class discussion, and personal experience, students will synthesize a thoughtful,...

Students categorize animals according to their natural biomes using biome and animal flashcards.

Second graders create large, salt dough maps of Arkansas and the natural regions in the state created by geographical and morphological features.

Fifth graders pull a paper clip sitting on paper with a magnet beneath the paper. They experiment to see what happens if they substitute the paper with thicker paper and other materials (plywood, glass, foil, etc.)

Middle schoolers are introduced to how the process of evolution works. As a class, they review the characteristics of natural selection and how those with advantageous traits reproduce and survive. To test this theory of natural...

Students examine the causes of tsunamis and observe a table top wave making machine. They make model houses while working in groups so that the can see how different construction types work. They discuss how engineers can design and...

Students study the causes of different types and speeds of landslides. They determine that landslides are the result of gravity, friction, and the materials involved. They examine the step engineers are taking to prevent and avoid...

Tenth graders demonstrate that natural selection is an agent of evolution. They quantitatively apply the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to an imaginary population of fish. They utilize math and graphing skills, collecting and analyzing data,...

Students identify synapsis as the key event in meiosis. They explain how synapsis leads to the formation of haploid gametes. Exploration of the differences between the processes of mitosis and meiosis occur. In accordance, explanations...

Young scholars investigate various methods that animals use to warm up in cold weather. They also explore the science principals involved. They then identify a human parallel, discuss what we can learn from nature, and create multimedia...