Build a dam in the middle of an ecosystem and observe how the population of plants and animals adapt to their new environment with this science simulation. Learn how the populations adapt to survive in their new habitat. Then remove the...

Students use their senses to observe nature then sketch a plant and/or animal in their science journals using detail and color. Using these sketches, they will create classroom books which are shared with the class.

Come explore with Elinor! Use the tools provided to observe your environment as you take a nature walk. What will you find?

Detailed lesson plans and materials designed for ELL/ESL students that has them observing, discussion and writing about, and from the perspective of, plants and animals. Students create a book (may be bilingual) to be reviewed by peers....

Students focus their observations during a nature hike by recording their observations on a sheet of paper which has been horizontally divided into thirds. Alongside the divisions is a stick figure with the top of the head touching the...

In this biology lab students will compare two sample populations of sunflower seeds. Comparison of the two populations will be done through the generation of a histogram for each population. One population will be black oil sunflower...

Students are introduced to our planet's structure and its dynamic system of natural forces through an examination of the natural hazards of earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis, floods and tornados, as well as avalanches, fires,...

Smithsonian in the Classroom presents "Introduction to the Nature Journal." Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students will practice and develop their skills of writing observations and making hypotheses....

Smithsonian in the Classroom presents "Introduction to the Nature Journal." Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students will practice and develop their skills of writing observations and making hypotheses....

Take a submersible down to the seafloor. As you descend, passing through the ocean's sunlight, twilight, and midnight zones, you can observe how temperature, pressure, and light levels change. When your submersible reaches the seafloor,...

The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center offers a portfolio of arctic animals. A page dedicated to each animal provides a physical description, personal observations of the animal in the wild, and several pictures.

PlantWatch is a Canadian program that uses volunteers to record data about a variety of plant species in each province and territory, and then submit their observations. Monitoring plants provides valuable information about the health of...

Students will take a nature field trip to practice their observational skills and then communicate their findings through drawing, writing, and sharing.

In this activity, students will be introduced to nature journaling and discover the importance of detail accuracy in scientific drawings when used to observe and identify objects.

Why do scientists use a nature journal? This activity is designed to introduce students to learning the routine for using a nature journal and practice using their observation skills and descriptive writing skills in their journal...

Guidelines for investigating fossils in the field include specimen-finding strategies, dos and don'ts, examples of the kinds of fossils you may see, and other helpful information, such as how to record your observations and finds in a...

This lesson incorporates inexpensive materials such as carton boxes, toilet paper roll tube, strings and toothpicks. It engages learners to conduct pattern observation, prediction, testing and ends up with a model construction. It also...

FrogWatch is a Canadian program that uses volunteers to record data about a variety of frog species across the country, and then submit their observations. Monitoring frogs provides valuable information about the health of ecosystems and...

WormWatch is a Canadian program that uses volunteers to observe changes in the earthworms in their environments, and submit their observations. Monitoring earthworms provides valuable information about the health of local soils so that...

Young scholars begin this lesson by making observations and recording evidence of the variety of living things in local nature site. Students use reference materials to research predators and food of the animals they observed, then...

In this lab, students will collect insects while making close observations of living things. They will then classify insects into seven common groups based on characteristics discussed in the classroom.

Pack your bags and go around the world with scientists from the American Museum of Natural History whose research into the DNA of different animal species takes them into the field.

For this experiment, students will investigate magnets and how they work. They will understand that two like poles "repel" while opposite poles "attract." They will also observe how a natural force is created by two magnets and answer...

Students explore the different ways mammals move by observing them walk, hop, gallop, swim and swing in animations. Facts about habitat and structure are also included in these animations.