Curated OER
Natural Inquirer
Students interview wildlife experts to gain information needed to research and write a report about an aquatic plant or animal affected by climate change.
Curated OER
Water World Story
Fourth graders write a story about how a drop of water may have traveled to school. They design a presentation on the water cycle.
Curated OER
Global Warming: The Greenhouse Effect Visualizer
Students work in small groups to study the various aspects of global weather and discuss the possibility of a Greenhouse Effect.
Curated OER
Ecology
Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.
Curated OER
Is Air a Fluid?
Students discuss the physical properties of fluids and then demonstrate that air carbon dioxide and oxygen) is a fluid by creating currents.
Curated OER
Frozen Film
Students are introduced to the topic of light interference through this hands-on activity. They observe how light reflects off two surfaces and then meets to form an interesting variation of color on a film surface.
Curated OER
Conversions at Sea
Learners demonstrate problem solving skills. Students complete word problems requiring unit conversions. They convert both metric and standard units. Learners must determine necessary information to solve problems.
Curated OER
Strangers in Their Own Land
Students use interview techniques to explore the traditional wisdom of fishers, farmers, First Nations, and other peoples whose close relationship with nature gives them a deeper understanding of, and sensitivity toward, climatic cycles...
Curated OER
Design an Apartment
Students are given the task of designing an apartment. In groups, they practice estimating the area and perimeter of different shapes. After designing their space, they apply the same formulas to solving real-world story problems.
Curated OER
Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest: Science, 4th Grade
Fourth graders investigate weather patterns in their home state of Utah. After creating KWL charts, they research weather and geographical data to locate the state's extremes. As an extension, 4th graders write and illustrate books about...
Curated OER
Water Cycle
Students identify and define evaporation, condensation, precipitation and also, how these interact to complete the water cycle. They identify that water moves in a contimuous cycle, which is powered by the sun. Finally, students name...
Curated OER
Storms - What am I?
In this earth science worksheet, students use the clues to determine each of the stormy words in the puzzle. There are nine clues listed on the sheet.
Curated OER
Zoology Word Search Puzzle
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers look for the words that are related to the concept of zoology that is reviewed in the sheet. They also acquire new vocabulary.
Curated OER
Reptile Crossword
In this crossword puzzle activity, students read the clues and complete the crossword puzzle with vocabulary about reptiles. Students complete 17 clues.
Curated OER
The Dead Zone: A Marine Horror Story
Students graph dissolved oxygen versus depth using data taken from NECOP Program. In this marine science lesson, students explain the causes of hypoxia. They recommend possible solutions to this problem.
Curated OER
Chasing El Nino
For this El Nino worksheet, students review this specific change in the climate cycle by completing 20 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Exploring Life in the Coral Reef
Students study life forms in coral reefs. For this ocean life lesson, students study life in coral reefs as they create a coral reef sculpture.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Ocean Temperature
A unit where students explore the seasons by researching the change in ocean temperature at different times of the year and different locations. Lesson includes teacher guide and student worksheets.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanography Institute: Deep Ocean Circulation
What causes the circulation of ocean waters that are too deep to be affected by wind? Find out how salinity and temperature drive the deep sea currents. This resource has several videos and an online quiz.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
NASA
Nasa: El Nino
A concise explanation of El Nino. Discusses global wind patterns and ocean temperatures. Offers interactive weather-related learning activities.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Do Hurricanes Cool the Ocean?
If you've ever so much as watched a news clip about a hurricane, you probably know that hurricanes draw their power from warm ocean waters. If that is true, does it mean that hurricanes actually cool the ocean down when they pass...
NOAA
Noaa: National Weather Service: Jetstream: The Ocean
Online school for weather presents a complete guide to the ocean and its effect on our weather such as El Nino, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Explores layers of the ocean, sea water, waves, tides, rip currents, and more. A review...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Great Ocean Conveyor Belt: Part I
This image from GRID-Arendal depicts the major circulation pattern of the ocean, illustrating interactions between temperature, salinity, and depth. Includes a background reading handout and several discussion questions.