Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Algal Blooms

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this algal blooms worksheet, students order the stages of a red tide. They answer two short answer questions. Students define three terms relating to algal blooms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diatom Ooze

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore seafloor sediment. In this ocean environment lesson, students describe the characteristics of different types of seafloor sediment and oozes. They compare and discuss locations of sediments and oozes by plotting the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drawing Fish

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Young scholars practice creating art by imitating the camouflage of fish. In this animal characteristic lesson, students identify certain fish and their ability to change colors in order to survive in the wild. Young scholars utilize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tanker Spills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
Lesson Plan
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Hawaiian Hot Spots

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science activity, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a story...
Lesson Plan
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Winds Go Spinning Around

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
Lesson Plan
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Stranded along the Coast

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students plot stranding sites onto a map using latitude and longitude as well as compass directions with respect to coastal features. They identify several species of marine animals that might become stranded; distinguish their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the water cycle and evaporation. They study the porosity and permeability of groundwater, and the capillary action in soil in this unit.
Lesson Plan
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Fallout!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the locations of fallout from two disasters that polluted much of the world's air. They plot the ash fallout from the 1980 Mt. St. Helen's eruption to see what the wind patterns in the United States look like overall. Next...
Lesson Plan
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Air Pollution Over Where?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars predict the movement of an air borne pollutant using their understanding of air currents. They determine which governments and/or communities should be contacted to be forewarned. They also explore the properties of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes: Mount Vesuvius

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explain how volcanoes form. In this earth science lesson, students identify the different types of volcanoes. They create brochures about Mt. Vesuvius before and after the eruption.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Myth-try Cards Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read creation myths to learn various cultural explanations for natural phenomena. They select sharks and write myths to explain physical structures, behaviors or roles in ecosystems. They research the animals to provide...
Lesson Plan
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Mud Fossils

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars observe real fossils. In this science instructional activity, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Young scholars then get the fossils...
Lesson Plan
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Climate Change

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discuss problems associated with a world climate change. They examine how animals would be affected if the world heated up.
Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Can We Absorb Nanoparticle Pollutants?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! A growing concern for environmental scientists is toxic nanoparticles in our air and water. Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how these particles can cross our...
Lesson Plan
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Plate Patterns

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read about a volcano and use the latitude and longitude information to plot and describe the volcano on the map. They discuss patterns seen on the map. In addition, they color code a map according to zones, plates, etc.
Lesson Plan
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Plate Patterns

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students review the patterns they discovered from a previous activity.  In this investigative lesson students plot data as a class and color a map. 
Lesson Plan
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John H. Ritter Novels

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read the books writing by John H. Ritter and complete discussion questions about them. In this reading lesson plan, students answer discussion questions for 4 different books.
Lesson Plan
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Alien Invasion

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars research how alien species can change an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson, students describe invasive species and site evidence how these species came to be invasive and what control measures are possible.
Lesson Plan
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Where's the Beach?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use beach profile data to analyze how erosion and sediment transport changed seashore slopes. In this geology lesson, students plot the data provided and analyze erosion patterns. They also assess coastal erosion management...