NASA
Producers Make Their Own Food
During an inquiry-based lesson, scholars decide which variable to test and then design an experiment to determine the needs of producers. After two weeks, they complete a full analysis and research paper.
Curated OER
WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
Virginia Department of Education
Go with the Flow
How does nature's hierarchy relate to our local human environment? Answer this question, along with others, as the class visually depicts the natural hierarchy provided by nature. Pupils discuss each piece of the pyramid and its energy...
Curated OER
Where Do Green Plants Get Energy?
Fourth graders realize that plants need light, water, and carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis. They participate in groups of 4 to plant (with materials provided) a test group of beans to compare to the control group, write a...
Curated OER
How Much Water Does A Tree Transpire In A Day
Students engage in a lesson plan of investigating the amount of water that is transpired in a one day cycle. They conduct research to find the purpose of transpiration and find information to explain the value to a plant and explain how...
Curated OER
It's Challenging Being Green!
Students influence the plant life cycle as they take care of plants.In this caring for plants lesson, students understand the parts of the plant and their functions in keeping it alive. Students participate in experiments with plants and...
Curated OER
Digital Mitosis and Claymation
Take mitosis and meiosis out of the biology textbook and onto the screen! An innovative class project prompts young biologists to create an animation movie using clay, showing the phases involved in mitosis or meiosis by moving the...
Curated OER
Breathe In, Breath Out
Young scholars discover how plants breathe. In this biology lesson plan, students learn that plants take in carbon dioxide and find that plants need sunlight to absorb the carbon dioxide.
Curated OER
Cell-ebrations in Science
Learners recognize that all living things are made up of cell and that they cannot easily be seen by the naked eye. Students become familiar with the use of microscopes as a tool for investigation.
Curated OER
Exploring the Sun's Role in Living Systems
Students create graphic organizer webs that illustrate their thinking about seasonal physical and biological changes caused by changes in sunlight. They identify the central role of sunlight in living systems.
Curated OER
Rain Forests: Sustainable Use
Students discuss their opinion on a teacher given scenario. In this chemistry lesson, students research the value of rainforests. They relate these ideas to current forestry practices.
Curated OER
Carnivorous Plants: A Bugs Nightmare!
Students research carnivorous plants and how they trap insects. They role play as botanists to write a research field guide about a newly discovered imaginary carnivorous plant.
NASA
Consumers Get Energy From Other Living Things
How do plants and animals get their food? Learn about where energy comes from, how animals store energy, and aerobic respiration, in a activity that allows scholars to diagram energy flows.
Virginia Department of Education
A Salt Marsh Ecosystem
What a web we weave. Pupils use yarn as the primary resource to create a web depicting the intricacies of a salt marsh ecosystem. They participate in a question and answer session, which leads to an in-depth facilitated discussion about...
Virginia Department of Education
Organisms in Symbiosis
Searching for an activity that allows emerging biologists to explore symbiosis up close and personal? Pupils collect samples and view lichens through a microscope and conclude with a discussion about the relationship they have with other...
Curated OER
Just What are you Eating?
Students identify and articulate pros and cons of genetically modified foods (GMF) including references to scale of controversy worldwide. Students then identify where they might find GMFs in their diets, read different opinion pieces on...
Curated OER
Historical Harbor Habitats
Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. In this ecology instructional activity, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the...
Curated OER
Oxygen Factory
Fourth graders examine the interdependence of the oxygen and carbon dioxide cycle in an ecosystem through a laboratory investigation. After a lecture/demo, 4th graders complete the lab in groups.
Curated OER
The Global Impact of Insect Borne Diseases & Agriculture
Pupils study the global impact of insect borne diseases, the appropriate use of pesticides, and the concept of human interrelations on a world wide scale. They examine how to safely apply a pesticide, according to the label.
Curated OER
Smog Be Gone
Young scholars begin the lesson by identifying greenhouse gases. In groups, they observe and record the effect of the gases on the atmosphere and the temperature of the Earth. They participate in activities that describe the role of...
Curated OER
Food Type And Calories Per Square Meter
Students compare the efficiency of producing food calories in different types of food then calculate how much land is required to supply their food for a year. They then graph the results.