Students become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.

Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing activity, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...

Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...

Students study a variety of global wetland habitats, their similarities and differences. They examine the variety of life that such wetlands support and determine that many animals and plants are adapted to life in wetlands, that...

Students study a local ecosystem and research the organisms to create a food web. In this ecosystem lesson, students view a video and answer questions. They visit a local ecosystem and make a list of organisms to research. Students...

Students create an ecosystem in a jar to show a model of the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle. Working in small groups, they research and present orally the information they find on this cycle.

In this protozoan learning exercise, students use the internet research 20 short answer questions about micro-organisms from Amoebas to Parameciums. They also read a poem and write there own based on the researched information.

Students investigate the differences between a land and aquatic ecosystem. They use the information in order to present it in an assessment. There are target questions that can be used to guide research, lead a classroom discussion, or...

How do we affect the ecosystem, and what can we do to preserve it? Pupils explore chemicals that promote and inhibit plant growth, then discuss the importance of nitrogen and phosphorus to the survival of organisms and describe how...

Students, in groups, create a slide show about the ecosystem and answer critical thinking questions based on their research.

Students determine the characteristics of a stream ecosystem and its organisms.  For this water ecology lesson students complete several labs that shows them presence of life, water appearance, and water flow.

Students examine some of the different ecosystems that fish live in. While doing this they identify the species of fish and the ecological conditions needed for survival. Students use research resources to make fish cards that have...

Eighth graders identify the parts and functions of the microscope. In this biology instructional activity, 8th graders observe different samples under different types of microscopes. They compare and contrast the details they see.

Third graders research ecosystems, the work of ecologists, John Muir's contribution to the environment and an endangered species of their choice. They read books, participate in discussions, and write reports.

Students research a species of bug that they find in a pond.  In this species lesson plan students work in groups and find the similarities and differences between different species of bugs. 

Learners read the novel, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. In groups, they conduct research using the Internet, encyclopedias, and books to gather information on an assigned colony. The projects are presented to the rest of the class.

Students research island formation, plot locations on a map and make an analysis of why some islands are formed where they are.

Students discover the reproductive parts of a plant.  In this biology lesson, students identify and categorize several different plants they dissect in class.  Students record their information using a data chart.

Fifth graders discuss ways that humans pollute our natural water supply. They observe a video about water pollution. Students identify eight different ways water is contaminated. They investigate an oil spill by conducting a hands-on...

Students explore a hardwood forest. In this forest ecology lesson, students examine the diversity and animals and plants as they explore their habitats at Poricy Park Conservatory. Students determine how biodiversity and abiotic elements...

Students study animals. In this science lesson, students make plaster casts of animals that live in the area. Students identify the tracks.

Learners watch a video about aquatic communities. They conduct an experiment that shows how movement of rivers change the landscape. They compare fresh and salt water communities and its wildlife.

Students engage in a series of activities geared towards studying the author Henry David Thoreau. They use different sources to obtain information to create context for future lessons. Students attempt to model their own lives to that of...

Students gather information about pond life including plants, animals and insects through research field observations, and specimen collections. Students report their information along with original illustrations through a series of...