Curated OER
Bye-Bye Bison
Fourth graders investigate the bison's struggle for survival. They discuss the importance of bison while participating in an role playing activity showing how important the food supply and surroundings are to their survival.
National Geographic
Spot Where You DON'T Get Your Seafood
When your class is examining the fishing industry or sustainable practices, you can use this brief activity to demonstrate the global impact our food choices have. Overharvesting, overfishing, and bycatch are important topics to address...
Curated OER
Why Are The Shore Birds Dying?
Students engage in a field study of birds and how they are in danger harm due to environmental factors. They list different possible causes in a prediction activity. The observations are done while writing up data and connecting it to a...
Curated OER
Zebra Mussels
In this zebra mussels worksheet, 7th graders read an article about zebra mussel populations in United States' lakes and rivers. Students read about the negative effects and some positive results and then answer several questions about...
National Geographic
Eat an Alien Invader
If you are looking for a lesson about invasive species to ocean habitats, you have arrived! Introduce the concept to learners and have them read an article about marine invasive species. Vocabulary, relevant web links, and a cute...
Curated OER
Cicada Invasion
Students consider how some animals, periodical cicadas, survive well in a particular environment due to the species' life cycle. They have a discussion about life cycles and how a particular species' life cycle helps it to survive....
Curated OER
Periodical Cicada Survival
Students explore defense mechanisms involved in predatory/prey relationships.They engage in a discussion about predatory/prey interactions. They reflect on the life cycle and behavior of the cicada.
Curated OER
Endangered Species 2: Working to Save Endangered Species
Students explore the Endangered Species Act and the work of scientists who strive to protect species.
Curated OER
Creating Climographs
Pupils chart statistical information on graphs, interpret the information and use it to explain spatial relationships, and identify the relationship between climate and vegetation.
Curated OER
Sharks ~ Taking a Bite Out of the Myth
The first thing to know about this activity is that the commercial fisheries data for the activity no longer seems to be available. That being said, there are fascinating links to other websites, some about the comparative odds of being...
Curated OER
Gone Fishing
Students examine the effects of various methods of fishing on fish populations and biodiversity. They read a handout, participate in a simulation of different fishing methods, record the results, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
the Wonder of Wetlands
Students explore the importance of the wetland ecosystem, its properties and functions, as well as, the many birds, animals, and plant life found there.
Curated OER
Mammals of Wisconsin
Students explore the exciting world of mammals as they learn the identities of some Wisconsin native residents. They examine their adaptations and learn how they survive in a state with a wide array of temperatures and ecosystems.
Michigan Sea Grant
Sea Lamprey
Learners discuss the types of technology that are used to control the population of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. They explain the parasite/host relationship and understand the devastating impact invasive species have on ecosystems....
Curated OER
Historical Harbor Habitats
Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. For this ecology lesson, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the harbor and...
Curated OER
Dare to Care for a Grizzly Bear
Learners examine the relationship between humans and grizzly bears. In this biology instructional activity, students research about the bear's habits and living environment. They write a letter to the US Fish and Wildlife Service...
Curated OER
Managing Wildlife
Learners explore the relationship between wildlife and humans in northern New England. They also brainstorm ideas on why they think some species are greater in population than others in a given area.
Curated OER
Tornadoes
Middle schoolers examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
Curated OER
Salmon Life Cycles
Students list salmon life cycle stages in order, list three threats that salmon face throughout their lives, and examine important role native fish play in aquatic food chains throughout their life cycles.
Curated OER
Invasion of the (Cactus) Booty Snatchers
Pupils, in groups of four,identify and analyze relationships among birds within a population, a community and an urban ecosystem. They fill out, while they're completing their experiments, a Populations of Birds Student Data Sheet.
Curated OER
Exploring Ecology
Students explore the basics of ecology through numerous hands-on and relevant activities. They participate in an online food chain demonstration, which explores food web dynamics. They dissect owl pellets, examine the prey's bones, and...
Curated OER
Loss of Wetlands: Subsidence
Students observe subsidence and the effect it has on wetlands with a classroom demonstration. They think about the impact of global warming and the sea level and how it affects the marsh.
Curated OER
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
High schoolers survey and describe a stream ecosystem. They sample the benthic macroinvertebrate populations of a given stream and determine community structure through the use of the Chandler Index and a species diversity index.